CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Although he’s not a part of them anymore, Grant Williams believes the Dallas Mavericks have what it takes
to reach the NBA Finals this season.
“Trust me, that team can be a championship contender,” Williams said after Tuesday morning’s shootaround at the Spectrum Center. “I think it’s all about depending on the (playoff) matchup. That’s the only thing that would be concerning.
“Outside of that, I think that team can go to the Western Conference Finals and the NBA Finals, especially with the path that they play.”
Williams has a little cheat sheet as far as his perspective on the Mavs goes. After all, he was a member of the Mavs until Feb. 8 when they traded him, Seth Curry and a 2027 first-round pick to the Charlotte Hornets for P.J. Washington and two second-round picks.
Thus, Williams knows what drives the Mavs and knows the idiosyncrasies of what makes this team tick. And he knows the Mavs have two future Hall of Fame players in Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving commanding their backcourt, and who can take over a game at a moment’s notice.
“The talent is there,” Williams said. “With Kyrie and Luka, you’re going to have the best player in the (playoff) series almost every series, and that’s 
what you need in a playoff series. Then you have the ability to have versatile lineups. The team is so deep.
“That’s one of the many benefits of Dallas is that Josh Green, who is even hurt right now and is not playing. And then Tim (Hardaway Jr.) is playing 10 minutes a night now. You still have those guys in a series where if you need firepower offensively, you can throw those guys in.”
The biggest box the Mavs checked since trading Williams – according to Williams — was obtaining center Daniel Gafford from the Washington Wizards. Gafford gives the Mavs a dominant figure in the middle who can rebound, protect the paint and be an aggressive and authoritative figure around the rim.
“The Gafford addition has been huge,” Williams said. “I think that was the most needed thing, especially for the team. He’s been phenomenal for the team.
“His physicality, his motor. It’s like Dwight Powell with a seven-foot body and wingspan and ability to block shots, so it’s really good for the team.”
Williams also is really high on two other Mavs’ role players — Dante Exum and Derrick Jones Jr.
“Guys that I’ve always said deserve more credit than anyone is Dante Exum and Derrick Jones Jr.,” Williams said. “At the beginning since when I was on the team — and even in Abu Dhabi (during the preseason) – you could tell their ability to play with pace, and also really compliment (Doncic and Irving) on the floor.
“They may not necessarily get the limelight that they deserve. But those two, I think, are the reason for the team’s success more than anything outside of Gafford.”
After playing four seasons with the Boston Celtics, Williams was shipped to the Mavs last summer in a sign-and-trade transaction. Then came the midseason trade to the Hornets, which came as no surprise to Williams.
“I knew it was coming,” Williams said. “We communicated well throughout the process. (Mavs general manager) Nico (Harrison), I respect those 
guys a lot.
“There’s no hard feelings on my end, or I think on their end as well. I think they’ve just moved on.”
The fact that Williams is back in his hometown of Charlotte lessens the idea that he’s on a team that’s headed to the NBA Draft Lottery.
“I’m from Charlotte, so that helps,” Williams said. “I know the area and I’m thankful just being with this team and with folks I love, and the group of guys are good.”
By contrast, Williams is excited for Washington, who is a player he said he’s “closely connected” to.
“We’ve known each other since we were in college,” Williams said. “My dad and his dad are very close, and they talk all the time. We all knew (the trade) was coming, and this old joke about should we buy each other houses, it was a goofy thing.
“I’m happy for him. He deserves the ability to play for a contending team, the success of a team like Dallas and be able to be home around those who love him and care about him, as well as he offers a lot to that team in terms of the versatility and size and be able to play small-ball five. I think it’s a great add for them.”
As far as his emotions of seeing his former Mavs teammates, Williams offered some clarity by saying: “It’s different, because I was there half of the year compared to Boston when I was there for four (years). I still have relationships with (the Mavs).
“We didn’t make any deep playoff runs, so it might be a little different feelings-wise. But at the same time, I still have a lot of care for those guys. I’m happy to see them really succeed.”
The Mavs are 14-2 in their last 16 games entering Tuesday’s 6 p.m. tipoff against the Hornets at the Spectrum Center. Their success is of no surprise to Williams, who saw the Mavs battle through multiple injuries to key players earlier this season when he was still part of the Dallas organization.
“But now this team is getting healthy right around the right time of the season,” Williams said. “And not only are they getting healthy, but I feel like they have a full grasp of the defensive system and concepts, and they have the ability now to really make a mark and make a run at something.
“It’s all about them staying together and making sure that they prioritize the team and making sure they focus on the winning goal, which I think they are right now. They look really good and are fun to watch.”
X: @DwainPrice
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