{"id":154988,"date":"2025-08-15T16:59:18","date_gmt":"2025-08-15T20:59:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=154988"},"modified":"2025-08-15T16:59:56","modified_gmt":"2025-08-15T20:59:56","slug":"celtics-finally-make-amari-williams-contract-decision","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/08\/15\/celtics-finally-make-amari-williams-contract-decision\/","title":{"rendered":"Celtics Finally Make Amari Williams Contract Decision"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are no longer any Boston Celtics draft picks that remain unsigned, as 2025 No. 46 pick Amari Williams<\/a> is officially on a two-way contract, per the NBA transaction log<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Listed at 6-foot-10, Williams is an innately skilled big man<\/a>. He\u2019s a bit older than the average rookie, as he spent four seasons at Drexel before transferring to Kentucky for his fifth and final season. Nevertheless, after he averaged 10.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.2 blocks per game in 2024-25, he was able to quiet concerns about the level of competition he faced at Drexel, a mid-major program.<\/p>\n

Celtics Finally Make Amari Williams Contract Decision<\/h2>\n

Williams isn\u2019t the Celtics\u2019 only second-round pick on a two-way contract. 2025 No. 57 pick Max Shulga<\/a> is in the same boat. Whether the Celtics wanted or intended to sign Williams to a two-way contract after he was drafted though, their hands were tied at some point.<\/p>\n

\"\"
March 20, 2025; Denver, CO, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Tre Donaldson (3) dribbles the ball during the second half as UC San Diego Tritons guard Hayden Gray (3) defends at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When the 2025-26 free agency window opened, they agreed to a two-year deal<\/a> with 26-year-old center Luka Garza<\/a>. Shortly after, they added Garza\u2019s former Minnesota Timberwolves team Josh Minott<\/a> to a two-year contract<\/a>. However, they signed 2025 No. 28 pick Hugo Gonzalez<\/a> to a standard rookie contract<\/a> that same day. Last week, they signed dynamic veteran Chris Boucher<\/a> to a one-year deal<\/a>.<\/p>\n

With those four newcomers, they had 15 players on standard contracts. To be frank, not all of them are on fully-guaranteed deals. Nevertheless, there were prohibitive costs to waiving them. In fact, the only player who\u2019s likely to be waived prior to the 2025-26 season opener is Hayden Gray<\/a>, an undrafted rookie on an Exhibit 10 contract.<\/p>\n

What He Brings To The Celtics<\/h3>\n

As a two-way player, Williams will be limited to playing 50 games with the Celtics. The rest of that time will be spent with their G League affiliate.<\/p>\n

This isn\u2019t the worst situation for a young player. For starters, it could help them make a smoother transition from the collegiate level to the NBA level. In addition, a call-up isn\u2019t the ultimate reward for playing well during G League assignments. There\u2019s also a remote possibility that Williams will have his two-way contract upgraded to a standard contract.<\/p>\n

With that in mind, the Celtics have a few respectable centers in Garza, Xavier Tillman Sr.<\/a> and Neemias Queta<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n

9 PTS, 3 REB and 2 BLK for Amari Williams in his #NBA2KSummerLeague<\/a> debut with Boston! \u2618\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/8xkn0sSMFR<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NBA UK (@NBAUK) July 12, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n