Why the Hornets need to deal Grant Williams in order to ensure their trip to the NBA Finals
Both of Grant Williams’ prior clubs have advanced to the NBA Finals.
Written by Scotty White31, May 2024, 4:48 p.m. ET
Grant Williams, the Mavericks, Celtics, and Hornets Hornets
Eliminating Grant Williams may be a new trick NBA clubs can use to advance to the NBA Finals. Williams began the season with the Dallas Mavericks and spent the previous season with the Boston Celtics before joining the Charlotte Hornets. Williams was released by both of those teams, and they are currently competing in the NBA Finals. Should the Hornets swap Williams in a similar move?
While talking about Grant Williams’ position on Hoop Collective, Tim MacMahon joked that if the Hornets traded Williams this offseason, they would win the Eastern Conference. Williams’ close call with being on an NBA Finals team is regrettable, and it would be absurd if it occurred a third time.
“May I ask a question? Will the Hornets win the Eastern Conference the following season if they trade Grant Williams?” Said Tim MacMahon. “Because it is obvious that you will advance to the finals if you exchange Grant Williams. The Mavericks and Boston had success with it, so why wouldn’t Charlotte do it this summer to ensure a trip to the finals?
Prior to his brief time with the Mavericks, Williams played his first four years of professional basketball with the Celtics. When it comes to leaving a franchise and that team making it to the next NBA Finals, he is 2/2 in his career.
For Grant Williams, things weren’t going well in Dallas.
Grant Williams didn’t even play a complete season with the Mavericks, thus his tenure there was short-lived and apparently not very successful.
Tim MacMahon reports that the Dallas Mavericks were “determined” to cut ties with Grant Williams because he “rubbed a lot of people the wrong way.” Notably, he also changed from Luka’s to Tatum’s signature basketball shoes.
Williams’ time in Dallas didn’t end well, and he is currently with the Hornets. He ended up contributing significantly to Charlotte’s success this season, averaging just under 14 points per game. Let’s see if the Hornets attempt to get him in exchange for a trip to the NBA Finals.
In addition to covering NCAA football and basketball as an associate editor for ClutchPoints, Scotty White covers the Chicago Bulls. After graduating from the University of Michigan, Scotty began working in sports media in 2020. He covered USC and Michigan athletics.
