By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Coming off four seasons with the Boston Celtics and multiple extended postseason runs, Grant Williams was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in a sign-and-trade deal completed in July.
Williams, 24, discussed playing alongside Slovenian Luka Doncic as a guest on The Old Man and The Three podcast.
“Whenever you are open, he is going to find you,” he described the franchise star in Dallas, “I am excited just because he brings so much pressure and attention to himself. He does a good job of getting others involved. His growth and his next step is understanding that as much as that happens he also has to power others to play their games as well.”
Coming out of Tennessee, he was selected 22nd overall in the 2019 NBA draft. Four years later, signing a four-year, 54 million dollar contract sent him to the Mavs along with second-round draft picks in 2025 and 2028. The Celtics were compensated with three second-round selections and the San Antonio Spurs completed the three-team trade by acquiring Reggie Bullock and a 2023 first-round pick.
Switching to Dallas, Williams meets the Mavericks eager to bounce back after missing out on the 2023 NBA Playoffs. Doncic and Kyrie Irving will be leading the charge.
“Kyrie has been in this league long enough that he knows how to make a tough shot and also get off the ball. And Luka does a good job of seeing the full court from the beginning,” added the incoming power forward.
Wrapping up the stint with the Celtics, Williams tallied 7.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.5 steals, and 0.4 blocks per contest over 94 appearances between the Regular Season and Playoffs.
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