The Celtics may have a tough trade decision on their hands with a key role player

Watch above for the latest comments from NBA insider Shams Charania regarding the Celtics at the 2023 NBA trade deadline. Specifically, the possibility that they could trade forward Grant Williams.

Charania doesn’t specify that a potential Williams trade would take place at or before the in-season deadline, which is Thursday, Feb. 9. Such a deal could possibly happen in the off-season, as well. But Charania believes that multiple teams are seriously considering Williams as an acquisition that they could lock up with a contract extension, meaning the Celtics could potentially get a solid return for him.

“There’s strong interest. I think there’s gonna be a market,” Charania says on Williams, as part of the NBA podcast Run It Back. “When I talk to teams around the league, I think people are looking at him as somewhere in that 15-17 million dollar range in an extension.

“I think when you look at cap space teams in the summer … you could plug Grant Williams on a team that’s not competitive right now, because he could probably help you with that leadership, and possibly off the court as well.”

Charania mentions the Orlando Magic, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Indiana Pacers as teams who have the cap space to accommodate a lucrative new contract for Williams, and could also use him as a strong role player and occasional spot-starter in the frontcourt.

Williams is averaging 9.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 28.6 minutes per game for the Celtics so far this season. He’s also shooting strong percentages all-around – 53.3 percent from the field, 43.8 percent from three, and 81.8 percent from the free-throw line.

Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens hasn’t been afraid to wheel & deal over the past two off-seasons, so it wouldn’t be shocking if he explored trade ideas involving Williams, or perhaps even swung a deal. There would be some risk involved with removing Williams from the Celtics’ rotation, but they certainly should contend for the NBA championship with or without him, as long as Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are playing.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 13: Jayson Tatum #0 and Grant Williams #12 of the Boston Celtics celebrate at the buzzer during a 122-118 overtime win over the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on December 13, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

We’ll keep you updated with everything as it relates to the Celtics and the NBA trade deadline over the next few months. Click here for complete Boston Celtics coverage at 985TheSportsHub.com.

Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @realmattdolloff. Check out all of Matt’s content here.