NBA rumors: Trail Blazers laugh Heat off, Celtics trade hopes, more

Celtics hoping for absurd price for Grant Williams

In addition to the Celtics keeping things open-ended in regards to Jaylen Brown, Boston has also yet to extend Grant Williams. Williams, a restricted free agent this summer, is eligible to receive offer sheets from other interested teams on July 6th that could easily drive up the price for the Celtics. So why don’t they get a deal done now?

Well, a few reasons. Firstly, Williams probably wants more than the mid-level exception the Celtics are rumored to be interested in securing him for. Secondly, the Celtics state of flux right now with possible trades means they could look to include Williams in a sign-and-trade instead.

This morning, I looked at Williams and how he and Brown could be the centerpieces of a sign-and-trade for Damian Lillard.

The Celtics, according to Jared Weiss (subscription required), want a first-round pick in return for Williams. That price feels remarkably high for a player of Williams’ caliber if the pick isn’t protected. But perhaps aggregating that value with that of Brown for Lillard is something that would be acceptable to the Celtics, too.

We’ll have a better idea in just a few days what the future may hold for Williams in the NBA once we hear what sort of offers roll in.