The Dallas Mavericks considered doing a sign-and-trade deal with the Los Angeles Lakers for Malik Beasley, according to NBA insider Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
The Mavericks wound up completing a sign-and-trade deal with the Boston Celtics for Grant Williams, while Beasley signed with the Milwaukee Bucks.
“Dallas considered a sign-and-trade possibility with the Lakers for Beasley during the process, league sources told HoopsHype,” Scotto wrote. “The Bucks, Sixers, Suns, Raptors, Mavericks, and Warriors expressed interest in Beasley, as previously reported on HoopsHype.”
Williams is expected to net approximately $4-5 million more by signing with the Mavericks than if he signed the same deal with the Celtics due to state income taxes. Boston never offered more than $50 million guaranteed over four years during extension talks with Williams, according to Scotto.
Williams averaged 8.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists for the Celtics last season while shooting 45.4% from the field, 39.5% from beyond the arc and 77.0% from the free-throw line in 79 games. The Celtics lost to the Miami Heat in the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals in seven games. Williams averaged 5.1 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists in the 2023 playoffs versus the Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers and Heat.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Malik Beasley, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers & Milwaukee Bucks Updates
The Mavericks needed more win-now players around Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving and Williams fits that bill. The Celtics went 181-107 with Williams in the lineup.
As for the Bucks, they are getting one of the top 3-point shooters in the NBA in Beasley, who led the league in three-pointers made off the bench last season. Beasley played for the Utah Jazz and Lakers last season. He averaged 12.7 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists while shooting 39.5% from the field, 35.7% from beyond the arc and 76.9% from the free-throw line.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Malik Beasley, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers & Milwaukee Bucks Updates
The 26-year-old Beasley averaged 11.1 points in 26 regular-season games with the Lakers while shooting 39.2% overall and 35.3% from 3. The Florida State product put up only 3.0 points per game in the 2023 playoffs in 11 appearances before getting removed from the rotation.
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