Is Grant Williams ceiling --- Draymond Green?


Let me start off by stating that previously, I did not envision Celtics rookie Grant Williams spending much time at the center spot. I may be changing my mind. Believe me, I would like nothing better than Boston to come up with the next version of the 6'8.5" phenom, Dave Cowens, for the 5-spot. I am not saying that Grant Williams may be the next Big Red, but he could could hit his ceiling as the The Green's version of Draymond Green.


Green was taken in the second round (35th overall) in the 2012 NBA draft. At the Combine, he stood at 6'7.5", 236 pounds, with a 7'1.25" wingspan and a body fat of 11.3%. Williams was snagged at #22 by Boston and measured at 6'7.5" (same as Green) , 240 pounds, with a lesser wingspan (6'9.75") and lower body fat (5.4%). So both players were the same height and weight, with Dray getting the nod of wingspan, although his body fat level was more than double that of Grant.

Their final-season college numbers were somewhat similar, with Green putting up 16.2 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 3.8 APG and 3.0 TOPG. Williams notched 18.8 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 3.2 APG and 2.2 TOPG. Both were somewhat foul-prone, with Green averaging 2.8 infractions per game and Williams 3.0. Grant took honors on accuracy from the field and foul line (56% and 82%, respectively), while Green was high man on 3-pointers with 39% accuracy.


Dray's three Titles and three All-Star appearances might be tough for Grant to achieve, but frankly, did we ever envision that for Green. No, we didn't. Injuries derailed the Warriors' 2018-19 season, but Draymond held tough, averaging 7.4 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 6.9 APG, 1.4 SPG and 1.1 BPG.

NBA drafts can be a crap shoot, even at the top-3 level. High-lottery picks can be busts and second-rounders can thrive in the big League. No one ever knows the outcome for sure until they compete at the higher level. Grant Williams will be himself, and it seems it will be hard not to really like him. Summer League starts in roughly a week. Stay with CelticsLife for early reports on Grant and the other Celtics youngsters.

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Photo via John Reed/USA Today Sports

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