The Boston Celtics have unloaded another defensive anchor as it lose restricted free agent Grant Williams in a three-team trade that involves the San Antonio Spurs and the Dallas Mavericks.
Who got who?
Williams will join the Mavs on a four-year, $54 million contract.
Dallas let go of Reggie Bullock, who will join the Spurs, and an unprotected Dallas pick swap in 2030.
Celtics will receive multiple second-round picks.
Sources: The Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs and Boston Celtics are finalizing a three-team trade:
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 5, 2023
- Mavs: Grant Williams
- Spurs: Reggie Bullock and an unprotected Dallas pick swap in 2030
- Celtics: Multiple second-round picks pic.twitter.com/7Bi6Dykydf
This development is different from what Celtics envisioned for a Williams deal. Jared Weiss of The Athletic first reported that Brad Stevens sought first-round picks to let go of Williams.
Read more: Blazers 'Not Impressed' With Heat's Offer for Damian Lillard
The 6-8 forward is an integral part of the Celtics' core that competed for the title. He is among the designated primary defender against opponents' best players.
Dallas will have to wait for Williams as he enters rehab after having surgery on his injured left hand. He played 79 games last season and averaged 8.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists.
Williams is a sacrifice
Weiss also previously reported that Williams might be crucial to the team, but he has to be sacrificed to keep Jaylen Brown and meet the collective bargaining agreement requirements.
Brown and the Celtics have yet to agree on a new deal. With Williams' contract settled, negotiations for a designated veteran extension will follow soon.
"Brown can make 35 percent of the cap as a designated veteran as opposed to just 30 percent for the rookie supermaxes," Weiss wrote in The Athletic.
Related article: Jaylen Brown Supermax Extension Negotiations With Celtics Remain 'Fragile'
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