Grant Williams disappointed with Celtics over snub

Feb 10, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Grant Williams (2) during warm ups before the first quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Grant Williams feels his old team gave him something of a cold shoulder.

The Charlotte Hornets forward Williams appeared this week on FanDuel TV’s “Run It Back.” During the appearance, Williams was asked about his return to Boston as a member of the Hornets in April. Williams indicated that he was disappointed he did not get a tribute video from the Celtics during the game.

“It definitely sucked because it would’ve been cool to see the highlights and the highs that we had throughout that team,” said Williams. “Although we didn’t finish it and complete the run, we definitely had great moments.”

Williams noted that the Celtics gave tribute videos to other former players during the season like Malcolm Brogdon and Marcus Smart (but added that he wasn’t necessarily expecting one after former teammate Robert Williams declined one from Boston earlier in the year).

.@MichelleDBeadle: “You went back to Boston in April… Were you upset that you didn’t get a tribute video?"@Grant2Will: “It definitely sucked because it would’ve been cool to see the highlights and the highs that we had throughout that team” pic.twitter.com/UY8dqSi2C2

— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) June 12, 2024

Grant Williams was a first-round draft pick by the Celtics in 2019 (No. 22 overall) and became something of a fan and locker room favorite with his defense and his antics as an irritant. Williams also helped the Celtics make the 2022 NBA Finals before being sent to the Dallas Mavericks in a sign-and-trade last offseason.

Of course, Williams was not even a regular starter during his four seasons in Boston and averaged a meager 6.2 points per game during that span. For a franchise as storied as the Celtics, those were hardly tribute video-worthy contributions. But these days, we are seeing other NBA teams (even those that are just as historic) giving out tribute videos for much less. Williams clearly feels that he was snubbed a bit in that regard by his former team.