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Tim Bontemps, ESPN
The Dallas Mavericks and restricted free agent Grant Williams are finalizing a four-year, $53 million contract as part of a three-team sign-and-trade deal with the Boston Celtics and San Antonio Spurs, sources told ESPN on Wednesday. told Adrian Wojnarowski.
Sources said San Antonio would receive forward Reggie Bullock and an unprotected first-round pick swap from Dallas in 2030, while the Celtics — Williams’ former team — and the Mavericks would both receive two second-round picks.
According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the Celtics would also receive a trade waiver of $6.2 million.
Acquiring Williams, a nearly 24-year-old reserve who averaged 8.1 points and 4.6 rebounds for the Celtics last season while shooting 39.5% from 3-point range on 3.7 attempts per game, gives Dallas a young, versatile 3. Returns -and-d. Forward Joe should be a perfect complement to the Mavericks’ star-studded backcourt of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
By acquiring Williams in a sign-and-trade, Dallas still has access to its full midlevel exception, giving it the option of adding another player in free agency. Sources have told ESPN’s Tim McMahon that the Portland Trail Blazers of Dallas have interest in restricted free agent forward Matisse Thybulle.
Williams, the 22nd pick in the 2019 NBA Draft out of the University of Tennessee, has been a key part of Boston’s runs to the NBA Finals and the Eastern Conference Finals in each of the past two seasons. Although he fluctuated in and out of coach Joe Mazzulla’s rotation at times this season, he returned to a greater role off the bench in the playoffs. He had also done so the year before under Ime Udoka, when Boston reached the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010.
After taking a significantly higher salary this offseason by acquiring Kristaps Porzingis from the Washington Wizards in a deal that also saw franchise veteran Marcus Smart sign with the Memphis Grizzlies, Boston opted instead for a deal to retain Williams in the next round. Opted to get two second round selections. season, when the Celtics should once again be one of the top contenders in the East.
The 6-foot-6-tall Williams, who has the ability to hit open 3-point shots, was one of the more interesting restricted free agents on the market, especially for competitive teams. According to ESPN Stats & Information research, he is a career 43% shooter on corner 3-pointers, compared to 34% on all other 3-point attempts. He is also a versatile defensive player.
The Mavericks expect him to play a similar role as Dallas looks to bounce back from a disappointing 11th-place finish in the West last season that saw the Mavs fail to qualify for the play-in tournament.
Williams had surgery on his left (non-shooting) hand after the season, but the Celtics said he expected him to be ready for training camp.
It’s been a busy offseason for the Mavericks, who re-signed Irving to a three-year deal, making two draft-night trades along with a pair of first-round picks — center Derek Lively II and forward Olivier Maxens — Prosper – and signed guard Seth Curry.
San Antonio, meanwhile, moves to salary level by acquiring Bullock, a career 38% 3-point shooter, as well as another potentially important future draft asset in a first-round swap.