Mavericks to promote Brandon Williams to standard contract

Dallas has been short-handed for the last several weeks because of hard-cap restrictions that prevent the team from signing another player until April 10. Williams, who recently reached his 50-game limit on the active roster as a two-way player, has been a standout as the Mavs try to hold onto a spot in the play-in tournament.

Williams appeared in 31 games, averaging 8.3 points, 1.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 14.8 minutes per night with .511/.379/.857 shooting numbers. His production increased sharply after Kyrie Irving was lost for the season in early March with a torn ACL, as Williams delivered 16.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists per night in 11 games after Irving’s injury.

Williams began his NBA career with Portland in 2021/22 and spent the following season in the G League. He signed a two-way contract with Dallas in 2023 and another one last summer. He figures to have a featured role in the postseason with the Mavericks low on guards, and he may be counted on as a starter next season considering the projected timeline for Irving’s recovery.

Dallas was reportedly giving consideration to all three of its two-way players to fill the roster opening, as Kessler Edwards, who also reached his 50-game limit, and Kai Jones, who has one game remaining, have been impressive as well.

Dallas could fit two of them on the roster by waiting until Friday instead of Thursday, according to Bobby Marks of ESPN (Twitter link), but someone would have to be waived to create another opening.