The Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs have completed a three-team signing and trade with Boston to send restricted free agent Grant Williams to Dallas, according to sources.
Williams finalized a four-year, $53 million signing and trade agreement with the Mavericks. San Antonio receives Reggie Bullock and trades the unprotected 2030 Dallas pick. The Celtics receive multiple second-round draft picks.
Boston will take on a second-round favorite from the 2024 New Orleans Pelicans-Chicago Bulls, 2025 via the Toronto Raptors, and 2028 via the Miami Heat.
According to several NBA betting sites, the Boston Celtics hold the second shortest odds of winning a championship next season in 2024. Sportsbooks give the Denver Nuggets the best odds of repeating in the 2023-24 season.
Sources: Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs and Boston Celtics finalize three-team deal:
MAFS: Grant Williams
– Tottenham: Reggie Bullock and an unprotected Dallas swap in 2030
Celtics: Multiple picks in the second round pic.twitter.com/7Bi6Dykydf– Shams Charania July 5, 2023
The Celtics will create a trade exclusion of 50% (expected to be $6.2 million) of Williams’ former salary, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks. Mavericks star Luka Doncic defended the Williams trade.
Of course, the four-time All-Star is a good friend of the Tennessee producer. Dallas needed a bigger 3-D winger. The 6-foot-6 power forward should help bolster the Mavs’ frontcourt.
The Boston Celtics send Grant Williams to the Dallas Mavericks in a three-team signing and trade; The Celtics receive multiple second-round draft picks; San Antonio Spurs acquire Reggie Bullock and trade 2030 Dallas unprotected pick
Grant Williams, 24, has made 23 starts in 79 games with the Celtics in the 2022-23 season. The fourth-year winger averaged career highs of 8.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 25.9 minutes per game. He also shot 45.4% from the floor and 39.5% from outside the arc.
In the Celtics’ 106-104 win over the Toronto Raptors on January 21, Williams scored 25 points in 35 minutes off the bench. Besides recording five rebounds, one assist and one block, forward shot 7-of-13 (53.8%) from the field and knocked down four three-pointers.
Taking into account the cap-and-trade ramifications of this trade, the Mavericks are now short of the first apron at $9 million. Their mid-level exception is $12.4 million, but that amount can’t be higher than the first apron.
Max repercussions
dallas
Below first apron: $9 million (approx.)
Mid-level: $12.4 million still available but can’t go past the first apron.
They can allocate $3.4 million flexibly by waiving and extending JaVale McGee.
Boston
Trade exception created: $6.2 million (expected)
save…
– Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) July 5, 2023
Additionally, Dallas could create $3.4 million in flexibility by waiving and extending JaVale McGee. The three-time NBA champion signed a three-year, $17 million contract this past July. He is expected to earn $5,734,280 in 2023-24 and $6,007,341 in 2024-25.
The commercial exception for Boston created an estimated $6.2 million in roof space. Had the Celtics kept Williams on the same salary, it could have cost an additional $40 million in tax to the Eastern Conference contender.
Moreover, Boston cannot get the average level of taxes of $5 million because of the second apron. Under the new CBA, the second apron is above the luxury tax level. The amount is $179.5 million, $17 million more than the luxury tax, for next season.
After this trade, San Antonio now has $12.5 million in cap space. Currently in the running are Romeo Langford (restricted birdie; $16,902,771), Georgy Dieng (non-restricted bird; $2,019,706) and Dominic Barlow (restricted birdie; $1,801,769). Reggie Bullock has an expiring three-year, $30 million contract. His salary for 2023-24 is $10,489,600.