Boston Celtics general manager Brad Stevens
Getty
With the Celtics outperforming expectations, Brad Stevens must now balance long-term vision with short-term opportunity at the trade deadline.
The Boston Celtics made several roster moves heading into the season that grabbed headlines.
But one of their quieter decisions, was selecting center Amari Williams in the second-round of the 2025 NBA Draft and signing him to a two-way contract. At the time, Williams was viewed as a developmental project who would spend most of his rookie year in the G League.
Yet over the past week, Williams has quietly shown flashes that suggest he may become one of the more intriguing breakout candidates on the roster in the second half of the season.
Williams’ Three-Game Stretch Shows Real Promise
Williams’ most important stretch as a professional began Friday night in Brooklyn.
He was supposed to play for the Maine Celtics that evening. But when Neemias Queta appeared on the injury report with an illness, Williams took a last-minute flight to New York City to join the team.
He played just five minutes in the double overtime win, but he made them count.
Williams recorded a crucial block down the stretch that helped seal the victory. Then on Saturday he made his first career start against Chicago. Williams logged 10 minutes and posted two points, two rebounds, and one block. A solid performance, but he looked like a rookie still finding his footing.
Monday night against Portland has changed the narrative.
Williams checked in midway through the first quarter and immediately made an impact. His screening was noticeably sharper. He held his ground and got teammates open. He finished the game with nine points, seven rebounds, and two blocks in nearly 26 minutes of action.
Pull up shoot
Amari Williams tonight:
• 9 PTS • 7 REB • 3 Stocks
Solid showing from the rookie!
Why Mazzulla Trusts the Rookie
The 26 minutes tell the story. Playing time doesn’t come easily under Joe Mazzulla. Williams earned every minute Monday by executing his role without mistakes.
“They (Portland) just do such a good job with ball-pressure,” Mazzulla said, “And so having another guy out there that can create separation for our guards. I thought he did a good job on both ends of the floor.”
The trust Mazzulla has shown Williams comes from continuity across the organization.
Williams has thrived in Maine, averaging 17.3 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game in the G League. The Maine Celtics run the same system as the NBA team, which means Williams knows the playbook when he gets called up. That preparation allows him to contribute immediately.
“It’s just a credit to the continuity,” Mazzulla said after Friday’s win in Brooklyn. “The continuity of what Phil’s doing in Maine, what the Maine staff is doing, what our player development team is doing. So that you don’t really miss a beat.”
Daniel Donabedian
Joe Mazzulla on why he went with Amari Williams tonight and his performance:
“Thought he did a great job on both ends of the floor.”
The Celtics’ Center Picture
The Celtics have multiple options at center heading into the second half of the season.
Queta has done really well as a starter this season. Luka Garza has impressed too, adding scoring punch off the bench. Josh Minott has provided good minutes at the position when healthy.
Williams sits below all of them on the depth chart. But the opportunity still exists for him to carve out a role.
As a two-way player, there is a limit to the amount of games he can play for the Celtics this season. But having featured little in the first half of the year, Williams could now be set for a bigger role.
Final Word for the Celtics
Williams will experience ups and downs as a rookie on a two-way contract.
There will be games where his mistakes limit his minutes. There will be nights where the matchup doesn’t favor his skillset. And there will be stretches where he returns to Maine to get consistent reps. That’s the reality of being a second-round pick playing for a competitive team.
But Monday night showed what Williams can become with continued development. It showed he can contribute in meaningful ways. If he continues improving at this rate, he may become a valuable rotational piece. For now, he just needs to keep doing what got him 26 minutes Monday.
Set good screens, protect the rim, and stay ready when his name is called.