Celtics Extend Multiple Qualifying Offers

As much as the Celtics would like to keep Grant Williams, he may prove a cap casualty.

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While the headline for the Celtics on Thursday was Kristaps Porzingis' introductory press conference, it was also the deadline for Boston to extend a pair of qualifying offers.

As first reported by Jared Weiss of The Athletic, the Celtics, as expected, extended an $8.5 million qualifying offer to Grant Williams, making him a restricted free agent.

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While the franchise's president of basketball operations, Brad Stevens, said Thursday that the team has the "green light" to add to its payroll, exceeding the second apron seems ill-advised.

Boston is $7.3 million from that threshold, per Spotrac. That's before signing second-round pick Jordan Walsh.

Perhaps the organization's already decided having Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown on supermax extensions, accounting for roughly 70 percent of their salary cap, is untenable, and that's shaping their current approach. If so, while restrictive, it's more acceptable to exceed the second apron.

Otherwise, it's best to avoid doing so, given the penalties becoming more severe and further encumbering roster-building efforts for repeat offenders.

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And if the Celtics go with that approach, it's a safe bet at least one of Williams and Malcolm Brogdon won't be back for the coming campaign.

But by making the former Tennessee Volunteer a restricted free agent, Boston can at least try to broker a sign-and-trade that would most likely create a traded player exception (TPE). But perhaps it gets them a player or draft capital.

The Celtics also extended a $1.8 million qualifying offer to JD Davison. Last year's second-round pick spent his rookie campaign on a two-way deal.

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Teams now get three of those under the NBA's new collective bargaining agreement, and it wouldn't be a surprise if that's how Boston keeps him in the fold for the 2023-24 season.

In 26 games with the organization's G League affiliate in Maine, Davison averaged 12.5 points, 8.7 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and nearly a steal per contest.

Further Reading

Brad Stevens Discusses Potential Porzingis Extension, Celtics' Ability to Spend More: 'We've Got the Green Light'

Kristaps Porzingis on Teaming with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown: 'I Think It Can Be a Great Combination'

Kristaps Porzingis Says Joining Celtics Was an 'Easy Decision'

Grant Williams Discusses Marcus Smart's Departure, Free Agency, and Recovery from Hand Surgery

The Latest Intel on Celtics' Restricted Free Agent Grant Williams

Jordan Walsh Let's Celtics Fan Know What He Brings to the Table: 'A Guy Who Wants to Do Whatever It Takes to Win'

Jordan Walsh Discusses Getting Drafted by Celtics, His Welcome to Boston

Brad Stevens Shares What Compelled Celtics to Trade for Kristaps Porzingis

Brad Stevens Discusses Difficult Decision to Trade Marcus Smart: 'He'll Always Have Boston'

After Trading Marcus Smart, Acquiring Kristaps Porzingis, Where Do Celtics Go from Here?

Marcus Smart Felt "Shock" and "Hurt" Over Trade from Boston Celtics

Marcus Smart Discusses Celtics' Identity, Relationship with Jaylen Brown, Boston's Coaching Hires, and Pursuit of Banner 18