The Celtics will take on a new look after completing a blockbuster trade ahead of the NBA Draft.
In a three-team deal that sent Marcus Smart to the Grizzlies, the Celtics acquired big man Kristaps Porzingis, bolstering their frontline with the 7-foot-3 center and providing an alternative to 37-year-old Al Horford and oft-injured Robert Williams III.
MORE: Celtics trading Smart for Porzingis was about 'balance' says Brad Stevens
With the trio of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Porzingis making a combined $100.4 million next season, Boston has limited flexibility in the free agent market, making bringing back its own free agents even more of a priority as it looks to improve on its appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Which of Boston's players are the most important to retain? Here's what you need to know about the decisions the Celtics have to make.
MORE: NBA free agents 2023 Big Board: Ranking top 50 players
Full list of Celtics free agents 2023
The Celtics have four free agents this offseason.
The biggest of them is Grant Williams, who will be a restricted free agent. The same applies for two-way players JD Davison and Mfiondu Kabengele, while Blake Griffin will be an unrestricted free agent.
Here's the full list of Boston's free agents:
| Player | Position | Free agency type | Age |
| Grant Williams | PF | Restricted | 24 |
| Blake Griffin | C | Unrestricted | 34 |
| Mfiondu Kabengele | PF | Restricted (Two-way) | 25 |
| JD Davison | PG | Restricted (Two-way) | 20 |
Unrestricted free agents are free to sign with any team. Restricted free agents can sign an offer sheet with any team, but their original team can retain them by matching the offer sheet.
Ranking the Celtics' top free agents of 2023
1. Grant Williams, PF
Williams and the Celtics could not come to terms on an extension last offseason, making him a restricted free agent in 2023.
In 79 games in 2022-23, Williams averaged 8.1 points and 4.6 rebounds on 39.5 percent shooting from beyond the arc, providing his trademark versatile defense and connectivity.
While he struggled at times during the playoffs, receiving DNPs in five of their postseason games and recording less than four minutes in three others, the Celtics remain interested in re-signing him, and the feeling appears to be mutual.
"Brad and those guys, if they decide to keep me and bring me back, of course I'm gonna come back and be excited and happy and ready to play for the Celtics," Williams said.
"If something else happens, then I'll have to transition, but for me, my outlook has always been that I want to make sure wherever I am, to impact success and winning and make sure I'm here for my players around me and focus on the team first."
Making the money work may prove to be a stumbling block for the Celtics, who could look to complete a sign-and-trade to get something in return for Williams and create a trade exception or acquire more draft capital for future moves.
TRADE GRADES: How much better does Porzingis make the Celtics?
2. JD Davison, PG
The No. 53 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft spent most of last season in the G League, but he showed flashes of becoming a promising backup.
In 26 regular season games for the Maine Celtics, Davison averaged 12.5 points, 8.7 assists and 4.2 rebounds.
3. Mfiondu Kabengele, PF
The 25-year-old spent most of the last season in the G League, playing just 36 minutes in the NBA in 2022-23.
In 27 regular season games for the Maine Celtics, he averaged 20.0 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists on 60.4 percent shooting from the field and 34.2 percent from the 3-point line.
4. Blake Griffin, C
Griffin appeared in just 41 games for the Celtics. With their improved frontline, it's hard to see how many minutes will be available for him in 2023-24.
In 13.9 minutes per game, Griffin averaged 4.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists.