The Boston Celtics are sitting in the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference, but let’s be honest - it hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing. Between a rocky offseason that saw four players walk out the door and Jayson Tatum sidelined with injury, Joe Mazzulla has been left juggling rotations like a coach trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube mid-game. And while the Celtics are still very much in the playoff mix, the inconsistency is starting to catch up with them.
One of the biggest adjustments Mazzulla has made is leaning into small-ball lineups. With backup bigs Luka Garza, Xavier Tillman Sr., and Chris Boucher struggling to make an impact, the Celtics have gone with a one-center look, surrounding that lone big with wings.
But lately, that strategy has hit a wall. The energy is flat, the toughness is lacking, and the losses are piling up.
It might be time to look elsewhere - and rookie big man Amari Williams deserves a serious look.
Why Amari Williams Could Be the Spark Boston Needs
Let’s start with what Williams brings to the table. He’s not just another young project - this is a player who dominated defensively in college, winning three straight CAA Defensive Player of the Year awards at Drexel.
That’s not a fluke. That’s a motor and mindset the Celtics could use right now, especially in the paint.
But here’s the twist: Williams isn’t just a defensive presence. He’s got real offensive upside, and it starts with his passing.
For a big, his court vision is impressive. He showed flashes of it at Kentucky, where he averaged 3.2 assists, but he’s taken it to another level in the G League with the Maine Red Claws, dishing out 5.2 assists per game.
That’s not just good - that’s playmaking ability from the five spot, something Boston’s current rotation of bigs just doesn’t offer.
He can lead fast breaks, make smart reads, and keep the ball moving - all while doing the dirty work on the glass and protecting the rim. That’s a rare combination, especially for a rookie. And in today’s NBA, where bigs are expected to do more than just post up and box out, Williams fits the mold of the modern center.
Time to Shift the Rotation
Right now, the Celtics are giving regular minutes to Sam Hauser and Josh Minott. Hauser can absolutely stroke it from deep, and Minott brings hustle plays that don’t always show up in the box score.
But beyond that, their impact has been limited. And with Boston already stacked with wings, it’s fair to question whether their minutes could be better allocated.
Enter Williams.
The Celtics currently rank 28th in assists (24.1 per game) and 19th in rebounds (43.4 per game). Those numbers tell a story - one of a team that could use a little more ball movement and a lot more activity on the boards.
Williams helps in both areas. And while Neemias Queta has done a solid job as the team’s primary rim protector - helping Boston rank seventh in blocks (5.3 per game) - adding another interior presence only strengthens that identity.
This isn’t about throwing a rookie into the fire just for the sake of it. It’s about seeing what you’ve got.
Brad Stevens is still evaluating this roster, trying to figure out which pieces can contribute come playoff time. And Williams, with his two-way potential and unique skill set, deserves a shot to show he belongs in that conversation.
Nothing to Lose, Plenty to Gain
The Celtics aren’t in panic mode, but they’re definitely in a stretch where tweaks need to be made. Giving Amari Williams meaningful minutes isn’t a risk - it’s an opportunity.
He’s shown he can defend, pass, rebound, and run the floor. Now he just needs the reps to put it all together at the NBA level.
At this point, Boston has little to lose and a whole lot to gain by giving the rookie a runway. If he clicks, he could be a valuable rotation piece down the stretch.
If not, at least they’ll know. But with the current formula looking shaky, it’s time to see if Williams can be the jolt this team needs.