Shawne Williams has officially exercised his player option for next season and will remain under contract with the Trail Blazers for another year, reports Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com. Haynes first reported in April that Williams would pick up his 2012/13 option, worth about $3.14MM.
Williams, 26, was traded to Portland in the deadline deal that sent Gerald Wallace to Brooklyn. Williams was included in the deal with Mehmet Okur for salary purposes, as both players were on the shelf with season-ending injuries at the time. Even before suffering his left foot injury, Williams was having a poor season, averaging just 4.5 PPG on 28.6% shooting in 25 games for the Nets.
If the Blazers choose to release Williams at any point this season, they'll still be on the hook for his $3MM+ salary, but could spread it over the next three season, under the CBA's stretch provision. Still, with Williams' agent Happy Walters expecting his client to be back to 100% health this summer, Portland will likely at least take a look at the former first-round pick.
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