The Dallas Mavericks signed Grant Williams in the summer with the hope that he'd be the perfect addition to a team needing frontcourt defense and shooting. He came into the season ready to be a big contributor but was humbled in an early practice session by Luka Doncic according to assistant GM Michael Finley.
"One day in practice, a player who I won't name, but it was Grant Williams. He decided he wanted to get under Luka's skin. He thought that Luka didn't come that day ready to practice. To make a long story short, they had a scrimmage going, and he's talking trash to Luka up and down the court. Finally, Luka says, 'Okay'. I tell you, Luka went on a 26-6 run by himself. You can ask anybody, I'm not exaggerating. He went on a 26-6 run by himself. He showed him everything, the three, the post-ups, the floaters, everything, by himself.
Finley then revealed that Luka did this silently without talking trash to Williams, impressing guests that the team had over on the sidelines as well.
"Luka didn't say a word. Everybody on the sideline, including the coaches was like, 'Do not poke the bear'. We had guests in the gym at the time and they were on the sidelines oohing and aahing. Unbelievable. The kid couldn't miss. I'm not talking easy shots, he showed his entire repertoire in this five to six-minute run."
Williams' time in Dallas was cut short after spending only half a season of the four-year contract he signed. He's thriving on the Charlotte Hornets right now, averaging 13.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.4 assists.
His Dallas stint was highlighted by poor defense and inconsistent shooting, with Williams simply not backing up the trash he would often talk. He averaged 8.1 points and 3.6 rebounds on the Mavericks.
Grant Williams' Time In Dallas Was Messy
Grant Williams was signed with the expectation that he'd become a core piece alongside Luka and Kyrie Irving, but he did not leave a good impression on his teammates or the front office, according to Tim MacMahon of ESPN. He was considered over-talkative and out-of-shape by the Mavericks.
"I would say one of the ways that Grant Williams rubbed people the wrong way, the yap, yap, yapping obviously that’s kind of part of it with him. Which it’s charmingly obnoxious if he’s productive and it’s grating when he’s not. But he didn’t report in good shape and Grant Williams not in good shape is not a good defender."
Many people assumed Grant took shots at Luka and the Mavericks almost instantly after being traded in his first win with the Hornets.
"It's great to get a win for this city and really play for the jersey that's across your chest, not the one on your back. I was fortunate to be part of a team that really wanted to win. It was super exciting, the playstyle was fun, everybody touched the ball... We trusted one another."
There were other instances, including Williams changing his shoe from Luka's signature sneakers with Jordan to Jayson Tatum's mid-season, despite wearing Luka's shoe for years including his time in Boston.
Both parties seem better off without each other as the Mavericks look much better with P.J. Washington's versatility and Williams is thriving in a big role off the bench in Charlotte.
More must-reads: