The Cleveland Cavaliers “are monitoring the situation” as it relates to restricted free agent Grant Williams, according to Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor.
The Cavs could offer Williams the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, which is worth $12.4 million. Fedor also floated the idea of a sign-and-trade with Boston that included Cedi Osman draft compensation.
The Celtics have the option of matching any offer sheet Williams signs, and he has expressed a willingness to stay in Boston.
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But many fans are questioning his long-term future with the team, especially in the wake of the Kristaps Porziņģis trade.
The Celtics will pay $100.4 million to the trio of Porziņģis, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown in 2023-24. They’ll combine to make even more moving forward if Porziņģis and Brown, who are in the final year of their contracts, both re-sign.
Boston might have a film ceiling on what it’s willing to give a role players such as Williams.
The Cavaliers head into free agency with a clear need to upgrade at the wing, an area Williams doesn’t necessarily address since he has primarily deployed as a power forward.
But the 24-year-old is a 37.9 percent three-point shooter and possesses the ability to guard multiple positions. He’d be a good fit in the frontcourt alongside Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.
Cleveland experimented with Lauri Markkanen in a similar role in 2021-22 and went on to finish fifth in defensive rating (108.9), per NBA.com. The 7’0″ Markkanen was a much less natural choice to occupy the 3 than Williams would be.
Williams is likely to have a few different options given both his skill set and what’s likely to be a reasonable value on his contract. Because of their limited spending power, getting him to Northeast Ohio in the first place could be a challenge.
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