Celtics' Free Agency Outlook and Top Contract Decisions Following Trade Deadline

The Boston Celtics have built a bulldozer of an NBA roster—and they know it.

Essentially, their entire core is under contract beyond next season, and the majority of it is signed for even longer.

That leads to what should be a pretty drama-free offseason, though it's possible a premature playoff exit could change that in a hurry. Assuming the Shamrocks don't go sideways in the postseason, they won't have nearly as many questions to answer this summer as their peers. They do, however, have a few things to sort out, so let's break them down here.

Upcoming Free Agents

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DENVER, CO - JANUARY 1: Former Denver Nuggets player Danilo Gallinari #8 of the Boston Celtics talks with Equipment Manager Sparky Gonzales of the Denver Nuggets on January 1, 2023 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

As far as Boston's rotation regulars are concerned, Grant Williams is really the only free agent worth fretting about. And even then, it's hard to tell how big of a deal his free agency is since it's restricted, meaning the Celtics will have the right of refusal should he sign an offer sheet elsewhere.

That's very much a possibility, though. While Williams has held his own as the Celtics' third big, maybe some other suitor thinks he could slide into their starting power forward spot. He's a versatile frontcourt defender who's on course to splash 40-plus percent of his threes for the second consecutive season. He also just turned 24 in November, so chances are we haven't seen his best basketball yet.

Of course, maybe all of the above is merely motivation for Boston to keep him from reaching the open market. Given Robert Williams III's injury history and Al Horford's age (he'll turn 37 in June), Boston needs a reliable insurance policy up front.

Outside of Grant Williams, the Celtics don't have anyone of significance ticketed for free agency. Blake Griffin is on an expiring contract, but he hasn't had a regular role all season. Danilo Gallinari has a player option for next season, but picking it up might be the smart move after losing this season to an ACL tear. Mike Muscala has a team option, and Luke Kornet's salary is non-guaranteed, so if Boston isn't enamored with its frontcourt rotation, it could move on from one or both bigs.

Toughest Decisions

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 25: Grant Williams #12 of the Boston Celtics reacts after making a three point basket against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on February 25, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Celtics defeated the 76ers 110-107. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

It's debatable how difficult of a decision re-signing Williams actually is, but he still lands here by default.

Of course, that's not to suggest that keeping Williams is a mere formality. The Celtics could have plenty to think about if his price tag exceeds their expectations.

Earlier this month, Marc Stein reported that Williams is "said to be seeking" an annual salary of $20 million. That's a ton of coin for someone who wouldn't crack the starting lineup without injury issues in front of him. If that really is his going rate, that might be too rich for Boston to bite.

Still, the fact Williams is a restricted free agent gives the Celtics some leverage and perhaps opens the door to sign-and-trade possibilities if the two sides can't come to an agreement on a new contract.

Alternatives

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TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 21: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics walks the floor alongside Payton Pritchard #11 during the first half of their NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on January 21, 2023 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)

Again, barring a playoff flop, Boston's summer checklist seems pretty straightforward.

The Celtics don't have a first-round pick (they traded it to the Indiana Pacers in last summer's Malcolm Brogdon deal), but they could have a few second-round picks at their disposal. They might have enough ammunition to climb the draft board if they like a certain prospect enough.

Should Boston fall well short of its playoff goals, though, that's where things could get interesting.

Might we hear a new round of rumblings about a Jaylen Brown trade? He could be in line for a massive contract extension this summer, as Celtics insider Chris Forsberg noted on NBC Sports Boston's Early Edition, and maybe Boston won't want to foot that bill. On a much smaller scale, the Celtics could also hit the trade market to shop around Payton Pritchard, who seemed less than jazzed about his role in this crowded backcourt group when speaking to Andre Iguodala and Evan Turner on the Point Forward podcast (h/t Brian Robb of MassLive.com).