Grant Williams completes move to Dallas Mavericks in three-team swap

Author: Monojit Mandal

In a surprising development, the Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs finalized a three-team sign-and-trade deal involving restricted free agent Grant Williams, resulting in his transfer to Dallas.

Renowned insider Shams Charania, of The Athletic, broke the news, revealing that as part of the deal, the Spurs will receive veteran wing Reggie Bullock and an exchange of an unprotected first-round pick with the Mavericks in 2030. In return, the Celtics will secure three future second-round picks (2024, 2025 and 2028) in exchange for Williams.

Sources confirm that Williams will sign an impressive four-year contract worth $54 million with the Mavericks. This substantial increase on last season’s salary of US$4.3 million will see him receive an average annual income of US$13.5 million.

The negotiations and subsequent trade were planned by prominent sports agents Bill Duffy and Erik Kabe of WME Sports, who worked diligently on the details of Williams’ new contract.

Earlier reports from The Athletic’s Jared Weiss suggested that the Celtics were prepared to match Williams’ offer sheet from any rival team during the offseason. However, the Mavericks made it a priority to acquire Williams, recognizing his versatility and size as a wing. In a strategic move to prevent the Celtics from matching the deal, Dallas significantly increased its offer and sweetened the deal with draft compensation.

Despite his previous expressions of interest in returning to the Celtics, Williams has expressed his willingness to accept any outcome, as reported by Boston.com. This decision is due to the fact that he was unable to reach a contract extension agreement with Boston during the previous season, which fueled his determination to get a more lucrative contract elsewhere.

Renowned for his ability to stretch the court and defend against formidable opponents, Williams is set to be an excellent addition to the Mavericks squad, complementing stars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. In addition, his vast playoff experience, having played in 61 post-season games despite his youth, brings valuable insight to the team.

Last season, Williams demonstrated his talent with an average of 8.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.5 steals and 1.5 three-point shots per game, shooting an impressive 45.4% in 79 games.

With the acquisition of Grant Williams, the Mavericks have added a new dynamic to their team, setting the stage for an electrifying next season in Dallas.

Williams’ basketball journey began as a highly sought-after recruit, earning a consensus five-star rating and the distinction of being Texas’ top player in the 2017 recruiting class. He went on to play two successful seasons at Tennessee, earning SEC First Team honors in 2019 and being named SEC Player of the Year that same season. In addition, Williams represented the U19 men’s team at the USA Basketball World Cup in 2017, further solidifying his status as a promising talent.

A graduate of Providence Day School in Charlotte, North Carolina, Williams is a versatile player capable of excelling at both the power forward and small forward positions. He has a reliable three-point shot and shows strong defensive ability. Known for his basketball intelligence and selflessness on the court, Williams always makes the right decisions to benefit his team.

As a rising star in the NBA, Williams is expected to have a long and successful career, serving as a valuable asset to any team. With his ability to make an impact on both ends of the court, his presence should elevate the Mavericks’ performance and contribute to their quest for success.