Can Mavs Add Celtics’ Grant Williams Via Sign-&-Trade?

Heading into the offseason, the Dallas Mavericks brass made it very clear that one of their top focuses for the summer was to upgrade the defense.

One free-agent target who Dallas could look to target once free agency opens which speaks to that focus is Boston forward Grant Williams.

In the 2022-23 season, Williams averaged career-highs across the board with 8.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists while shooting 39.5 percent from 3-point range in 26 minutes per game.

And though ESPN's Tim MacMahon reported that he was told to 'calm it down' regarding Dallas' interest in Williams, we say the forward would make an immediate impact on the Mavericks.

Our view: Williams would immediately provide Dallas with a versatile defender who can guard multiple positions while giving Luka Doncic another screener and reliable shooter from the outside.

The Celtics forward has, by the way, talked highly of Luka on multiple occasions while even frequently wearing Doncic’s signature shoe.

With a report from MassLive that the Celtics could look to ‘swing a sign-and-trade’ involving Williams, we think the Mavericks could entertain such move by sending Reggie Bullock back to Boston, who could serve as a rotation wing for Joe Mazzulla.

Dallas could surely sign Williams outright with the use of the $12.4 million Mid-Level Exception but playing ball with Boston and shedding the last year of Bullock’s deal could add more flexibility to the Mavs’ offseason plans -- that's if the Celtics don't opt to match and keep Williams for themselves.

We’re “calmed down.” Still … Regardless of the path, Williams could end up being a legit target for the Mavericks come the start of free agency.

Follow Michael Mulford on Twitter. Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Dallas Mavericks? Click Here. Follow DallasBasketball.com on Twitter and Facebook.