3 Reasons Hornets should target Grant Williams in free agency

#3 Williams would be a culture setting for the Hornets

Since entering the NBA, Grant Williams has been clawing for minutes on one of the Eastern Conference’s deepest teams. To his credit, Williams has not only earned those minutes, but he’s established himself as a reliable tone-setter, both on and off the court.

Competition for playing time is nowhere near as fierce on the current Hornets roster. Williams would instantly walk into a starting role. However, the Tennessee native would also bring a competitive edge and winning mentality with him and would quickly establish himself as a young leading voice within the locker room.

There aren’t many players under the age of 25 who can be deemed a ‘culture setter,’ yet given his loveable personality, willingness to be open with the media, and a competitive streak that will see him hold his teammates accountable, Williams can certainly be deemed as someone who can change the culture of a franchise.

"“For me, my outlook has always been that I want to make sure wherever I am, to impact success and winning and make sure I’m here for my players around me and focus on the team first,” Williams told Celtics reporters during a recent media availability."

Young teams need leaders. If one of those leaders can also be part of a young team’s core, and fit within their developmental timeline, then their value to that team goes beyond what they produce in the box score.

Williams isn’t going to be an easy player to acquire. Boston knows what they have in the talkative and versatile forward. But the Celtics find themselves in a precarious cap situation and have recently made a big deal to acquire Kristaps Porzingis via trade. If Charlotte was ever going to take a swing at acquiring a ‘winning player’ who could help usher in a new culture of accountability and success, making a real play to acquire Williams could be their best chance.