5 Free agents Spurs should monitor to improve porous defense

5. Grant Williams

The Spurs signing Grant Williams seemed virtually impossible a year ago. After a trip to the NBA Finals in 2022, Williams looked like a core player for a Celtics team with perennial championship aspirations.

But his minutes have tailed off in Boston throughout the season, with Grant only playing in three games during their first-round series against Atlanta. The Celtics' signing of Justin Champagnie does not bode well for his future with the franchise.

Several teams will have their eye on the versatile forward, and the Spurs should be one of them. Brian Wright and company know Williams is a tough-nosed defender that successfully guarded Giannis Antetokounmpo in last year's playoffs. He also shot 40% from three over his previous two seasons, and that should be enough for the Spurs to be all in on him.

The Celtics can make Williams a restricted free agent if they hand him an $8.4 million qualifying offer this summer. San Antonio should be willing to break the bank to add a high-level defender who perfectly fits their timeline.