Analyst Projects Celtics Could Reunite With Robert Williams on Team‑Friendly 3‑Year Deal
Marks’ proposal limits long‑term guarantees unless Williams plays 50 or more games, a protection meant to address Boston’s need for a durable rim protector.
Overview
- ESPN analyst Bobby Marks suggested on Friday that the Celtics should pursue former center Robert Williams in free agency and outlined a specific three‑year, $42 million offer.
- Marks proposed that only the first season — about $13.3 million — be fully guaranteed and that the second and third years become guaranteed only if Williams plays at least 50 games in the prior season.
- Williams will be a free agent after his Portland contract expires and posted a relative rebound in 2025‑26 by appearing in 59 games and averaging 1.5 blocks in limited minutes.
- The contract structure is meant to manage risk from Williams’ lower‑body injury history, which has limited him to more than 59 games only twice in eight NBA seasons.
- If Boston pursued Williams it would be seeking a proven rim protector familiar with the Celtics’ system, though other fits named by Marks include Portland, Atlanta and the LA Clippers and no team action has been reported.