After signing a 10-day contract with the Cavaliers on Thursday, Derrick Williams made his debut for the team on Thursday night and looked good, scoring 12 points in 22 minutes and converting all of his field goal attempts. While there’s no need for the Cavs to make any decisions on Williams yet, a team source tells Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com that the former No. 2 overall pick has a “strong chance” to earn a spot on the roster for the rest of the season.
Although Williams may not be the “playmaker” LeBron James publicly called for last month, he’s a fresh body who can play multiple positions and can provide insurance for some of the team’s veterans, writes Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com. One team source tells McMenamin that the Cavs view Williams as a “high reward, low risk” addition, despite the fact that his salary carries a $2.50 tax charge for every dollar, given the club’s tax standing.
The Cavs currently have 14 players on fully guaranteed contracts, with Williams occupying the 15th and final roster spot on a 10-day deal. Re-signing him to a second 10-day contract and then a rest-of-season deal when his current pact expires would tie up a roster spot for a Cleveland team that will be searching for additional upgrades at the deadline. However, the club is also carrying Chris Andersen, who is out for the season with a torn ACL — trading or releasing Andersen would free up an extra roster spot to allow for another addition.
Williams’ initial 10-day contract with the Cavs expires during the All-Star break, and the regular season won’t resume until several hours after the trade deadline passes on February 23, so Cleveland will likely keep that 15th roster spot open as the club explores deadline moves.
I really do hope it works out for him. I’m just saying that I didn’t see anything last night to think I’ll see anything different from what I’ve seen since the preseason. He looked lost defensively, as usual, and got beat on that end a lot. Offensively, they kept guarding him at the 3 point line, which makes no sense and he got a couple of easy baskets. Also drew a couple of fouls that were questionable, including the untouched missed wide open layup he got a call on. I hope he does get a chance to figure some things out, but I personally think there are more than a few better options for them
And he is great off the drobble
Lmao!! You won!
Thanks but me and formerlyz are cool now
Judging off last night he sort of bailed the Cavs out in a couple possessions. Having a guy like Lebron around who will get him looks will give him lots of scoring opportunities. Sad it has come down to this for Williams who was a second overall pick.
But since the trade for Korver. Their defense has been an issue. Derrick Williams doesn’t help them in that regard, and he doesn’t space the floor
You guys act like draft position matters. If he would have went tenth or 30th he’d still be the same player. Its not like he lied to get picked where he got picked. Get over it man. Its the suits that made a bad pick
I agree with that partially. Getting picked (especially as high as he was) at all means you now have an obligation. You have to work your tail off for that team
And live up to the potential and show everyone why you were drafted. I agree with the whole draft
Positioning thing though. No one knows how these players are gonna turn out until they turn out. Drafting is overrated. It’s about finding he guys with good character, skill that fits your organization, and potential/work ethic. But getting picked that high, you have to work hard and cannot become a journeyman. That’s what frustrates people. In the NBA you have to produce, adjust, and continue to get better. He hasn’t.
Same can be said of every sport.