A $27 Million Grant Williams Replacement Is Sent To The Celtics In The Proposed Trade

Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford of the Boston Celtics make up an exceptional frontcourt duo, but the depth of the Celtics’ frontcourt is lacking as a result of the losses of Robert Williams III, Grant Williams, Danilo Gallinari, Mike Muscala, and Blake Griffin.

Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report put out the following deal that would give the Celtics an Oklahoma City Thunder replacement for Grant Williams in order to address their lack of choices in the frontcourt.

Celtics receive: Kenrich Williams

Thunder receive: Luke Kornet, Svi Mykhailiuk, Dalano Banton, 2024 Celtics First-Round Pick (Top-20 protected)

“The Celtics have done enough tinkering for now, but they could soon discover this frontcourt lacks sufficient depth. Unless an Oshae Brissett breakout is in the works, Grant Williams’ absence could loom large over this team,” Buckey wrote in an October 19 story. “That’s what could draw Boston toward another Williams, as Kenrich possesses similar strengths as a multi-purpose defender and capable shot-maker.”

Buckley detailed why such a deal would be worth it for the Celtics.

“He has never shot the three-ball with a ton of volume (career 2.5 attempts per game), but some of his splash rates—37.3 percent this past season, 44.4 in 2020-21—suggest he could.

“The Celtics may have some reservations about parting with a first-round pick for a 28-year-old role player, but if forward depth looks like the final missing piece of their championship puzzle, that should be a relatively easy concession to make.”

Unless it becomes obvious that their depth is an issue, the Celtics are unlikely to upgrade their frontcourt. Williams is worth looking into if and when they do, but only if the Thunder are ready to let him go.

Calls for Blake Griffin to Re-Sign with the Celtics

Adam Fromal of Bleacher Report outlined the benefits of having Blake Griffin back if the Celtics want to strengthen their frontcourt.

“If Blake Griffin chooses to continue his NBA career rather than hanging up the sneakers, the 34-year-old would be hard-pressed to find a better landing spot than a return to the Boston Celtics,” Fromal wrote in an October 13 story. “The once-gravity-defying power forward may now be more useful as a locker room presence and veteran mentor than an on-court force of nature, but that’s even more important given the current state of the C’s.”

During the 2023 NBA Offseason, Griffin bragged about his stint with Boston but is still unsigned. The situation can alter, but according to Brad Stevens, Griffin is in control.

The Underrated Addition Oshae Brissett is Singled Out

Given the frontcourt options they currently have, the Celtics may not feel the need to acquire another player. Oshae Brissett, a new wing, was one of the offseason’s most underappreciated signings, according to John Hollinger.

“Brissett…is by far the best chance for Boston to get something above replacement-level production from what is the eighth spot in its rotation at full strength and a more prominent role if any of the top seven are out of the lineup,” Hollinger wrote in an October 11 story. “Despite being a bit undersized for the frontcourt, he mostly played the four in Indiana over the last four seasons, where he held up on the glass (12.0% career rebound rate) and showed good defensive awareness in a team concept.”

If Brissett proves himself to be an effective frontcourt piece, he may very well prove himself to be a Grant Williams replacement.