How experts graded Celtics drafting Amari Williams with No. 46 pick

After trading the No. 32 pick to the Orlando Magic, the Boston Celtics acquired a pair of picks in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft — No. 46 and 57.

Boston selected Amari Wiliams with the No. 46 pick. A 7-foot big man, Williams spent last season with Kentucky and averaged 10.9 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. The 23-year-old also had 10 double-doubles.

Here’s how those around the NBA felt about the pick, as well as what national media graded it.

CBS Sports

A defensive-oriented center who has great anticipation as a shot blocker, Williams brings intrigue because of his passing and feel from the center position. He’s 7-foot with a 7-foot-6 wingspan and his length and high IQ are traits I think are worth developing in this range.

Grade: B+

Yahoo Sports

Williams is a massive, smart-passing center with good instincts around the rim and legitimate size to defend the paint. These playmaking instincts make him a nice fit for Boston’s offensive system. But while he develops as a two-way player for Boston, he needs to add perimeter mobility to defend the modern game.

Grade: B

Bleacher Report

With the Boston Celtics entering a gap year without Jayson Tatum, even second-round picks like Amari Williams may get a chance to showcase some talent.

Williams offers great size (6′11″ with a 7′5″ wingspan), intriguing vision and disruptive defense around the basket. And he has the kind of fight in him where he’ll try to hammer home a dunk even when he doesn’t have a clear path to the cup.

But he’s not a dynamic athlete, nor a shooter, and his handles might not be tight enough for him to be utilized as a playmaker.

Still, even after multiple salary-shedding moves, Williams would have a number of reliable targets to look for as a passer. And if there’s a coach that can figure out how to deploy a big as unique as Williams, it may be Joe Mazzulla.

Grade: B+

Sporting News

Boston keeps it international, going with Kentucky’s British big man. Williams, 23, measures at 7 feet with a 7-6 wingspan and could provide reprieve for the potential loss of free agent Luke Kornet.

Grade: B

The Athletic

Sam Vecenie: This is where we start to get into real question marks as to whether someone is worth a two-way deal. I’m not sure that anyone beyond this point would be, and I’m skeptical I’d do one for Williams. I love the passing, and he’s quite long. If a team thinks that they can maybe add some explosiveness to his frame by reducing his weight or thinning out his body, I’d be willing to hear that out. But that would be the key to giving Williams a two-way.

John Hollinger: I’m a big fan of centers who can pass, and while Williams has other limitations, he is a skilled operator from the high post. Boston also has a great track record of finding and developing fringe centers, witness Luke Kornet and Neemias Queta in recent years. Williams could begin the year on a roster contract if his minimum deal saves the Celtics enough money to help them skirt the luxury tax, but it will likely depend on what else happens with Boston’s roster this summer.