Grant Williams ready to cash in on ‘best opportunity of a lifetime’ at Mavericks

Main summer recruit of the Maverickswhere it arrived under a “sign-and-trade”, Grant Williams is called to change dimension in Texas, where he is expected as an indisputable holder in position 4, after having spent four seasons in the shoes of a substitute for the Celtics.

A perspective that inevitably (and strongly) enchants the person concerned, as he has repeated on several occasions in JJ Redick’s podcast.

” In a perfect world, my role is that of the versatile defender who takes care of the best opposing striker, who wastes a lot of energy and who is also an integral part of the attack, who is well used on that side. “, he explains first, when asked about the role he hopes to occupy for dallas. ” The way I see things is as follows: this is the best opportunity of my life, because I will be empowered in attack but also in defense. […] I feel like I can be a little more empowered to play my game in Dallas. »

Then Grant Williams to speak more about what he will bring in attack, where he intends to let his qualities speak for themselves on “pick-and-roll” and “pick-and-pop”, passing and shooting: ” It’s arguably my best role to date, simply because it’s the kind of skill I’ve progressed and worked on. »

A marriage that starts on excellent foundations

At 24, the strong winger therefore thinks he has found the situation he coveted so much with the Mavericks. The Mavs, a franchise with which the 22nd choice of the 2019 Draft hooked directly, because the interest was mutual, and for which he is eager to evolve, alongside in particular the brilliant Luka Doncic.

” As soon as you’re open, he’ll find you “, Considers the first vice-president of the players’ union, concerning the Slovenian. ” He does a good job of involving his teammates and the next step for him in his progress will be to understand that he must also inspire others to play their game. »

Clearly, Grant Williams does not seem too affected by his departure from Boston. It must be said that he had made up his mind about it for several weeks already…

” From the start, I understood quite well that I was not going to return, even before the free agency or the transfer of Kristaps. [Porzingis] “, he admits on this subject. ” Not because of something bad, but for a matter of opportunity elsewhere and also for a career story, where I wanted to see myself playing and how I wanted to see it unfold. I want to win and I also want to have influence in the victories, to feel valued in the team, on and off the pitch. I thought I found that – in part – in Boston, but then my role was reduced, I had some ups and downs during the season and I was returning to a situation where I was going to be in a similar position. Add to that the arrival of Kristaps and it was almost 100% sure that I would change teams. »

In the end, even if he confided that he regretted the end of his adventure in Massachusetts, Grant Williams considers himself above all ” lucky » to have been able to land where he wanted, at the dawn of his fifth season in the league.

” Boston treated me well and got me where I wanted to go, both teams ended up working together to complete a transfer “, he adds, to finish.

How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.