SUMMARY
- Grant William was traded from the Dallas Mavericks to the Charlotte Hornets on February 8, 2024.
- Grant Williams serves as the first vice president of the NBA Players Association (NBPA), a role he will hold until 2027.
Grant Williams is known for his strength, versatility, and basketball smarts on the court. His six-foot-tall stature makes him a behemoth on the hard court, especially close to the basket. However, a dip in his shooting average led to his trade to the Charlotte Hornets from the Dallas Mavericks on February 8, 2024. Alongside Seth Curry and a 2027 first-round pick, in exchange for P. J. Washington and two future second-round picks.
Despite the sudden transition on the court, Williams continues to hold an important role off the court. He serves as the first vice president of the NBA Players Association. A position he will hold until 2027. In this role, the 25-year-old is committed to improving the terrain of the game for future players. Aiding them in contract negotiations and fostering the growth of their brands.
Interestingly, Williams’ academic history is coming in handy for his labor union role. After turning down offers from Ivy League schools Harvard and Yale to graduate in three years from Tennessee with a degree in business. Now, one might wonder, what does the NBA Players Association Vice-President do?
People within the Dallas Mavericks were turned off by Grant Williams’ ‘yapping,’ and he was reportedly not in good shape, per @espn_macmahon
“I would say one of the ways that Grant Williams rubbed people the wrong way, the yap, yap, yapping obviously that’s kind of part of it… pic.twitter.com/uJeJ4xgDq6
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 14, 2024
It’s a role that’s all about looking out for the players, both on and off the court. The officials at NBPA make sure players get a fair deal. They also tackle player concerns and team up with the union to create rules that affect how players are treated, and their working conditions. They want to make sure player opinions count when decisions are made that shape the NBA’s future.
Grant Williams’ role at the NBPA was the reason he turned down the contract extension offer from the Boston Celtics
Williams’ position at the NBPA became the deciding factor in his choice to reject the contract extension proposal from the Boston Celtics. He indicated that his role at the NBPA provides him with a deeper understanding of the intricacies involved in negotiating contracts.
According to boston25news.com, in October, Williams mentioned that his role within the NBPA significantly influenced his decision to decline a contract extension offered by the Celtics before the season began. He expressed that he did not want an unfavorable deal for anyone involved. Williams pointed out that his position within the NBPA allowed him to grasp the path of the league, both in the present and the future.
In his words, “The role that I play as VP of the Player’s Association, you understand where the league is going in the future and where the league is currently at.” The decision, he clarified, was not only about “life-changing money” but about ensuring value not just for the current year but for the years to come.
Dallas Mavericks traded Williams because he was not in good shape
The Dallas Mavericks traded Grant Williams because of concerns about his poor condition on the hard court. Williams played 47 games with the Mavericks after four seasons with the Celtics. His playing time decreased from an average of 28 minutes in November to 22 minutes in January.
People within the Dallas Mavericks were turned off by Grant Williams’ ‘yapping,’ and he was reportedly not in good shape, per @espn_macmahon
“I would say one of the ways that Grant Williams rubbed people the wrong way, the yap, yap, yapping obviously that’s kind of part of it… pic.twitter.com/uJeJ4xgDq6
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 14, 2024
Even though he played a bit less and scored fewer points in Boston compared to Dallas, the Mavericks had a perfect 5-0 record in games where Williams didn’t play this season. They have remained undefeated at 4-0 since trading him. It appears there were also possible frustrations with the Mavericks. As seen in his switch from teammate Luka Dončić‘s shoes to former teammate Jayson Tatum’s signature shoes.