After spending much of last season on the fringe of the Dallas Mavericks’ rotation, Brandon Williams turned an unexpected opportunity into a breakthrough.
When injuries to Kyrie Irving and Danté Exum thinned the Mavericks’ backcourt, Williams stepped up and made the most of his minutes — particularly after the All-Star break. Over that span, he averaged 14.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.4 steals in just 23.4 minutes per game, shooting 54.8% from the field, 39.5% from three-point range, and 85.7% at the line.
That strong finish earned him more than just recognition — it secured him a standard two-year contract worth over $2.3 million, solidifying his place in Dallas’ plans heading into the 2025–26 season.
Brandon Williams on Seizing His Moment
Williams’ late-season emergence was no accident — it was the product of months spent preparing for a chance that might never come.
“I’m kind of just picking up where I left off, jelling with the new guys that we have, so I can get used to this new offense and ultimately just using my pace,” Williams said. “The next man up mentality was my whole thing last year. Unfortunately, guys went out, so I had to step in. It just shows the work that I did behind the scenes and the people that were around me.”
Head coach Jason Kidd praised Williams’ professionalism and his ability to stay ready when opportunity came.
“When you talk about B-Will’s prep — being ready, staying ready even when he wasn’t playing — that was crucial,” Kidd said. “When the injuries hit, he took full advantage of that. When he’s healthy, he’s a problem.”
Adjusting to a Faster System
This preseason, Williams has faced a different test — patience. A left hamstring strain suffered during training camp in Vancouver has kept him off the floor, forcing him to take in the Mavericks’ new offense from the sidelines.
“We’re fading away from everybody just playing one-on-one and focusing on team basketball,” Williams said. “I like the new offense. I like how guys were running it — there was a lot of talking. I think we can improve with offensive rebounding, crashing the boards.”
Even while recovering, Williams has taken an active role in learning the team’s new motion-heavy system. The Mavericks are emphasizing ball movement, cutting, and pace — a clear shift from the isolation-heavy style of past seasons.
“We’re fading away from everybody just playing one-on-one and focusing on team basketball,” Williams said. “I like the new offense. I like how guys were running it — there was a lot of talking. I think we can improve with offensive rebounding, crashing the boards.”
Learning From Veterans, Leading Young Players
For Williams, progress has always come through learning. From Kyrie Irving’s mentorship to new insights from D’Angelo Russell, he’s focused on absorbing everything he can from those around him.
“It’s a bigger brother, mentor, teammate,” Williams said of Irving. “I got to learn a lot from him — not just on the court, but really off the court and what he can bring.”
“D’Angelo has been in the league for a while,” he added. “He’s composed and has shown me a lot in terms of the point guard position — seeing different coverages, staying poised.”
Kidd said Williams’ maturity now positions him to mentor Dallas’ younger guards, including Ryan Nembhard and Cooper Flagg.
“Williams has walked in those footsteps that Ryan and Cooper are going to walk,” Kidd said. “Being able to share that experience is a bonus. Leadership — being around Kai, Klay, Dwight, and now D-Lo — helps him understand what it means to be a leader as a point guard in this league.”
Brandon Williams on Mavericks’ Outlook: “We’re Going to Be Nice”
Watching from the bench during Dallas’ 106-89 preseason win over the Thunder, Williams said the team’s defensive identity is already taking shape. The Mavericks’ size, communication, and intensity stood out — as did Cooper Flagg’s athleticism.
“For me as a point guard coming off screens, dudes are big out there and flying around,” Williams said. “You add Cooper into that mix and we’re going to be nice.”
Williams wasn’t surprised when Flagg’s chase-down block led to an Anthony Davis alley-oop dunk.
“We saw it probably 50 times before that,” he said. “It’s just about him being able to show you guys and prove not only to everybody, but prove to himself that he belongs.”
Kidd said the next step for Williams will come in managing the game as a true floor general.
“When you have the ball, you’re our leader,” Kidd said. “Understanding time and score, who hasn’t gotten a shot, how we’re playing — that’s the growth we want to see from him.”
A Pivotal Season Awaits
From two-way contract to trusted reserve, Brandon Williams has already rewritten his career in Dallas. The next challenge — sustaining it — will depend on health, consistency, and continuing to evolve as a leader in a faster system.
And if his track record is any indication, he’ll be ready when the moment arrives.
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