We should just call this NBA Finals the Grant Williams Bowl. He’s become one of the most interesting points of conversation and the series hasn’t even started yet.
Folks are wondering whether Williams, a former Boston Celtic and Dallas Maverick, could get a championship ring out of the NBA Finals this year with his two former teams playing one another.
The questions were also fueled by a quote reportedly circulated by Williams stating that he wouldn’t turn down a championship ring from either team if he was, indeed, offered one.
But would he actually get one? That’s the question. And there is an answer to it. But, first, let’s make a quick point of clarification.
That Grant Williams quote on the NBA Finals isn’t real
The internet has been circulating a quote that Williams allegedly said he wouldn’t turn down a championship ring.
As it turns out, though, that quote isn’t real — it’s from the Ballsack Sports parody account. Not only was Williams not asked about this, but he never actually said this either.
Grant Williams says he will not turn down a championship ring from either Boston or Dallas.
“I’ve worked too hard for this.” 👀🫡 pic.twitter.com/XhgdsFTbVg
— Ballsack Sports (@BallsackSports) May 31, 2024
This is just a case of the internet taking the wrong thing and running with it. Again.
What a shame.
Wow. Ok. But still — could Williams get a championship ring?
I’m not sure if Williams would actually get a ring, but it’s certainly possible that he could. At least, if the Mavericks win, anyway.
Remember, while Williams was a staple in the Celtics’ rotation for years, he didn’t actually play for the Celtics this season. He was sent to Dallas in a 3-team trade last summer as part of a deal netting Boston some second-round picks. So he wasn’t part of Boston’s roster this season and wouldn’t be able to get a championship ring from a successful NBA Finals run.
But Williams did play for Dallas this year. He was a Maverick until Dallas traded him to Charlotte during the NBA’s trade deadline. That’s technically long enough that the team could offer him a championship ring should the Mavericks win it all.
That’s a big if, though. The Mavericks would have to decide whether to offer Williams a ring. But if he was to get a ring this year, Dallas is the only place it could come from.