The Dallas Mavericks failed to make it big in the last season despite securing a blockbuster trade in the latter half. The team realised a missing work in the roster after roping in Kyrie Irving. The Mavs subsequently cracked a four-year deal in the offseason with a 24-year-old star and pulled him in from the Boston Celtics. But only days after the trade, Luka Doncic’s new teammate revealed his peculiar hatred for Jayson Tatum.
Despite having a strong team comprising Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart, the Celtics had yet another disappointing finish to their season’s campaign falling short in the Conference Finals. And then in a surprising trade, the team traded out Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies. But while the Celtics side looks gloomy, the Mavs’ recent addition increased their chances at the playoffs in the coming season.
Jayson Tatum faces inmate hostility
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Days after the shocking Marcus Smart trade, the Celtics traded out their trusted defender Grant Williams to the Mavericks. The 6’6 forward played his four years of NBA at Boston and helped the team reach Conference Finals thrice.
Now that Williams has a different role cut out for him in the Mavs, 24-year-old star could help the team reach new heights. However, in a recent podcast, Williams surprisingly revealed his reason to hate his former teammate Jayson Tatum. The hostility surfaced only days after the trade.
In the recent podcast episode of Run Your Race, Grant Williams discussed an array of topics, including his high school basketball. The star baller went to the Providence Day School and came out with a lot of balling accolades.
However, while talking about his highschool, the host reminded him of a campus game against Tatum. Immediately, Williams went on to state the reason for hating his ex-teammate. “I still hate him for that,” he said. “Yes, I hate him because he always brings that crap that sh** up all the time.”
Williams narrated the story where Tatum’s side bounced back from 28-point deficit with 24-4 run. And to top it all, the Celtics superstar finished the close game with a clutch buzzer beater. But all said and done, Williams’ trade to the Mavs is seen as a big preseason boost.
Grant, A Wish For Mavs?
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The Mavs this offseason acquired restricted-free agent Grant Williams from the Celtics in a three-team trade. The player signed a four-year, $54 million deal before being dealt to the franchise.
The Mavs root for William to rediscover the defensive mentality that determined their drive to the 2022 Western Conference Finals. His inclusion is seen a move to round out the team depth. In fact, Williams is likely to change the franchise frontcourt. The 24-year-old averaged career highs of 8.1 points and 4.6 rebounds per game in his fourth season with the Celtics.
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But as pep-talks, blast from past and podcast polemics continue to dominate the discourse, fans are eagerly waiting to see the logical conclusion of the upcoming season. It will be interesting to see how the offseason hype translates into action.