Former NBA All-Star and Illini great Deron Williams likely to sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers
The NBA trade deadline has come and went without much commotion. The biggest trade of the day was between the Chicago Bulls and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
This is what usually happens in the NBA, though. There isn’t much action on the actual trade deadline but there is always commotion. Trades usually happen before the deadline or after the season when the summer hits.
Besides for the possible trades, there were also rumors about some players getting a buyout so they can explore other options. Andrew Bogut was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers and is getting a buyout so he doesn’t have to remain with their sinking ship. He is rumored to possibly be going back to the Golden State Warriors or even the defending NBA Champion, Cleveland Cavaliers.
Another player rumored to be possibly going to the Cavs is former Illinois basketball great, Deron Williams. He was bought out by the Dallas Mavericks yesterday and once he clears the waiver wire he will be able to sign on anywhere he wants.
There are multiple teams that are interested in Williams, according to Marc Stein of ESPN. Those teams who have talked with Williams believe he will be joining the Cavaliers, though. This would be a huge move for him and his career.
Multiple teams interested in Deron Williams tell ESPN they believe Williams has already decided to join Cleveland upon clearing waivers
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 23, 2017
Williams was a star player heading into the 2005 NBA Draft. That is why the Utah Jazz selected him with the third overall pick that year. He was electric with the Jazz from the start. In his five and a half years with the Jazz, he averaged 17.3 points and 9.1 assists per game. There were multiple years in there where he was an All-Star snub as well.
During the 2010-11 season, Williams forced himself out of Utah and was traded to the New Jersey Nets. At the time he was averaging 21.3 points and 9.7 assists per game. He then helped the Nets to three straight playoff appearances.
Williams then signed on with the Mavericks for a two-year deal in 2015-16. He didn’t have bad numbers during his time in Dallas averaging 13.7 points and 6.2 assists per game. If he could have just stayed healthy his career would have been completely different.
The first three years with the Jazz were the only times Williams hit 80 games played in a season. Since then he has dealt with a multitude of injuries and that has derailed his career.
If the Cavs do end up signing Williams it will be a great pickup. While he isn’t the player he once was with the Jazz, he can still put up solid numbers and be a great backup point guard for an NBA Championship team. He is a three-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA, two-time Olympic Gold Medal winner, and was selected to the 2005-06 All-Rookie team.
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The only thing left to finish off this great career for Williams is an NBA Championship. He would be making a great decision heading to Cleveland and I hope he can get that ring.