Celtics could reunite with $42 million former DPOY candidate, NBA Finals force
The Boston Celtics' offseason plans could become clearer heading into free agency.
Celtics could reunite with $42 million former DPOY candidate, NBA Finals force originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics will return to the drawing board after blowing a 3-1 series lead to Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs.
Embiid reminded the sports world of his dominance when healthy in the painted area throughout the series, averaging 28. 0 points, 9. 0 rebounds and 7.
0 assists in 4 appearances. Boston's frontcourt looked helpless at times against the league's 2023 MVP, but free agency could bring about the opportunity to revamp their interior defense and reunite with a former star role player on the NBA Finals stage. In fact, ESPN's Bobby Marks suggests that the Celtics should aim to rekindle their relationship with Portland Trail Blazers center and formidable two-way presence, Robert Williams, by signing him to an extremely team-friendly 3-year, $42 million deal this offseason.
"The first year of $13. 3 million is guaranteed, but the second and third have no salary protection," Marks wrote Friday morning. "If Williams plays more than 50 games next season, his salary in 2027-28 would become guaranteed.