6 Dallas Mavericks who are expendable, and 6 they can't afford to trade
By Noah Weber
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3. Can't afford to trade: Grant Williams
Grant Williams has struggled tremendously over the last month or so, and some fans have already started to turn on him. Even with his recent struggles, I believe that Grant Williams is someone the Mavs can't afford to trade.
Williams is averaging 9.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 0.6 blocks per game while shooting 40.6 percent from downtown. These are solid stats, but his stats from the beginning of the season are even better.
Williams was scorching hot from 3-point range to start the year, as he dropped 13 or more points in six of his first seven games with Dallas. This includes a 25-point game against the Chicago Bulls in which he went 7-9 from downtown. He was quickly becoming the Mavs' third-best player, but he has slowed down recently and has been in a bit of a shooting slump.
These shooting numbers could be discouraging to some, but I think Williams will bounce back and get back to playing at a high level. Shooting slumps don't last forever, and Williams is getting enough open looks to get back to playing well again.
He is also an essential vocal and defensive leader, and the Mavs don't have many of those players right now. Williams isn't untouchable by any means, but it doesn't make much sense to move one of your main players in the first year of his contract. Things take time, and Williams should get back to being an efficient shooter in no time.