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Could the Charlotte Hornets make a run at this Charlotte native?

By Evan Birchmore

Dec 31, 2019; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Boston Celtics forward Grant Williams (12) signs autographs prior to the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2019; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Boston Celtics forward Grant Williams (12) signs autographs prior to the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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While the 2022-23 NBA season is in full swing, it is never too early to begin looking ahead to the offseason and potential roster moves that could be made.

Could the Charlotte Hornets make a run at this Charlotte native?

One of the names likely to be heavily discussed is Boston Celtics forward Grant Williams.

According to reports from HoopsHype, the Celtics never offered Williams more than $50 million guaranteed over four years, which equates to $12.5 million per season. It has also been reported that Williams would have accepted an offer at $14 million per season, or $56 million over four years.

HoopsHype also reports that league sources believe the Celtics would not match any offers that equate to $18 million annually, of $72 million over four years.

What kind of deal will Grant Williams get next offseason?

Williams has been playing the best basketball of his career this season, posting career highs in points (9.9), rebounds (4.7), assists (1.7), field goal percentage (58.8%), and three-point field goal percentage (50.0%).

If Williams can keep this level of production up, he will play himself into a better contract than what he was offered by Boston.

Does Grant Williams make sense for the Charlotte Hornets?

The Hornets already have a player similar to Williams on their roster in P.J. Washington. Washington is also going to be seeking a new contract next offseason, as the same HoopsHype report explains that he is seeking a deal in the four-year, $80 million range. This would be a sizeable overpay by Charlotte given Washington’s current production, but it may be wise to have a contingency plan in place in the event that another team is prepared to offer Washington the type of deal he is looking for.

Enter Grant Williams. While Washington has been the more productive player, Williams could help replicate some of Washington’s productivity in the event that the Hornets do not retain Washington.

Could Grant Williams’ Charlotte roots bring him home to the Charlotte Hornets?

One potential feather in the Hornets’ cap is that Williams played his high school basketball in Charlotte at Providence Day School, just 15 minutes from the Spectrum Center. While at Providence Day, Williams was named the Player of the Year by The Charlotte Observer in consecutive years (2014-15 and 2015-16), becoming just the fourth player to receive this honor. Williams helped to lead his school to the NCISAA 3A state championship during his senior season.

Is this situation likely? No. The Hornets have shown that they prefer to keep their drafted talent, and any outside acquisitions typically come at inflated prices due to Charlotte’s existence as a small-market franchise devoid of a winning history. However, the allure of playing at home and likely playing in an expanded role could be appealing to Grant Williams.

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