Mavs Linked to Grant Williams, Matisse Thybulle in NBA Free Agency
DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks have already reached contract agreements with a few of their own players, including Kyrie Irving and Dwight Powell. They've also agreed to sign various external talents like Seth Curry and Dante Exum.
After a 38-44 season, there are still a variety of needs for the Mavs to address without compromising too much of their capabilities on offense. Some of the top affordable options in the free agent marketplace have already reached agreements to join other teams, but there are still some options to monitor.
According to Marc Stein, the Mavs have interest in multiple restricted free agents, including Matisse Thybulle and Grant Williams. Neither player is eligible to formally sign before July 6.
"The Mavericks, per league sources, have interest in two restricted free agents as they seek to address their significant need for a good defender on the wing: Portland's Matisse Thybulle and Boston's Grant Williams."
Williams, who averaged 8.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 79 regular season games, is considered "unlikely" to remain with the Celtics, per the Boston Globe. He sought a four-year, $54 million contract extension last year but no deal got done. Boston has to be cognizant of the luxury tax when making its decision.
Williams is arguably the top remaining free agent, but a lot of salary cap teams already talent at his position. The Mavs have maintained access to their full non-taxpayer midlevel exception and could potentially use it to present an offer sheet. He is an efficient catch-and-shoot threat that primarily does the little things on both ends, but most importantly, has a frame that can guard bigger perimeter players.
With the Portland Trail Blazers' roster in flux amid a Damian Lillard trade request, Thybulle is a name that teams are monitoring. He averaged 4.1 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 71 games this season.
The main concern is that he's proven to be an offensive liability due to his lack of shooting ability for a playoff team during his time with the Philadelphia 76ers. Also, while he can jump the passing lanes at a high level, he isn't the most proficient at on-ball containment and is still just 6-foot-5 and weighs near 200 pounds.
Grant Afseth is a Dallas Mavericks reporter for DallasBasketball.com and an NBA reporter for NBA Analysis Network. He previously covered the Indiana Pacers and NBA for CNHI's Kokomo Tribune and various NBA teams for USA TODAY Sports Media Group. Follow him on Twitter (@grantafseth), Facebook (@grantgafseth), and YouTube (@grantafseth).
Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Dallas Mavericks? Click Here. Follow DallasBasketball.com on Twitter and Facebook.
