The Dallas Mavericks acquired ahead Grant Williams from the Boston Celtics in a sign-and-trade and multiteam deal that additionally consists of the San Antonio Spurs. The Mavs add a flexible and defensive-minded ahead with Williams, and the Celtics proceed to assemble a possible championship squad throughout a extremely lively offseason.
Ahead Grant Williams, seen right here throughout a playoff sport with the Boston Celtics at TD Backyard in Could, is headed to the Dallas Mavericks in a sign-and-trade. (Picture: Getty)
The Spurs purchase ahead Reggie Bullock and a protected first-round choose swap in 2030 from the Mavs because the third staff on this deal. The Celtics will purchase two second-round draft picks for sending Williams to the Mavs.
Williams, 24, signed a brand new four-year contract value $54 million with the Mavs as part of the sign-and-trade with the Celtics. He not too long ago underwent surgery to restore a torn ligament in his left hand after the Celtics have been eradicated from the playoffs.
The Celtics posted a 57-25 report underneath rookie head coach Joe Mazzulla, who guided them to the #2 seed within the Jap Convention playoffs final season. The #8 Miami Warmth knocked out the Celtics within the convention finals.
Heading into subsequent season, the Celtics are +215 odds and the betting favourite to win the Jap Convention championship for a second time within the final three seasons.
The defending champion Denver Nuggets are the consensus favourite to win the 2023-24 NBA championship at +475 odds and run it again subsequent season. The Celtics are the second championship favourite on DraftKings’ NBA futures board at +500 odds.
Celtics, Williams Half Methods After 4 Years
The 6-foot-6 Williams performed his collegiate ball at Tennessee. The Celtics chosen him with the #22 general choose within the 2019 NBA Draft. Throughout his four-season stint with the Celtics, Williams began 58 video games, together with 23 video games this previous season.
Williams noticed a gradual improve in enjoying time in each season, which was mirrored in his scoring common. He logged roughly 26 minutes of court docket time per sport this season whereas setting profession highs in factors, rebounds, and assists.
Williams averaged 8.1 factors, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per sport off the bench as a part of the Celtics’ second unit. He shot 39.5% from 3-point vary in 2022-23, and he’s a profession 37.9% shooter from downtown, together with 43% on nook treys.
Williams had a number of huge moments in particular person playoff video games over the past 4 seasons, together with a career-high 27 factors and 7 3-pointers towards the Milwaukee Bucks within the 2022 playoffs.
A streaky Williams lacked consistency within the postseason, which is likely one of the major explanation why the Celtics determined to let him go.
The Celtics not too long ago signed Indiana Pacers swingman Oshae Brissett to bolster their bench, and he’ll substitute Williams within the rotation.
Stevens Shuffles Deck with One other Commerce
Celtics common supervisor Brad Stevens has been very lively this offseason. He traded guard Marcus Good to the Memphis Grizzlies in a three-team deal that included the Washington Wizards sending middle Kristpas Porzingis to the Celtics.
Stevens tried to commerce the reigning NBA Sixth Man of the Yr Malcolm Brogdon to the Los Angeles Clippers within the authentic deal for Porzingis. The Clippers declined the Brogdon commerce on account of his well being standing. Stevens shortly pivoted and dealt Good to the Grizzlies in an effort to purchase Porzingis from the Wizards.
Stevens continues to be excited by buying and selling Brogdon. The Toronto Raptors and Minnesota Timberwolves are on the shortlist of attainable commerce companions. The Celtics would love so as to add ahead OG Anunoby if the Raptors determine to commerce him for a package deal deal that features Brogdon. There’s additionally chatter that the Timberwolves might ship veteran level guard Mike Conley to the Celtics in alternate for Brogdon.
The Celtics have been additionally talked about in commerce rumors involving Portland Path Blazers All-Star guard Damian Lillard despite the fact that he requested to be traded to the Miami Warmth. The Celtics are +550 odds so as to add Lillard in a commerce, in keeping with DraftKings. They’re the second-highest staff on the prop betting board behind the Warmth.
Stevens and the Celtics have been sluggish to make a cope with beginning guard Jaylen Brown. They’ve but to finalize Brown’s supermax contract extension value $295 million.
Williams Joins the Bounce-Again Mavs
The Mavs superior to the Western Convention finals in 2022, however they missed the playoffs in 2023 and did not even qualify for the play-in match.
The Mavs gave up three draft picks and a few position gamers to accumulate level guard Kyrie Irving in a commerce with the Brooklyn Nets final February. The transfer backfired they usually missed the playoffs. Irving and Luka Dončić did not develop instantaneous chemistry, and the Mavs have been solely 5-11 within the 16 video games they performed collectively.
Irving wished the Los Angeles Lakers to signal him this offseason, however the Lakers didn’t need his providers. Few different groups have been excited by Irving, which is why he had no alternative however to signal a three-year cope with the Mavs value $126 million.
By buying Williams, the Mavs added a formidable 3-and-D participant to their beginning lineup as a stable praise to Dončić and Irving. Williams is at present recovering from hand surgical procedure, however he’s anticipated to return to full power by the point the Mavs start coaching camp.
The Mavs not too long ago added capturing guard Seth Curry through free company and signed veteran guard Dante Exum. They’ve sufficient cap house to signal one other veteran by means of a mid-level exemption. They signed a proposal sheet with ahead Matisse Thybulle, however the restricted free agent will return to the Portland Path Blazers after the Blazers matched the Mavs’ supply.
On the 2023 NBA Draft, the Mavs chosen Duke middle Dereck Energetic II and Marquette ahead Olivier-Maxence Prosper within the first spherical. Additionally they acquired middle Richaun Holmes from the Sacramento Kings in a draft-night commerce.
The Mavs are +1200 odds to win the Western Convention crown subsequent season, they usually’re +2200 odds to win the 2023-24 NBA championship.
