Grant Williams and the Boston Celtics could not come to terms on a rookie scale extension before Monday’s deadline, setting the versatile big man up for restricted free agency next summer.
Multiple reports indicated progress made between the two sides, but with a comparable player in Williams’ class like Keldon Johnson receiving a four-year, $80 million contract ($74M guaranteed) with the Spurs, it set a high bar for Williams to hold out on.
Particularly since he holds a role within the NBA Player’s Association as vice president, Williams needed to ensure his and other salaries advance alongside projected league revenue growth. The NBA is reportedly expecting a new television deal for the 2025 season.
“It’s one of those things that, you never want to take a bad deal for no one around you,” Williams said. “The role that I play as VP of the player’s association, you understand where the league is going in the future and where the league is currently at. For me, it wasn’t a matter of life-changing money, it was a matter of value, not only for this year, but for years to come.”
