Report: Mavericks swap Grant Williams for PJ Washington in trade with Hornets

Charlotte Hornets forward P.J. Washington dribbles during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

The Dallas Mavericks swapped Grant Williams for Charlotte Hornets forward PJ Washington and expect to add Washington Wizards center Daniel Gafford at the NBA’s trade deadline, according to multiple reports.

The Mavs will send Williams and Seth Curry, along with a top-two protected 2027 first-round draft pick, to the Hornets for Washington and a pair of second-round picks, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

Dallas is in the process of trying to procure additional draft compensation in its pursuit of Gafford, Marc Stein of Substack reported. Richaun Holmes is expected to land in Washington as part of an expected deal.

Williams, who helped the Boston Celtics to the 2022 NBA Finals and 2023 Eastern Conference finals, inked a four-year, $53.3 million contract with the Mavericks in a sign-and-trade deal in July. That transaction cost the Mavericks an additional first-round pick swap in 2030, two second-round picks and Reggie Bullock.

Williams averaged 8.1 points (on 41/38/75 shooting splits), 3.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 26.4 minutes over 47 appearances for the Mavericks. Prior to resting three games in early December with a sore right knee, Williams started every game and shot better than 40% from 3-point range, looking very much like the 3-and-D forward option Dallas imagined for Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving. Since his return, Williams’ 3-point percentage dipped below league average, and he lost his starting job to a number of small-ball options.

Williams and Curry, who played sparingly in his return to Dallas, are both natives of the Charlotte area.

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