Traded former Boston Celtics big's start with new team not exactly encouraging

Chowder and Champions' Devon Platana believes signed-and-traded former Boston Celtics big man Grant Williams' start with the Dallas Mavericks in 2023-24 has "not exactly been encouraging" for the franchise's long-term hopes of getting good value on his $53 million contract.

"Many basketball fans thought the big man would take a huge step forward playing alongside Luka Doncic, but that hasn't been the case," Platana prefaced before saying, "Despite being a full-time starter for the first time, Williams is only averaging 9.8 points and shooting 42.2% from the floor (including a career-worst 46.3% from two-point range) while playing 28.8 minutes per outing. And even though you can make the point that Williams has never been an offense-first player, it isn't like his defensive play has been all that impressive this year. He went from averaging a defensive rating of 111 per 100 possessions across four seasons with the Celtics to a putrid 119 this campaign.

" Williams' lack of an impact is made evident by his 0.8 win shares, which is tied for seventh on the Mavericks. That's not exactly encouraging to see from a player who's making about $13.3 million over the next four seasons."

Mavericks signed Grant Williams to good value deal, but it wouldn't have been good value for Boston Celtics

Had the Celtics re-signed Williams to the deal Dallas signed him to over the offseason, the Tennessee product wouldn't be providing nearly the same value to Boston in the long-term considering the tax ramifications. On the Celtics, Williams would be stuck to the bench with pretty much no chance of starting, but with the Mavs, he has the potential to be a long-term starter.

Also, the pressure would be amplified in Boston for Williams, who would've been one of the longer-tenured members of the team, and a lack of success likely would've had him in trade rumors. Sure, Dallas may be looking for a third star in the future, but a winning record will likely have Mavericks fans content with the roster. Anything but Banner 18 would have Celtics fans wanting more major moves this summer.

Williams' time in Boston turned out to be exactly how long it needed to be, and he'll likely make things worth it for Dallas despite the rough start.