At media day, Kyrie Irving laimed to have signed Grant Williams to the Dallas Mavericks.
In restricted free agency, Williams agreed to a four-year, $53 million contract with the Mavericks as part of a sign-and-trade transaction with the Boston Celtics.
Grant was one of the players Irving highlighted to the front office. “When we played in Brooklyn, he played a significant role in those Boston series. He made it challenging for
us. Although he wasn’t the only one, he was doing the intangibles outside. Additionally, I believe he was searching for a bigger position somewhere. I can’t criticise a player for wanting to improve in this competition. I was pleased of him for coming here and securing the deal that he accomplished.
Williams played for the Celtics in 79 games last year. He shot 45.4% from the field, 39.5% from outside the arc, and 77.0% from the line for 8.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game.
Williams, 24, has averaged 6.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.2 assists over the course of his career. Williams is the type of win-now guy that the Mavericks, who missed the playoffs last season, needed to surround Irving and Luka Doncic. From 2019–20 to 2022–2023, the Celtics went 181–107 with Williams in the starting lineup.
Kyrie Irving “Did a Phenomenal Job of Communicating With Me,” according to Grant Williams.
Williams told the reporters that Irving did a “phenomenal job” of reaching out to him about signing with the Mavericks during free agency. The forward and Doncic had a conversation.
“I reached out to [Kyrie and Luka] to understand what they needed from me and if I felt I would be valued,” said Williams. “Kyrie did an outstanding job communicating with me to understand the role and the opportunity that was there.”
Williams will be the Mavericks’ replacement for Dorian Finney-Smith, an unidentified Mavericks player told Keith Smith of Spotrac during Summer League. Finney-Smith was part of the historic Irving trade that saw Dallas send the Brooklyn Nets last season.
The unnamed Mavericks player remarked, “Grant is going to help replace what we lost in Dorian Finney-Smith. We need men who can shoot and defend, and he is one of those. We’re also enthusiastic about his passing skills. That gives our offence a new dimension because it’s something our other bigs don’t really do.
Why Kyrie Irving Re-Signed with the Mavericks is Disclosed
At media day, Irving discussed his decision to re-sign with the Mavericks on the first day of free agency. Dallas and the All-Star point guard agreed on a three-year, $126 million deal.
It wasn’t a particularly challenging process, Irving claimed. “Dallas was at the top of my list. Naturally, I looked elsewhere—at salary cap opportunities and places where I could blend in with other guys across the league—but there simply wasn’t much room. Since I’m now 31 and from a different perspective, I didn’t feel like I could simply stay here. Instead, I wanted to feel delighted to return and be greeted with a loving embrace.
Irving played in 20 games for the Mavericks last year, averaging 27.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 6.0 assists.
So I considered everything, Irving said. “A few days before free agency, I spent some extra time to be with my family and see how they were doing living in Dallas with me. And everyone was enthused. Even when I was traded here in the middle of the season, a lot of my family members were happy and eager for me to be at peace both on and off the pitch.
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