Dallas Obtained Williams to Support Its Stars
The Mavericks acquired Grant Williams from Boston in July 2023 through a sign-and-trade involving San Antonio. Williams had played valuable defensive forward minutes for the Celtics and could stretch the floor, which made him a plausible complementary option beside Dallas's lead ball handlers. He entered on a multiyear contract rather than as a one-season rental. The receiving-team question was whether his defensive skills and outside shooting would translate into the Mavericks' rotation, not whether his previous playoff appearances with Boston could be retroactively counted as Dallas success.
Boston Chose Three Different Second-Round Options
The Celtics obtained a 2024 second-round choice routed through San Antonio, a 2025 second-round swap with Dallas and another second-round selection from Dallas in 2030. The 2024 right became associated with No. 41 Adem Bona, but that historical selection reference doesn't mean the Celtics received his eventual playing career. The team was converting a restricted free agent's departure into future draft flexibility while limiting longer-term roster expense. The different years and conditional mechanics should be traced independently rather than presented as three immediately selected players.
San Antonio and Dallas Exchanged More Than Williams
The Spurs obtained Reggie Bullock from the Mavericks and an unprotected right to swap 2030 first-round selections with Dallas. Bullock offered veteran perimeter defense and shooting; the future first-round swap had substantial potential but no guaranteed draft position when executed. Dallas also acquired 2025 and 2028 second-round selections routed from San Antonio. Those incoming Mavericks picks are part of the same official three-team deal even though the earlier Boston-only record omitted them. Each receiving team's actual contract and pick obligations must be kept intact.
The Celtics Grade Favors Flexibility Over Immediate Minutes
The inherited Celtics B+ reflects the collection of future rights from allowing Williams to move. San Antonio's B values Bullock and the unprotected first-round swap, while Dallas receives C- for Williams and the incoming second-round picks. Williams did not stay with the Mavericks for the full initial contract term, which limits direct team value, but the Spurs and Dallas packages weren't empty. The narrow Boston edge is a judgment about total compensation and not a claim that second-round selections guaranteed franchise stars.
Final Verdict
Slight Celtics Edge. Boston earns B+ for three future second-round opportunities after trading Grant Williams. San Antonio receives B for Reggie Bullock and an unprotected 2030 first-round swap with Dallas. The Mavericks get C- for Williams plus 2025 and 2028 second-round picks sent from San Antonio. The corrected league record includes meaningful compensation for all three teams and avoids attributing later draft careers to initial rights holders.