Grant Williams ‘Really Enjoyed' Mavs Front Office Prior to Sign & Trade
The Dallas Mavericks crossed off a number of their offseason to-do list items this summer, which included landing one of their top targets, restricted free agent Grant Williams from the Boston Celtics.
Dallas signed Williams to a four-year, $54 million contract in the three-team sign-and-trade that gave the Mavericks their new, versatile, 3-and-D starting power forward.
On Friday’s episode of The Old Man & The Three with JJ Redick & Tommy Alter, Williams spoke on landing with the Mavericks in free agency.
“Dallas itself was a team that I was pretty much really engaged with from the start,” Williams said. “I really enjoyed the front office, really enjoyed the team and personnel there.”
Prior to the free-agency period opening, the Mavericks were quickly linked to having a strong interest in Williams, which was a mutual feeling from the four-year veteran. And once the two parties had the opportunity of meeting, Williams knew Dallas was the spot for him.
“I had a great understanding of what potentially could be in terms of talent, in terms of opportunity, in terms of the relationships with staff and the organization, so I’m super excited because it all ended up working out.”
Redick noted that he and Williams discussed his free agency at Michael Rubin’s famous white party over July 4th weekend, in which Williams mentioned four teams that were on his radar, including the Mavericks. But as Williams stated on the podcast, Dallas was his ‘main priority’.
“Dallas was probably the main priority and they were really pursuing and aggressive from the start,” Williams said.
Following the Celtics' acquisition of former Mavericks big man Kristaps Porzingis, the writing was on the wall for Williams' departure from Boston. It was just a matter of the Celtics finding a dance partner in a sign-and-trade where both the team and Williams shared mutual interest.
“Boston took care of me and got me where I wanted to go,” Williams said. “I’m fortunate to be a Mav and excited for every season moving forward.”
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