As the NBA trade deadline draws near, the Dallas Mavericks are reportedly engaged in trade talks with the Milwaukee Bucks. NBA insider Marc Stein has disclosed that discussions involve a possible trade between Grant Williams of the Mavericks and Bobby Portis Jr. of the Bucks.
In an exploratory phase, the talks aim to finalize a deal wherein Portis would move to Dallas in exchange for Williams. The interest in this potential trade arises from Williams’s defensive capabilities, addressing the Bucks’ pursuit of defensive improvements.
Grant Williams has faced a disappointing debut season with the Mavericks, averaging 8.1 points and 3.5 rebounds with a career-low shooting percentage of 41.0%. His recent struggles, shooting 37.7% from the field and 30.8% from beyond the arc over the last 25 games, contribute to the trade discussions.
The Dallas Mavericks and Milwaukee Bucks have discussed a Grant Williams-Bobby Portis swap, per @TheSteinLine
“The Bucks and Mavericks, league sources say, have held exploratory discussions on a trade that would swap Milwaukee's Bobby Portis Jr. and Dallas newcomer Grant… pic.twitter.com/iSyuTFKB5x
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 5, 2024
Financially, both Williams and Portis have similar annual salaries, around $13 million. However, Williams is committed until the 2026-27 season, whereas Portis’s contract concludes after the 2025-26 season. Portis has demonstrated more consistency in the current season, with averages of 12.6 points and 6.9 rebounds, shooting 50.0% overall and 38.0% from three-point range.
As the trade deadline approaches, the potential deal introduces an intriguing element to both teams’ strategies, with Dallas seeking to revamp its roster and Milwaukee aiming to acquire defensive prowess in the form of Grant Williams. The outcome of these ongoing discussions remains uncertain.
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