Celtics forward Grant Williams, who underwent hand surgery on Friday, originally injured his hand in March but exacerbated the issue during Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals when he was battling Bam Adebayo for a rebound, sources tell Jared Weiss of The Athletic.
While it’s not unusual for NBA players to undergo minor surgeries after the season to address nagging injuries, the timing is unfortunate for Williams, who will still be recovering from the procedure when he reaches restricted free agency on July 1.
There’s no indication that the surgery will impact Williams’ availability for 2023/24, but the Celtics and any rival suitors will want to get a sense of how the 24-year-old’s recovery is going before committing big money to him. According to Weiss, Williams was also affected this past season by a ligament strain in his right elbow, but he’s expected to let that injury heal without undergoing a separate procedure.
Here’s more on the Celtics:
- In a mailbag for The Athletic, Weiss discusses several Celtics-related topics, including whether or not Jaylen Brown is a legitimate trade candidate this offseason and what Williams’ restricted free agency could look like. Weiss explains that Boston’s ideal outcome would be to re-sign Williams and continue developing his offensive game so that he’s a more reliable presence on that end of the court.
- If Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard were to request a trade out of Portland, the Celtics wouldn’t be on his list of preferred destinations, according to Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report and TNT (hat tip to RealGM). Asked during an appearance on The Dan Patrick Show about a hypothetical trade of Lillard to Boston, Haynes stopped Patrick before he could finish his question. “He’s not doing Boston,” Haynes said. “… I think that’s pretty safe to say.”
- Chris Paul is the sort of seasoned backcourt veteran the Celtics could use, so they should show interest in him if he’s waived by Phoenix, opines Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe. Despite Paul’s age, he remains one of the NBA’s best “offensive orchestrators” when he’s healthy, Washburn writes, adding that the point guard could help Boston capitalize on its championship window.
I keep hearing reports the Celtics want to trade Brown for another star like Lillard. Shouldn’t they want to keep Brown and ADD a 3rd star? I’m curious to hear other people’s opinions!
I’m a very long time Celtics fan who likes to read everything Celtics related…. And I’m calling bs on your post… I have not come across a legitimate or even speculative article, video, etc of the C’s wanting to trade Brown for another star. I’d love for you to post some links… Or admit you’re full of sh*t if you can’t. Not trying to throw stones, but I’d be shocked if I missed a LEGIT article on this one..
You keep hearing reports about trading Jaylen Brown from the “experts” in the sports media. Not from the Celtics. Someone said Jaylen and Jayson Tatum can’t play together & has been saying this for years. It really is divisive & wildly speculative talk as the Celtics have come very close for the last two years. Go Celtics!
The only time he can say he heard it from them was when the nets asked for Brown in a trade for Durant… And Stevens even came out and said that they asked for Brown, the C’s never offered him. I haven’t read or watched a thing about the C’s trading Brown, outside of obscure YouTubers looking for views. Like I said, full of bs.
Boston fans being to racist is coming back to bite them as big name players avoid wanting to go there. No to mention look at the likes of Kemba and Kyrie and how they flamed out and we’re made the escape goat.
No surprise Dame doesn’t want to go there
No one wants to play for Boston
When I say “reports” I should clarify: sports talk radio. I’d rather keep Brown and try to add another star.
Why don’t players want to come to Boston?