Welcome Amari Williams!

[Atzar]

Welcome to Maine.

Hopefully he lasts longer than Anton Watson.

I think he will.  Honestly his scouting report from the Athletic reads as a thicker Luke Kornet, with maybe a better handle.  He wasn?t on my draft radar at all, but I think he could be a very good fit for the Celtics schemes. Watch the video I posted if you haven?t ? he has some legitimate playmaking skills.

I know a ton of people on this board adopted Raynaud or Kalkbrenner or Fleming as their son and were ready to push Stevens into the harbor if he didn't draft their son, but frankly I think "reads as a _____ version of Kornet" describes every big taken in this round so far except for Broome (who has his own issues).  Several remarkably similar players:  great size, poor mobility, some modest perimeter offensive skills that (in my estimation) probably won't be good enough to carry in the NBA.  History may eventually prove me wrong but I really don't like this round much.  I don't see Kalkbrenner or Raynaud to Williams to be a remarkably steep dropoff - nor do I have any particular expectation for Williams as a rotation-level prospect.  So trading back and taking Williams is whatever to me.  I'm not thrilled about it but I'm not chewing on my TV screen either.

Again, obviously I do wish Williams the best and I hope he kills it.

[celticinorlando]

Jonathan Givony
@DraftExpress
The Boston Celtics have selected Amari Williams with the No. 46 pick. He will be on a two-way contract next season.

[Silas]

Let's wait and see....Williams is a mighty big fellow:  7'0, 262lb, with a 7'6 Wingspan.  Looking at some highlights and he definitely is a good passer.  Doubt we see much of him next season, but the following year he may be another Q.

[Kuberski33]

Welcome to Maine.

Hopefully he lasts longer than Anton Watson.

I think he will.  Honestly his scouting report from the Athletic reads as a thicker Luke Kornet, with maybe a better handle.  He wasn?t on my draft radar at all, but I think he could be a very good fit for the Celtics schemes. Watch the video I posted if you haven?t ? he has some legitimate playmaking skills.

I know a ton of people on this board adopted Raynaud or Kalkbrenner or Fleming as their son and were ready to push Stevens into the harbor if he didn't draft their son, but frankly I think "reads as a _____ version of Kornet" describes every big taken in this round so far except for Broome (who has his own issues).  Several remarkably similar players:  great size, poor mobility, some modest perimeter offensive skills that (in my estimation) probably won't be good enough to carry in the NBA.  History may eventually prove me wrong but I really don't like this round much.  I don't see Kalkbrenner or Raynaud to Williams to be a remarkably steep dropoff - nor do I have any particular expectation for Williams as a rotation-level prospect.  So trading back and taking Williams is whatever to me.  I'm not thrilled about it but I'm not chewing on my TV screen either.

Again, obviously I do wish Williams the best and I hope he kills it.

These guys are literally interchangeable in terms of their chances of contributing to an NBA team. It took Kornet how many years bouncing around rosters and the G-League before he turned into a solid rotation guy?  And for everyone one of him there are 25 guys who never make it. The only interesting thing to me is Shams saying the C's were ready to draft Fleming when Phoenix traded to get in front of them. And Fleming sounds like an intriguing guy who might have had a chance to really help the them as soon as next season.

[ETNCeltics]

Brad is averse to trying to develop players. Several good prospects were there at 32, he wanted no part of them. Makes no sense to me, especially with '25-6 essentially being a lost season already. Instead, he drafts some guys who will never play in Boston.

[CFAN38]

First let me say I was extremely disappointed to not see the Celtics draft Raynaud or Kalkbrenner last night. Part of that may have to do with players getting guaranteed contracts from teams and agents steering teams away from players based on these pr-negotiated deals.


Taking a step back I am now much more positive about Amari and the picks the Cs where able to attain. Those future picks will be valuable trade assets moving forward.

As for Amari Williams the player.

I did not have him ranked in my top 55. Maybe its my green colored glasses but diving into him as a prospect I think that was a mistake. Right off the bat I didn't give Amari any time because of the combination of his age and stats. A 23 yr old averaging 10pt 8rb just doesnt scream NBA player.

However I didn't factor in that he only was playing 22mpg. His per 36 numbers are really really good. His 13.4 rebounds per 36 is the best in the draft. His 5.0 assists per 36 is better than D Harper and  J Fears! At 6'10.5" bare foot, 255lbs with a massive 7'6" wingspan he has the size required to be a drop defender. As a project big man the passing is not a skill that will be developed to Amari's level that is an intrinsic skill. Like Queta he is a high level rebounder coming into the NBA and rebounding is a transferable skill for NCAA to the NBA. I am confident to project Amari as a rotational big who might never be a "16 game" aka playoff contributor but he should be able to provide depth and minutes as a 3rd big after 1 season in the G-League.

Had I done more of a dive into Amari predraft I would have ranked him in the same Tier as Broome and given the size difference I would have put Amari one spot ahead of Broome.

[Vermont Green]

Brad is averse to trying to develop players. Several good prospects were there at 32, he wanted no part of them. Makes no sense to me, especially with '25-6 essentially being a lost season already. Instead, he drafts some guys who will never play in Boston.

I don't believe that this conclusion is correct.  Just this draft, he took 19 year old Hugo Gonzalez, totally a developmental pick.  In recent drafts, he took Davison and Walsh, both young developmental type picks.  Amari Williams is 23, he will probably be on a 2-way deal and see minutes in the NBA this season.  They will try to develop him into something.

