Sources informed ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on Wednesday that the Dallas Mavericks and restricted free agent Grant Williams are close to finalizing a four-year, $53 million contract as part of a three-team sign-and-trade arrangement with the Boston Celtics and San Antonio Spurs. The agreement also includes the Boston Celtics and the San Antonio Spurs.
According to our sources, the San Antonio Spurs will acquire the forward Reggie Bullock and an unprotected first-round selection exchange from the Dallas Mavericks in the year 2030. Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics, Williams’ previous team, and the Dallas Mavericks would each receive two second-round picks.
According to Bobby Marks of ESPN, the Celtics will also receive a trade exception valued at $6.2 million.
The acquisition of Williams, a hefty 24-year-old reserve player who averaged 8.1 points and 4.6 rebounds for the Celtics this past season while shooting 39.5% from 3-point range on 3.7 attempts per game, provides Dallas with a young, versatile 3-and-D forward who should be a perfect complement to the Mavericks’ star-studded backcourt of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Williams averaged 8.1 points and 4.6 rebounds for the Celtics this past season.
By completing a sign-and-trade with Williams, Dallas was able to maintain access to their entire midlevel exception, which provides the team with the opportunity to acquire another player via free agency. According to multiple sources who spoke with Tim MacMahon of ESPN, the Dallas Mavericks are considering making a move for Portland Trail Blazers restricted free agent forward Matisse Thybulle.
Williams, who was selected 22nd overall by the NBA in the 2019 draft after playing college basketball at the University of Tennessee, has been an integral part of each of Boston’s campaigns to the NBA Finals and the Eastern Conference finals over the last two seasons. Although there were periods during the season when head coach Joe Mazzulla moved him in and out of the rotation, he was given a significant role off the bench when the playoffs began. He achieved the same thing the previous year as well, playing for Ime Udoka, as Boston made it all the way to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010.
After taking on significantly more salary this offseason by acquiring Kristaps Porzingis from the Washington Wizards in a deal that saw franchise stalwart Marcus Smart wind up with the Memphis Grizzlies, Boston decided to get two second-round picks rather than match a deal to retain Williams for the upcoming season, which is when the Celtics should once again be one of the top contenders in the Eastern Conference.
One of the most fascinating restricted free agents available on the market, particularly for competing clubs, was a player named Williams. Standing at 6 feet 6 inches tall, Williams had the potential to make open 3-point shots. According to data from ESPN’s Stats & Information, he has a lifetime shooting percentage of 43% on corner 3-pointers, compared to a 34% shooting percentage on all other attempts at 3-pointers. In addition to that, he is an adaptable defensive defender.
FAQ’s
Q1. Who did Grant Williams get traded for?
According to reports, Williams will sign a four-year, $54 million deal with the Mavericks through a sign-and-trade to join the team. According to our sources, the Spurs will acquire numerous second-round selections from the Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks will trade unprotected picks in 2030.
