Kyrie Irving told NBA reporters that he recruited Grant Williams to the Dallas Mavericks. Williams, who was a restricted free agent, signed a four-year, $54 million contract with the Mavericks in a sign-and-trade deal with the Boston Celtics.
“Grant was one of those guys I mentioned [to the front office],” Irving said, via Grant Afseth of Sports Illustrated. “He was a big piece in those Boston series when we played at Brooklyn. He made it difficult for us. He wasn’t the only one, obviously, but he was doing the intangibles out there. And I think he was looking for a bigger role somewhere else. I can’t knock a guy for wanting to try and be more in this league. Coming here and getting the deal that he did, I was proud of him.”
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.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Kyrie Irving, Grant Williams, Dallas Mavericks Updates
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.
The Mavericks needed more win-now players around Irving and Luka Doncic and Williams fits that bill. The Celtics went 181-107 with Williams in the lineup.
“I reached out to [Kyrie and Luka] to understand what they needed from me and if I felt I would be valued,” Williams said. “Kyrie did a phenomenal job of communicating with me to understand the role and the opportunity that was there.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Kyrie Irving, Grant Williams, Dallas Mavericks Updates
Irving re-signed with the Mavericks on a three-year, $126 million contract on the first day of free agency. The NBA champion averaged 27.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists in 20 games with Dallas last season. Irving finished the 2022-23 season with averages of 27.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists with the Brooklyn Nets and Mavericks.
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