During Brad Steven's tenure as GM, the team has been a title contender every season and will be again in 2026-27 and beyond.  There is less need or availability to develop young players on a contending team.  I don't know how Williams will compare to say Raynaud or whoever people seem to have wanted BOS to draft, no one does.  They are second round picks.

I think this is a simple as BOS determining that there was not much drop off between picks 32 and 46 (right or wrong) and there were crazy trade up deals being offered.  Sometimes it is better to take what the defense is giving you rather than trying to force a shot.  4 picks for 1 pick is a crazy offer and they probably ended up with a young big who has about the same chance of contributing at some point as any other second round big.  It may turn out that one of the bigs they passed on will be that big over-achieving sleeper, giving people something to complain about for years to come, but actually not all that likely.  More likely none of them turn out to be much more than a regular second round pick.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

First let me say I was extremely disappointed to not see the Celtics draft Raynaud or Kalkbrenner last night. Part of that may have to do with players getting guaranteed contracts from teams and agents steering teams away from players based on these pr-negotiated deals.


Taking a step back I am now much more positive about Amari and the picks the Cs where able to attain. Those future picks will be valuable trade assets moving forward.

As for Amari Williams the player.

I did not have him ranked in my top 55. Maybe its my green colored glasses but diving into him as a prospect I think that was a mistake. Right off the bat I didn't give Amari any time because of the combination of his age and stats. A 23 yr old averaging 10pt 8rb just doesnt scream NBA player.

However I didn't factor in that he only was playing 22mpg. His per 36 numbers are really really good. His 13.4 rebounds per 36 is the best in the draft. His 5.0 assists per 36 is better than D Harper and  J Fears! At 6'10.5" bare foot, 255lbs with a massive 7'6" wingspan he has the size required to be a drop defender. As a project big man the passing is not a skill that will be developed to Amari's level that is an intrinsic skill. Like Queta he is a high level rebounder coming into the NBA and rebounding is a transferable skill for NCAA to the NBA. I am confident to project Amari as a rotational big who might never be a "16 game" aka playoff contributor but he should be able to provide depth and minutes as a 3rd big after 1 season in the G-League.

Had I done more of a dive into Amari predraft I would have ranked him in the same Tier as Broome and given the size difference I would have put Amari one spot ahead of Broome.

Not just the assists, but his ability to function as a hub and drive from the high post is pretty impressive as well.

I agree. I remember watching a few UK games this season and he did pop off the screen to me. I was wondering at the time why he didn't play more - still wonder that.

[Chief]

I'm enjoying these Amari Williams highlights. He's huge but moves well. Good rim protector. He looks like he's, physically, ready to play in the NBA (which is good because he's 23). I also read he had more assists than any center in Kentucky history which is pretty wild.

Could be a nice pick.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iInqX6OprNM

He does look like a good passer

Maybe we just drafted the next Boris Diaw. I think we'd all take that.

[Goldstar88]

Brad is going to stash him in England! 

You never know?   But it wasn't Amari Williams fault that Brad messed up our expectations.   

Maybe next draft we can stash Brad somewhere?

I heard Siberia is nice this time of year.

[blink]

I'm enjoying these Amari Williams highlights. He's huge but moves well. Good rim protector. He looks like he's, physically, ready to play in the NBA (which is good because he's 23). I also read he had more assists than any center in Kentucky history which is pretty wild.

Could be a nice pick.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iInqX6OprNM

He does look like a good passer

Maybe we just drafted the next Boris Diaw. I think we'd all take that.

I will remain hopeful for as long as possible! lol

[keevsnick]

His main weakness is he's terrible at actually putting the ball in the basket. He shot 53.6% on TWO's during his college career. Thats pretty alarming for a 6'10 guy who doesn't stretch the floor, especially because he'll face more length and athleticism in the NBA.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

His main weakness is he's terrible at actually putting the ball in the basket. He shot 53.6% on TWO's during his college career. Thats pretty alarming for a 6'10 guy who doesn't stretch the floor, especially because he'll face more length and athleticism in the NBA.

54% is perfectly fine. It's a huge exaggeration to say "terrible at putting the ball in the basket." It's not like he had great guards getting him the ball at Drexel, and the UK guards weren't that good last year.

Derrick Queen was at 53%. Should he not have been a 1st rounder? Sorber, who many on here pinned away for was at 53%. Broome was at 51% last year.

[Vermont Green]

His main weakness is he's terrible at actually putting the ball in the basket. He shot 53.6% on TWO's during his college career. That's pretty alarming for a 6'10" guy who doesn't stretch the floor, especially because he'll face more length and athleticism in the NBA.

Three-time CAA Defensive Player of the Year ? Originally from Nottingham, England ? Measured at 7'-0", 262 pounds ? Played four seasons at Drexel, where he became one of the most productive and consistent two-way bigs in the mid-major ranks ? Graduated with a degree in Business Administration ?

So how tall is he really?

[DefenseWinsChamps]

His main weakness is he's terrible at actually putting the ball in the basket. He shot 53.6% on TWO's during his college career. That's pretty alarming for a 6'10" guy who doesn't stretch the floor, especially because he'll face more length and athleticism in the NBA.

Three-time CAA Defensive Player of the Year ? Originally from Nottingham, England ? Measured at 7'-0", 262 pounds ? Played four seasons at Drexel, where he became one of the most productive and consistent two-way bigs in the mid-major ranks ? Graduated with a degree in Business Administration ?

So how tall is he really?

Might have to wait til measurements at camp to be sure. He wasn't at the combine.