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Conference Rival Reportedly Discussing Trade for Former Celtic
As the Feb. 8 trade deadline approaches, the Boston Celtics, an NBA-leading 38-12, are reportedly actively pursuing options to bolster their bench before the playoffs.
While the C's could justify standing pat at the deadline and converting Neemias Queta from a two-way to a full-time contract, and a small move to strengthen their extended rotation could prove best, there are avenues to take a big swing.
As teams around the Association weigh their options, NBA Insider Marc Stein reported on his Substack, The Stein Line, that the Dallas Mavericks and Milwaukee Bucks have spoken about a potential deal involving Grant Williams.
"The Bucks and Mavericks have held exploratory discussions on a trade that would swap Milwaukee's Bobby Portis and Dallas newcomer Grant Williams," notes Stein.
The former Tennessee Volunteer was often out of Boston's rotation a season ago, making it difficult to justify going over the second apron to re-sign him as a restricted free agent in the summer.
The calculus understandably changed when the Celtics later had the opportunity to acquire Jrue Holiday and crossed that threshold to add a two-time All-Star who's averaging 13.1 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.6 assists this season. He's also drilling 42.3 percent of the 4.8 threes he's hoisting and quarterbacking their defense.
Williams' first campaign in the Lone Star State, which may prove a short stay, got off to a promising start. Entering December, he knocked down 43 percent of his 5.5 attempts from beyond the arc while producing 9.8 points per contest in Dallas' first 17 tilts.
But since then, the 25-year-old's play has fallen off a cliff. He's not providing much of a lift defensively to a Mavericks team yielding 118.5 points per game, ranking in the bottom ten in that category.
Since Dec. 1, the four-year veteran has been shooting 33.3 percent from three-point range on 3.9 attempts. He's averaging 7.3 points and has a -5.7 plus-minus rating. His playing time has dipped from 28.8 in the first 17 contests to 25.2 in the 29 since.
Portis, who helped the Bucks win the NBA title in 2021 and is a fan favorite in Milwaukee, is producing 12.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and taking three shots from beyond the arc per game, converting them at a 38 percent clip.
The eight-year veteran, who's about to turn 29, is on the Bucks' books for $11.7 million this season, $12.6 million for the 2024-25 campaign, and a player option worth $13.4 million for 2025-26.
One would think the conversations between these two teams were more about the Mavericks performing their due diligence and that their dialogue doesn't lead to a deal centered around a swap of Portis and Williams.
The latter joined Dallas in a three-team sign-and-trade also involving the San Antonio Spurs. He inked a four-year, $53.3 million contract with Boston before getting rerouted to the Mavericks. That move created a $6.2 million traded player exception for his former club.
Under the new and more punitive collective bargaining agreement, that TPE effectively expires after the trade deadline for a Celtics franchise that's over the second apron, which could push them to utilize that resource.
Further Reading
Marcus Smart Shares How Boston Shaped Him, His Message to Celtics Fans
Jayson Tatum Shares What Went Through His Mind Seeing Celtics Fans Celebrate Marcus Smart
Celtics Reportedly Expressing Interest in Multiple Rotation Players
Celtics Maturation Molded by Experience: 'It Builds, Like, an Armor'
Celtics Finding Joy in Basketball and Each Other's Company: 'We've Been Blessed'
Fixated on Winning, Jayson Tatum Again Proves He's Not 'Bored Making the Right Play Over and Over'
Brad Stevens Shares What Celtics Are Looking to Add and How He Hopes to Do So
Jaylen Brown Quieting Doubters, Validating What He Always Believed: 'Earn Everybody's Trust'
Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'
Jaylen Brown Shares His View of What Defines 'Celtics Basketball'
