Grant Williams: Mavs 'A Lot Closer' to Title After Trades, Free Agency

Despite missing the playoffs last season, new Maverick Grant Williams is optimistic of Dallas' chances this upcoming season.

Looking back to last season, the Dallas Mavericks lacked in many areas, including defense, rebounding and overall leadership. 

This offseason, the Mavs looked to upgrade from some of those flaws in acquiring Grant Williams via sign-and-trade with the Boston Celtics. 

On Wednesday, Williams appeared on The Ben & Skin Show on 97.1 The Freak to discuss joining the Mavericks this summer, playing alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, and expectations for the upcoming season. 

"I honestly think we're a lot closer than anybody else thinks," Williams said. "We have a bunch of guys on this team who not only compete hard but also as you said, Dallas has always had an efficient offense. It's just a matter of bringing the defense up."

Though a versatile offensive player, Williams' bread and butter is on the defensive end of the floor, as his physical traits and basketball IQ gives him the ability to defend multiple positions at a high level. With the addition of Williams' defensive energy and leadership, Dallas' defense should see an uptick in the 2023-24 season. 

"I think that we're right in that conversation," Williams said. "We're going to compete to the highest degree. We're going to be able to compete with anyone."

To be right in the conversation of contention in the Western Conference, the Mavericks would need to make quite the stride compared to last season's disappointment. But, with the acquisition of Williams, along with adding the likes of Seth Curry and drafting two defensive-minded rookies in Dereck Lively II and O-Max Prosper, don't rule out Dallas fighting their way into the conversation. 

"Super excited with this franchise and the potential that we have," Williams said. "Once we take this time to get used to one another, playing, and stuff like that, the sky is the limit."

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