The Hornets are mulling the possibility of an offer sheet for Celtics restricted free agent forward Grant Williams, sources tell Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link). Williams has also drawn some interest from the Mavericks, according to Scotto.
The Hornets are currently operating as an over-the-cap team, which means they could offer up to the full $12.4MM mid-level exception in a deal for Williams. They have a potential path to creating cap room to make a stronger bid, but it would require renouncing the cap holds for multiple free agents, including their own RFA forwards P.J. Washington and Miles Bridges. The Hornets have also engaged in contract discussions with Washington, Scotto reports.
Here are a few more free agency notes and rumors from around the NBA:
- The third and final season of Fred VanVleet‘s new three-year deal with the Rockets will be a team option, according to Jackson Gatlin of Locked on Rockets (Twitter link). A non-guaranteed third year makes the deal look considerably more team-friendly — and considerably more like the two-year offer the Rockets were originally said to be preparing for the veteran point guard.
- Veteran center Edy Tavares, a second-round pick in 2014, has received a contract offer from the Trail Blazers, sources tell Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews.com. Tavares played just 13 games during his initial NBA stint, but is apparently earning another look after several strong seasons with Real Madrid, with whom he has won two EuroLeague titles and earned three All-EuroLeague First Team nods. However, Tavares’ contract includes a significant buyout, which may preclude a move stateside, Urbonas explains. His deal with Real Madrid will expire in 2024 if he doesn’t sign an extension before then.
- Donte DiVincenzo drew “strong” interest from three other teams during his free agency before he agreed to sign with New York, reports Ian Begley of SNY.tv (Twitter link). While DiVincenzo’s Villanova connection to Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart was a factor in his decision to join the Knicks, he also believes his new team can be a contender. “He wants to win and has a great opportunity to do so in New York,” a source said to Begley.
Huge Tavares fan here. I think he could be a legit backup center or a bottom of the league starting center.
I liked him too. Maybe Hasheem Thabeet and Jahil Okafor can help each other out
Grant Williams should get a solid deal on the open market. I’m not sure who’s going to come calling. If it’s the Charlotte Hornets or Dallas Mavericks. I would love to see him go back to the Boston Celtics. It won’t be smart on their part to lose all that toughness after they lost Marcus Smart. Marcus Smart was their heart and soul and leader of the team. They at least need to keep a guy that plays with a lot of heart and toughness and that’s a glue guy. If they lose Grant Williams as well mark my words the Boston Celtics will be taking a step back.
Now all he needs is an open market. Until he finds that, he’s stuck in one of the many tortured markets for NBA players, maybe the most tortured – the RFA market.
The Charlotte Hornets might just need to focus on bringing P.J. Washington back. He’s been solid and can really compliment LaMelo Ball Brandon Miller Mark Williams and Terry Rozier. Gordon Hayward is on an expiring deal. They might want to bring Kelly Oubre back on a low risk high reward type of deal.
I think it will be smart for them to let Miles Bridges go and try to find a deal out there. Or bring Miles Bridges back for cheap and let Kelly Oubre go. It’s some decisions that need to be made in Charlotte.
I hope Charlotte makes a move for Williams, and Portland is able to offer P.J. Washington a contract.
Why Charlotte wants Williams over Washington is beyond me.
It may not be a case of the Hornets wanting Williams over Washington. They may prefer Grant Williams over Bridges, which I’m more than onboard with. They could play with some different line up combinations then.
William’s on the MLE is fair value, probablymax value is 14-15M. He’s an okay role player that can shoot and defend. You won’t be successful overpaying role players. What team has that worked for?
At the time of their championship the Nuggets, Warriors, Bucks, and Lakers, Raptors, Cavs, Spura, and Heat had players on justifiable contracts – the only questionable salaries were maybe MPJ and Draymond, but both showed up at different times to play key roles in winning and Draymond was rewarded for past performances, and MPJ falls into that somehow every dude is a rookie max guy category. His contract maybe the only true overpay of the champs the last decade. Gasol could be another but his contract was acquired via trade.
And while you could argue Wiggins might not have deserved a max, he was the 2nd best player on that championship team, and the Warriors didnt give him that deal.
So circling back to bring this home… the Hornets shouldn’t reach and overpay, they aren’t a role player away. How did overpaying Hayward pan out?
You want to build a team around Melo and Miller? Trade for it or draft it.
Donte is more than a shooter. Great addition for Knicks. Just makes me wonder about Grimes.
Is there any chance G Williams comes to Knicks once Fournier is gone?