Mavericks' slept-on speedster is suddenly turning into trade gold

The Dallas Mavericks are expected to be active in trade conversations over the next month, and Brandon Williams is quietly proving that he is a valuable asset that rival teams should covet by the time the February 5 trade deadline rolls around. He is making a name for himself at the perfect time, and this could result in him playing himself right off the Mavericks.

Williams hasn't been in any individual trade rumors by any means, but his $2.3 million expiring salary is bound to be an attractive addition for teams that are looking to make a trade with Dallas. Fans have forgotten that Dallas can utilize Williams in a trade if they please, and he could be the sweetener that a trade needs to get across the finish line.

He has been incredible off the bench for the Mavericks over the last three games, averaging 20.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game, and Jason Kidd is playing him more than fan-favorite rookie Ryan Nembhard right now.

Brandon Williams' breakout stretch makes him an attractive trade piece

Despite Nembhard being the starter, Williams has been playing significantly more minutes than him, raising the question if Williams should start. His speed and ability to get to the rim are game-changing, and teams from the league have to like what they're seeing.

He is the picture-perfect spark plug for a playoff team that needs scoring and energy off the bench, and those are his specialties. The game looks significantly different when he is on the floor, and his presence alone can turn the tide of the game when he is dominating in transition and keeping the defense on its heels.

Despite Williams' emergence, trade talks have been the main talking point surrounding the Mavericks, and making the money work is always one of the biggest challenges when teams agree to trades. Dallas is actively shopping Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford, Klay Thompson, and D'Angelo Russell, and if the Mavericks move on from any of these players, other players are bound to be involved in the deal as well.

Williams is quietly one of the few tradeable Mavericks who has positive value, and they could decide to move on from him if they don't see him being a key piece of their young core alongside Cooper Flagg. Dallas has indicated that their focus is on the future with Flagg at the head of the snake, and Williams' future is not locked in by any means.

He will enter restricted free agency after this season, and if Dallas doesn't think that they can afford to keep him, it's in their best interest to move on. It's not like they will be playing for the playoffs this season, and Williams could get them back some positive value if the right deal presents itself.

Williams hasn't been discussed as one of the Mavericks' key trade assets yet, but if he continues to play as he has been, that conversation will be impossible to ignore.