The Boston Celtics were swept aside by Grant Williams’ second trade in as many months on February 8 during the NBA trade
deadline. He was acquired by the Charlotte Hornets for PJ Washington and two second-round picks, along with Seth Curry and a
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lightly protected 2027 first-round draft pick from the Dallas Mavericks. Reactions ranged from disdainful to enthusiastic about
Williams going back to his home state of North Carolina.
“So the Mavs swapping Grant for PJ Washington ends the ‘Luka has no real help’ narrative right?” asked Dan Greenberg of Barstool
Sports.
“Whew, that Grant Williams signing did not go well in Dallas,” laughed Jon Karalis of The Boston Sports Journal.
The Athletic’s Jared Weiss began, “Grant heads home to Charlotte on a team that needs some defensive leadership,” and then stated,
“Hornets are dead last in the league on defense.”
Williams’ departure from the Mavericks is surprising in and of itself, and a reflection of how well he fit with the Dallas Mavericks on a
day that saw the transfer of multiple former Celtics and Boston make a move for Philadelphia 76ers player Jaden Springer.
Mavericks were prepared to give up on Grant Williams, a former forward with the Boston Celtics.
There were indications that the Mavericks were nearing the end of their journey with the late Danny Ainge-era draft pick even before
the deadline, when Williams finally arrived in the Queen City. Though it was clear that the rumors had faded before the finish line, the
Milwaukee Bucks were reportedly considering using Bobby Portis as a trade piece in an attempt to acquire Williams.
In Dallas, Williams’ shooting fell short of his own expectations, and he didn’t fit in “personally” with the Kyrie Irving and/or Luka
Doncic-led Mavs team. Now that he’s in a position to gradually assume more responsibility, Dallas could be better suited having
Washington along.
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