Grant Williams was traded from the Dallas Mavericks to the Charlotte Hornets at the February deadline, but he almost ended up with the Milwaukee Bucks instead. During a TNT live broadcast in the players lounge during Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks, Williams discussed his fit with the Hornets and the near-trade to Milwaukee.
Williams explained that while Charlotte presented the best opportunity, Milwaukee was also a potential destination until the deal fell through. The proposed trade involved a swap between Williams and Bobby Portis. Ultimately, Dallas chose P.J. Washington over Portis, and Washington has since become a crucial part of Dallas’ playoff rotation.
Portis, who might become available on the trade market this summer as the Bucks consider changes, expressed his disbelief at the proposed trade. “When I got hints of it, I’m like, ain’t no way I’m getting traded for, excuse my French, this guy,” Portis said. “That’s my guy, but I shouldn’t get traded for Grant Williams. That don’t even sound right.”
The trade worked out well for the rebuilding Hornets, who received a top-two protected first-round pick from Dallas in 2027 along with Williams. Looking ahead to the 2024-25 season, Williams is expected to play a significant role in the Hornets’ efforts to climb the Eastern Conference standings.
“We’re not gonna be no laughingstock no more,” Williams said of the Hornets. “We’re gonna be a team that competes, a team that plays hard. We’re gonna be a team that sticks together. That’s something we took pride in at the end of the season, and we’ll start off the rest of the year with LaMelo (Ball), Mark Williams and all our other pieces back. I think that’s gonna be really fun to play with.”
In his 29 games with the Hornets, Williams averaged a career-high 13.9 points per game and 3.2 assists, quickly becoming a key team leader. Charlotte aims to continue adding veterans who can contribute on and off the court. Williams has received praise for his leadership and team-first mentality, which should help enhance the Hornets’ young core in the coming seasons.
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