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Dallas Mavericks Guard Brandon Williams Faces Marijuana Possession Charge at DFW Airport in 2025

Originally posted on Total Apex Sports | By David Desa | Last updated Oct 29, 2025 2:44 PM ET

The Dallas Mavericks are dealing with an unexpected off-court situation that has sidelined one of their backup guards. Brandon Williams, the team’s reserve point guard, was arrested Saturday morning at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport after TSA personnel discovered marijuana in his luggage during a routine security screening.

The Arrest Details

It was supposed to be just another travel day for Williams. Instead, around 10:02 a.m. on Saturday, his trip came to an abrupt halt when airport security found a black container holding 1.585 ounces of marijuana tucked inside his bag. According to arrest records, Williams told the officers that his manager had packed the bag—a claim that didn’t change the outcome. He was taken into custody without incident and booked on possession charges.

For a player who’s fought tooth and nail to earn his spot in the league, this arrest couldn’t have come at a worse time. Williams had finally secured a multi-year deal with the Mavericks after grinding through two seasons on a two-way contract. Now, instead of focusing on basketball, he’s dealing with legal issues that have kept him off the court.

Impact on the Dallas Mavericks Roster

The timing of Williams’ arrest has created a genuine headache for the Dallas Mavericks coaching staff. Since the incident, he’s been listed as out for “personal reasons” on injury reports for the team’s last two games. His status remains questionable for Wednesday’s matchup against the Indiana Pacers.

This absence stings particularly hard because the Mavericks are already thin at the point guard position. With Kyrie Irving missing half the season and Dante Exum sidelined, the team was counting on Williams to provide solid minutes as a backup ball-handler. Last season, he proved he could contribute, averaging 8.3 points, 2.3 assists, and 1.8 rebounds per game while helping the team navigate through a brutal stretch of injuries.

This year, though, Williams has barely seen the floor. He’s logged just 19 minutes and has gone 0-for-3 from the field—hardly the production the Dallas Mavericks expected from a guy they just signed to a long-term deal.

Williams’ Journey to the NBA

Brandon Williams’ path to the NBA wasn’t handed to him. After one season at the University of Arizona, he went undrafted and spent years bouncing between G League teams, working his way up through sheer determination. When the Dallas Mavericks finally gave him a shot in 2023, he grabbed it with both hands.

That grind makes this situation even more frustrating. Williams knows what it’s like to be on the outside looking in. He’s lived the uncertainty of two-way contracts and the constant pressure to prove himself worthy of an NBA roster spot. Finally landing that multi-year contract should have been the reward for all that hustle. Instead, he’s watching games from the sidelines while dealing with legal trouble.

The NBA’s Evolving Stance on Marijuana

Here’s where things get interesting from a league perspective. Under the NBA’s current collective bargaining agreement with the players’ union, marijuana is no longer part of the drug testing program. That represents a significant shift in policy. Gone are the days when positive THC tests automatically triggered treatment programs, fines, or suspensions.

However—and this is crucial—while the league won’t discipline Williams for marijuana use, legal consequences from local authorities are an entirely different matter. The NBA can’t protect players from state or federal laws, which is exactly the situation Williams now finds himself in.

What’s Next for Williams and the Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks organization has remained tight-lipped about the situation. Despite requests for comment, the team hasn’t issued any official statement regarding Williams’ arrest or his current status with the franchise.

For Williams, the immediate concern is resolving his legal issues. Beyond that, he needs to work his way back into the rotation and prove he can be a reliable contributor. The Dallas Mavericks took a chance on him with that multi-year contract, and now he needs to show them—and himself—that their faith wasn’t misplaced.

This story is still developing, and how it ultimately affects Williams’ career remains to be seen. What’s clear is that a promising situation has suddenly become complicated for both the player and the team that believed in him enough to offer him long-term security.

This article first appeared on Total Apex Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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