Batman to Dallas: Celtics sending Grant Williams to the Mavericks in three-team trade
The Boston Celtics are reportedly sending forward Grant Williams to the Dallas Mavericks in a three-team deal that also includes the San Antonio Spurs. Williams is set to ink a new four-year, $53 million contract with Dallas in a sign and trade deal after spending his first four seasons in the NBA with Boston, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowksi. Boston will receive multiple second-round picks as part of the trade, while Reggie Bullock and an unprotected 2030 pick swap are headed to San Antonio.
Wojnarowski reported the Celtics and the Mavericks will each land two second-round picks in the trade. This comes after a flurry of moves on draft night netted Boston four future second-round picks. Throw in a 2024 first-round pick from the Golden State Warriors as part of the Kristaps Porzingis deal, and suddenly team president Brad Stevens has many more assets in his cupboard than he did at the start of the offseason. (According to HoopsHype’s Yossi Gozlan, Boston will also generate a traded player exception worth about $6.3 million, and will avoid adding about $40 million to the team’s luxury tax bill.)
Williams will join superstar Luka Doncic in Dallas, as well as Kyrie Irving and a host of other talented role players. After a disappointing 2022-23 regular season that saw the Mavericks miss the playoffs entirely, Williams and his new club will seek to make a splash in the crowded Western Conference.
Or have they mostly finished their offseason team building? https://t.co/Yt82S2zrYa
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) July 5, 2023
Williams was a key contributor for Boston over the last few seasons, including a few key postseason performances off the bench. His combination of size and athleticism make him a solid defender, and Williams has been a reliable shooter throughout his time as a pro. He has also been an active member of the Boston community.
Although Williams logged a career-best 25.9 minutes per game this past season, however, he appeared to fall out of favor with new head coach Joe Mazzulla. At times, Williams was functionally out of the club’s rotation entirely.
With his restricted free agency looming, it was unclear what Williams’ future in Boston held. Complicated finances under the league’s new collective bargaining agreement also made seeing the Celtics retain Williams beyond this season difficult.
Boston has now said goodbye to two fan-favorites in Marcus Smart and Grant Williams. And between now and training camp, it’s fair to expect further changes to this Celtics roster. Hold on to your butts.
Whatever you do, do not ask Hall of Fame forward Rick Barry who his GOAT is. https://t.co/XDfvJRf6gK
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) July 5, 2023
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