2 Ways Grant Williams can help the Dallas Mavericks, 2 ways he could hurt

Help 2. Three-point shooting

Last season, the Dallas Mavericks attempted the third-highest 3-pointers per game. The team shot 41 threes per game, about two less than the Golden State Warriors.

Overall, they made 37.1 percent of their threes, for eighth best in the NBA. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving create plenty of open looks, and that should continue into next season.

This is where a player like Williams comes in handy. During the 2022-23 season, Dallas had two players who shot 40 percent or better from beyond the arc. That listed included Jaden Hardy, who made 40.4 percent, and Josh Green, who converted 40.2 percent of his 3-point shots.

In contrast, Williams was not off from Dallas' top two shooters. Last season, he converted 39.5 percent of his threes. The season before, he made 41.1 percent of his long-range shots.

Against the Miami Heat, he knocked in 42.9 percent of his threes. He had his best shooting performance in games 3 and 4. In both contests, he shot 66.7 percent from three. In game 4, he attempted a series-high six 3-pointers.

He had his best shooting month in October when he converted 66.7 percent of his threes. In two games, he shot perfectly, going 3-3 from behind the 3-point line.

Pairing him next to Doncic and Irving could be the missing link. Imagine one of Dallas' two star players collapsing defenders into the lane and having a wide-open Williams in the corner.