Grant Williams was part of a sign and trade that saw him leave the Boston Celtics for the Dallas Mavericks. He spent this offseason as a restricted free agent, not being able to sign directly with the team of his choice. 

Restricted free agency allows teams control to match any offer for one of their players that is a free agent. The Mavericks were dealt a blow thanks to it this offseason in their pursuit of Matisse Thybulle. And now their latest acquisition has bashed the entire concept. 

“Very difficult. Restricted free agency is terrible,” Williams said, as per the official Mavericks website. “Unrestricted, you have a good understanding of where you want to go, but restricted, you’re pretty much in a waiting game.

“You want to make sure you understand what the offers are but also understand that teams might match or a team might be asking for more than another team is willing to give. It’s an interesting process. I still think free agency is a little bit fun, but also a little bit nerve-wracking.”

Grant Williams signed a 4-year contract worth $53 million and will join Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving in the Dallas Mavericks' starting lineup for the 2023-24 season. His defense and shooting are what made him such an attractive prospect for the Mavericks. He could have simply signed directly with them if he wasn't an RFA though, but the team had to give up Reggie Bullock and a first-round pick swap in a deal instead.

Grant Williams has Hilariously Talked Trash To Old Teammate Jayson Tatum Already

What makes this situation even more fun is Grant Williams' competitive spirit. Although he has left with nothing but good things to say about Boston, he's looking to compete hard next season. And in that process, he has already talked trash to former superstar teammate Jayson Tatum. 

“I’m gonna bust your a** when we play Dallas,” Tatum told Grant at dinner last week. “You think?” Williams said. “You can’t go left. And I’m gonna be physical with you and you’ll go cry to the referees.”

It will be an exciting process for Williams, and the Celtics have to cope with losing him considering his importance to the rotation. Restricted free agency may have been a nightmare for him, but the result is that he gets to be where he wanted to be in the first place. 

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