With Kyrie Irving sidelined until mid-to-late January as he recovers from ACL surgery, the Dallas Mavericks will lean on D’Angelo Russell as the probable starting point guard. But behind him, a sleeper option is ready to make waves—Brandon Williams.
Williams is no stranger to being overlooked. Last season, he began the year on a two-way contract, splitting time between the Mavericks and the G League. When injuries opened up rotation minutes, he seized the opportunity. Over a 13-game stretch late in the year, Williams averaged 15.4 points per game, proving that he could score against NBA defenses. His breakout included a 31-point, 6-assist, 5-rebound game against Memphis, tying the third-highest scoring night ever by a two-way player.
Dallas rewarded him with a standard NBA deal. On April 10, the Mavericks signed Williams to a two-year, $2.32 million contract. It comes with smart protections for the team—$200K was guaranteed in July, $850K will be locked in by opening night, and the deal becomes fully guaranteed in January of 2026. The structure aligns perfectly with the Mavericks’ current needs: they expect him to produce right away while Irving recovers.
Williams’ numbers already hint at his potential. In 33 games last season, he averaged 8.3 points, 2.3 assists, and 1.8 rebounds in just 14.8 minutes per game. He did it efficiently, too, shooting 52.1% from the field, 40% from three, and 83.3% at the line. When he gets hot, he can swing the momentum of a game almost instantly.
The young guard credits his improvement to confidence: “Just coming in and being more comfortable every game… the game has slowed down for me,” Williams said after signing his new deal. Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd backed him up, saying, “He’s been great. He’s done everything we’ve asked.”
For a Dallas team now built around Anthony Davis in the frontcourt and Russell running the offense, Williams provides the type of scoring punch that can keep the second unit dangerous. His ability to create his shot and stretch the floor is exactly what the Mavericks need to stay competitive until Kyrie returns.
As the Mavericks push through the early months without Irving, Brandon Williams isn’t just a sleeper—he’s a potential difference-maker. By the time January rolls around, NBA fans may no longer be surprised by what he brings to Dallas.