NBA Free Agency: Mavs Target Grant Williams to Sign Hornets Offer Sheet?
DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks were linked as having interest in restricted free agent Grant Williams ahead of free agency. He remains available on the open market, as he has yet to sign an offer sheet with a team.
Williams, who averaged 8.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 79 games this season, is currently "unlikely" to re-sign with the Celtics, per the Boston Globe. He had fallen out of favor in the team's playoff rotation throughout their Eastern Conference Finals run. Boston also signed Oshae Brissett, adding depth at the forward spot.
Even if Williams isn't expected to return to the Celtics, there will be competition for his services. According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Hornets are "strongly considering" making offer sheet to Williams. He has received interest from the Mavs.
If Williams chooses to sign an offer sheet as a restricted free agent, the Celtics will have 48 hours to decide if they choose to match it. Given Boston's challenging financial parameters, a straightforward path for a sign-and-trade may not exist for a suitor without financial flexibility or assets to shed salary to a salary cap space team.
With the Mavs' priorities being to bolster their capabilities in defense and rebounding this offseason, a part of that must be accomplished by adding talent on the wing in addition to the center position. Dallas acquired the 24th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft to bring in Olivier-Maxence Prosper, but there is only so much instant impact a rookie wing can make.
The Mavs have been linked to various forward candidates in addition to Williams, including Dillon Brooks and Jae Crowder early in free agency. The market has to continue to play out for Brooks before that becomes viable since he aspires to sign for more than the non-taxpayer midlevel exception figure.
Beyond the currently linked candidates, many intriguing forward that could have been options have already reached contract agreements with other teams. If the Mavs have to turn to other avenues to add talent, they will be limited to including a 2027 first-round pick in a trade as far as future draft capital is concerned.
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.
