NBA

Celtics send Grant Williams to Mavericks in three-team sign-and-trade

Author photo
By
James Foglio
Author photo
James Foglio Sports Editor

James is a Basketball Insiders contributor. He earned his bachelor's degree in English and Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University. James enjoys watching sports and helping gamblers win money.

All posts by James Foglio
Sports Editor

Updated05 Jul 2023

Boston Celtics send Grant Williams to Dallas Mavericks in three-team sign-and-trade

The Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, and San Antonio Spurs have finalized a three-team sign-and-trade for Boston to send restricted free agent Grant Williams to Dallas, per sources.

Williams finalized a four-year, $53 million sign-and-trade agreement with the Mavericks. San Antonio is receiving Reggie Bullock and an unprotected 2030 Dallas pick swap. The Celtics are receiving multiple second-round draft picks.

Boston will acquire the more favorable of the New Orleans Pelicans-Chicago Bulls 2024 second-rounders, and a 2025 via the Toronto Raptors, and a 2028 via the Miami Heat.

According to multiple NBA betting sites, the Boston Celtics hold second-shortest odds to win next season’s championship in 2024. Sportsbooks are giving the Denver Nuggets the best odds to repeat in the 2023-24 season.


The Celtics will create a trade exception worth 50% ($6.2 million projected) of Williams’ outgoing salary, per ESPN’s Bobby Marks. Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic advocated for Williams’ trade.

Of course, the four-time All-Star is a good friend of the Tennessee product. Dallas needed a bigger 3-and-D wing. The 6-foot-6 power forward should help bolster the Mavs’ frontcourt.

Boston Celtics send Grant Williams to Dallas Mavericks in three-team sign-and-trade; Celtics receive multiple second-round draft picks; San Antonio Spurs acquire Reggie Bullock and an unprotected 2030 Dallas pick swap

Grant Williams, 24, made 23 starts in 79 appearances with the Celtics in the 2022-23 season. The fourth-year wing averaged career highs of 8.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 25.9 minutes per game. He also shot 45.4% from the floor and 39.5% beyond the arc.

In the Celtics’ 106-104 win over the Toronto Raptors on Jan. 21, Williams scored a career-high 25 points in 35 minutes off the bench. Along with logging five rebounds, one assist, and one block, the forward shot 7-of-13 (53.8%) from the field and knocked down four 3-pointers.

Factoring in the cap ramifications of this trade, the Mavericks are now below the first apron at $9 million. Their midlevel exception is $12.4 million, but this amount cannot exceed the first apron.


Additionally, Dallas can create $3.4 million in flexibility by waiving and stretching JaVale McGee. The three-time NBA champ signed a three-year, $17 million contract last July. He’s projected to earn $5,734,280 in 2023-24 and $6,007,341 in 2024-25.

Boston’s trade exception created an estimated $6.2 million in cap space. Had the Celtics kept Williams at the same salary, it would have cost an additional $40 million toward the tax for the Eastern Conference contender.

Furthermore, Boston cannot obtain the $5 million tax midlevel because of the second apron. Under the new CBA, the second apron is a level above the luxury tax. The amount is $179.5 million, which is $17 million more than the luxury tax, for the upcoming season.

After this trade, San Antonio now has $12.5 million in cap space. Cap holds are currently in effect for Romeo Langford (restricted bird; $16,902,771), Gorgui Dieng (non-bird; $2,019,706), and Dominick Barlow (bird; $1,801,769). Reggie Bullock is on an expiring three-year, $30 million contract. His salary for 2023-24 is $10,489,600.

NBA Betting Content You May Like