Deron Williams is reportedly expected to sign with the Dallas Mavericks after receiving a contract buyout from the Brooklyn Nets. This is excellent news for the Boston Celtics and this is the type of maneuver that can accelerate the Celtics rebuild. Boston owns the first-round picks of both Brooklyn (unprotected) and Dallas (top-seven protected) next year.
With Williams departing the Nets, it will presumably force the Nets to take a step back which will hurt their chances of making the playoffs, despite the weakness of the Eastern Conference. This savvy move by the Mavericks shows that they aren't willing to tank, but will definitely struggle to make the playoffs in a loaded Western Conference especially with the departures of Tyson Chandler, Al-Farouq Aminu, and DeAndre Jordan signing with the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Dallas pick is top-seven protected through 2020 before becoming unprotected in 2021. Celtic fans were watching the DeAndre Jordan saga closely and are reaping the benefits of him returning to play for Clippers. By rejecting the Dallas Mavericks, it ruined their chances of becoming elite contenders which could have resulted in a late first-round pick which isn't as valuable as a lottery pick.
Reports say the Nets didn't want to carry the enormous luxury tax bill that would've come with Williams' contract. Both sides reached an agreement that will reportedly save almost $60 million in player payments and push the Nets under the luxury-tax threshold, a punishment they weren't willing to pay considering they aren't close to being contenders.
Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge met with reporters on Thursday night in Utah and didn't get ahead of himself when asked how valuable the Mavericks' pick can potentially be after D-Will's departure.
"I’m not looking forward to next year’s draft yet," said Ainge. "That’s way too far in advance. We’re just trying to get our team ready."