Tim BontempsESPN3 minutes of reading
Dallas Mavericks and restricted free agent forward Grant Williams are finalizing a four-year, $53 million deal as part of a three-team sign-and-trade deal with the Boston Celtics and San Antonio Spurs, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on Wednesday.
San Antonio will receive forward Reggie Bullock and an unprotected first-round pick in 2030 from Dallas, while the Celtics — Williams’ former team — and Mavericks will both receive second-round picks, sources said.
According to Bobby Marks of ESPN, the Celtics will receive a $6.2 million trade exception.
Getting Williams, a 24-year-old who averaged 8.1 points and 4.6 points per game while shooting 39.5 percent from 3-point range on 3.7 attempts per game for the Celtics last season, would give Dallas a young, versatile 3 and who would be the perfect complement to the Mavericks’ star-studded backcourt of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. should be -t forward.
And, by acquiring Williams in a sign-and-trade, Dallas still has access to its entire midfield exception, giving it an option to add another significant piece in free agency. Sources have told ESPN’s Tim McMahon that Dallas has interest in Portland Trail Blazers restricted free agent Mattis Thibulle.
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 each of the past two seasons. While he’s wobbled at times in coach Joe Mazzulla’s rotation this season, he’s returned to a bigger role off the bench as the playoffs continue this year, much like Boston did a year ago under Ime Udoka before the NBA Finals. For the first time since 2010.
After a significant price increase this offseason by acquiring Kristaps Porzingis from the Washington Wizards last month, Boston saw franchise stalwart Marcus Smart wind up in Memphis, preferring to acquire two more second-round picks instead of matching a deal to retain Williams in part. In its next season, the Celtics should once again be one of the top contenders in the East.
Williams, with his ability to guard above his 6-foot-6 frame and knock down open 3-point shots, is one of the most intriguing restricted free agents on the market this summer, especially for contending teams. According to ESPN’s Stats and Information Group, Garner is a 43% shooter on 3-pointers, compared to 34% on all other 3-point attempts, and is a versatile defender who can guard a wide variety of opposing players.
The Mavericks now hope he can fulfill a similar role as Dallas hopes to bounce back from last season’s highly disappointing 11th-place finish in the West, where the Mavericks failed to qualify for the play-in tournament.
Williams underwent surgery on his left (non-shooting) hand after the season, but the Celtics said he will be ready in time for training camp.
It’s been a busy offseason for the Mavericks, who re-signed Irving to a 3-year deal, completed two draft night trades with a pair of first-round picks — center Derek Lively and forward Oliver Maxens-Prosper — and signed guard Seth Curry.
San Antonio, meanwhile, landed another notable future draft asset by acquiring Bullock, a 38 percent 3-point shooter, as well as a first-round trade.
