Latest signing signals a continued commitment to developing depth behind the current starters. The Celtics announced the signing of Amari Williams to a two-way contract for the 2026-27 season. Williams, a 24-year-old big man, was selected with the 46th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and spent last season splitting time between the Celtics’ NBA club and their G League affiliate in Maine. This move marks Williams’ continued presence within the organization as he continues to grow his game and adapt to the league’s demands.
What makes Williams intriguing is his rapid physical and skill development. Reports indicate a notable growth spurt for Williams, with height increasing from roughly 6-foot-11 to about 7-foot-2 over the past year. The sight of a 7-foot-2 center already moving with agility and timing around the rim is a tangible upgrade in the eyes of Celtics staffers, who observed a marked difference during practice and workouts. Such a physical transformation, combined with his established defensive instincts and shot-blocking potential, has the potential to unlock a higher ceiling for his NBA career.
Historically, Williams has shown promise as a multi-faceted then-prospect. In college, he began his career at Drexel before transferring to Kentucky for his final season, navigating an unconventional path to the professional ranks. On the floor, his early NBA action last season included 22 games with Boston, where he made two starts and averaged 1.4 points and 1.8 rebounds in 6.6 minutes per game. His performance in the Maine Celtics’ G League schedule painted a different picture: 15.8 points, 10.9 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.8 blocks per game across 28 contests, with nearly 30 minutes of action per night. The 11 double-doubles he produced in Maine highlighted a well-rounded skill set for a player his size, particularly the passing ability that allows him to operate as more than just a traditional rim protector.
This season, Williams will be part of the Celtics’ development plan, including participation in the summer league alongside fellow young talents such as Hugo González, Chris Cenac, and Dillon Mitchell. The goal is to keep him in a competitive environment that accelerates growth while allowing Boston to monitor his progress and fit within a growing, versatile frontline.
The two-way contract framework positions Williams as a bridge between the Maine squad and the NBA club, providing him with continued opportunities to refine his understanding of NBA schemes, pace, and decision-making. While veterans such as Mitchell Robinson, Neemias Queta, and Luka Garza may currently have an established role higher in the center depth chart, Williams’ combination of size, mobility, and playmaking potential offers a compelling developmental track. If his growth trajectory holds, he could become an intriguing long-term piece for Boston, contributing in meaningful ways as he continues to bulk up and refine his skill set.
From a strategic perspective, the Celtics’ approach this offseason reflects a broader trend of prioritizing depth and versatility. In today’s NBA, teams increasingly rely on a blend of reliable veterans and high-upside youth to cushion injuries, manage minutes, and provide flexible lineups that can adapt to different opponents and game situations. Williams’ progress, both physically and skill-wise, aligns with the organization’s emphasis on developing young players who can contribute on both ends of the floor.
The current depth chart includes other established centers, with players like Mitchell Robinson and others providing a veteran presence and different stylistic fits. Williams’ placement in this mix highlights the value of internal growth and the potential for a late-blooming prospect to emerge as a contributor in the near term. The Celtics are clearly betting on the combination of his length, mobility, and improved playmaking to yield dividends as he gains experience and adapts to the NBA’s pace and physicality.
In the broader view, the Celtics’ commitment to building a robust, flexible bench aligns with the organization’s long-term strategy of cultivating talent through growth opportunities, competitive habitats, and sustained development. The two-way contract indicates a recognition that Williams is still refining his game and that his development could translate into meaningful NBA contributions in the coming seasons.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching Williams’ development closely as the summer league slate unfolds and as training camp approaches. If the growth spurt and performance in the G League translate to sustained NBA productivity, Boston could maximize a high-upside asset that arrived through a secondary, development-focused avenue. The overarching message from the front office remains clear: depth and versatility are essential to contending year after year, and Williams represents a concrete embodiment of that philosophy.
In sum, the Celtics’ offseason moves, including the two-way deal for Amari Williams, emphasize a patient, strategic build. While the spotlight often shines on blockbuster trades and marquee signings, the quiet, steady development of young players can shape the team’s trajectory for years. Williams’ journey—from a late-second-round pick to a growing interior presence with a potentially expanded role—illustrates the organization’s commitment to nurturing talent and creating a sustainable, competitive roster around its core pieces. The ceiling for this young center remains to be written, but the path forward is unmistakably centered on growth, depth, and strategic development.
