Boston Celtics: Evaluating their young players at the mid-way point
Grant Williams
After being selected in the first round of the 2019 NBA Draft, Grant Williams proved his worth during his rookie year last season for the Boston Celtics. Williams logged in five starts in 69 games and was the only rookie on the team who didn’t make an appearance in the G-League with the Maine Red Claws.
Coming into Boston after an impressive three year stint at Tennessee where he became a two-time SEC Player of the Year, Williams was drafted as an intelligent and well-rounded player who the Celtics had high expectations for early on in his career. As a 6’6” power forward, Williams has played a lot of center during his first season in the NBA despite being undersized.
Mainly due to his high basketball IQ, but partly because Celtics coach Brad Stevens acknowledges the versatility and flexibility in Williams stretching between the forward and center positions in any game. But more importantly, he understands how to cover and play transition defense in coach Stevens’ system.
However, we’re starting to see major improvements in Williams’ offensive repertoire so far during his second season. Some notable growth of development this season from Williams has been his overall shooting, passing, and play making as a whole.
I love to see young players use new skills. As a rookie, Grant Williams was a pick-and-pop/spot-up guy. Now, Brad Stevens is using him in some of the old Al Horford sets. Here's two plays. First, Williams as a distributor. Tatum cuts and it's on Williams to hit the pass on-time. pic.twitter.com/zBq7NQUgHe
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) December 26, 2020
The great thing about Williams is he eventually always makes the right play that will impact the outcome of a game, despite how well or poorly he has played throughout, and that’s an important element for this Celtics team.
Williams is averaging 5.3 points and 2.9 rebounds per game this season. The most noteworthy development from Williams has been his perimeter shooting. It took one offseason to do so, but Williams is now a confident and capable 3-point shooter for the Celtics.
Moving forward, Williams is an important piece to the puzzle for the Boston Celtics. In proving so, the Boston Celtics have signed the team option for Williams through the 2021-22 season.