Boston Celtics: Complete grades for the 2019 NBA offseason
By Adam Taylor
Drafting Grant Williams
Selected at No. 22 in the draft, Grant Williams brings a high basketball IQ and ferocious work ethic to this team from day one.
Undersized for his position, but stocky and able to absorb contact down low, with a respectable inside game, Williams averaged 18.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists during his final year in college.
No word better describes what Grant Williams brings to the Boston Celtics better than versatility. He is already endearing himself to the Celtics fans with his knowledge of the team’s history and joyousness of being drafted by the franchise.
He displayed a well-rounded game in Summer League, averaging 13.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1,0 steals per game.
While his game in college was predicated on post play, it will not be so easy for Williams to consistently reproduce this in the NBA. Williams seems to understand this, and has already responded by increasing his 3-point attempts by almost 3 shots a game in Summer League.
Impact winning — this seems to be Williams favorite phrase during his early press conferences, a motto it seems he wants to install on his rookie classmates.
With the lack of stretch bigs on the Celtics roster and Williams’ willingness to improve and help the team however he can, you can expect to see him coming off the bench regularly this season when healthy.
In a draft void of star talent outside of the top three, the Celtics have landed a role player who could enjoy a long career in the league.
With some improvements to his outside shot, play-making (dribble hand-offs) and contributing on the defensive end, the Celtics have a very good player on their hands.