The trade involving Grant Williams by the Dallas Mavericks was motivated by a desire to part ways with a player who had “created friction with several individuals.”

According to a recent report, the Dallas Mavericks’ decision to trade Grant Williams was driven not only by their belief that PJ Washington would be a valuable addition to the roster but also by a strong desire to part ways with Williams as soon as possible before the NBA trade deadline.

Despite numerous trades occurring on Thursday, the trade deadline day did not witness many blockbuster deals. However, one of the noteworthy moves made this week was by the Dallas Mavericks, who appeared on the NBA transactions list after trading Grant Williams—a player whom they had signed to a four-year, $53 million contract earlier this summer—to the Charlotte Hornets.

The trade resulted in the acquisition of PJ Washington, who appears to be an upgraded version of Williams. Moreover, the trade served as a public acknowledgment of the disappointment surrounding Williams’ signing earlier in the offseason. Additionally, it appears that the decision to trade Williams, a former first-round pick, was influenced by his lack of popularity within the organization.

During an episode of the “Hoop Collective” podcast on Friday, ESPN NBA insider Tim McMahon shared intriguing insights into why the Dallas Mavericks decided to part ways with Grant Williams after just a few months.

“They gave up a 2030 swap for Grant Williams and then dumped him as soon as they possibly could, which they were determined to dump him,” McMahon stated. “Not just about getting P.J. Washington, they wanted to be out of the Grant Williams’ business. He rubbed a lot of people the wrong way.”

Williams was averaging a career-high 26.4 minutes, but his statistics were either similar to or lower than those of previous seasons. His three-point shooting, which is a crucial aspect of his 3-and-D reputation, declined to 38% from 40% in the 2022-23 season.