Ex-Celtics Grant Williams Embraces Mavs After Sign & Trade: 'Beautiful Thing'
DALLAS — On Wednesday, the Dallas Mavericks reached an agreement on a sign-and-trade with the Boston Celtics to acquire Grant Williams. He will be receiving a four-year, $54 million contract and was traded to the Mavs in part of a three-team trade, involving the San Antonio Spurs.
Williams shared his reaction to the move with The Athletic, describing the talent level of the Mavs with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving as being "absurd."
“The talent on this team is absurd,” Williams said. “Kyrie and Luka, being able to put two superstars of that nature, two top 10 players or whatever you want to say, Kyrie is one of the best point guards in the league still. As well as those young guys they have to grow and compete like (Olivier-Maxence Prosper), they drafted Dereck Lively. The Seth Currys, the vets in the world, they’re really talented.”
When describing what he wants to bring to the Mavs, Williams is looking forward to being a high energy contributor and complementing the talent on the team.
“For me, just to be able to bring energy, be able to bring togetherness, to bring a certain team mentality to a group that has a lot of great talent,” Williams said.
Williams is looking forward to joining the Mavs organization, highlighting Mark Cuban and having memories of watching Dirk Nowitzki. He sees it as a "beautiful" situation.
"In terms of coaching, in terms of front office, in terms of Mark Cuban, it’s a franchise you’ve always heard great things about," Williams said. "I remember watching Dirk Nowitzki play for the Mavs and how impactful he was for the city was a beautiful thing.”
“I’m excited to go to a new city, to embrace the new culture and fans,” Williams explained. “Just enjoy the moment.”
Williams averaged 8.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 79 games. He continued to be a helpful contributor with his 3-and-D skill-set and will be relied upon to do the same alongside Doncic and Irving with the Mavs.
Grant Afseth is a Dallas Mavericks reporter for DallasBasketball.com and an NBA reporter for NBA Analysis Network. He previously covered the Indiana Pacers and NBA for CNHI's Kokomo Tribune and various NBA teams for USA TODAY Sports Media Group. Follow him on Twitter (@grantafseth), Facebook (@grantgafseth), and YouTube (@grantafseth).
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