Cleveland Cavaliers Will Sign Point Guard Deron Williams
By Ryan Rosko
More talent is on its way to the Cleveland Cavaliers’ roster.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been making moves to prepare themselves for a shot to defend their championship. Such moves include trading for guard/forward Kyle Korver and signing forward Derrick Williams.
The glaring need of another point guard has been known. Various options could have fit, including internal ones, but Cleveland went the free agent route.
According to The Vertical’s Shams Charania, Cleveland will sign Deron Williams on Monday.
Deron Williams will sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday, league sources tell @TheVertical.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 25, 2017
The veteran point guard was waived and had to clear waivers in order to chosen his next team. Williams had been playing for the Dallas Mavericks and before that there were stops with the Brooklyn Nets and the Utah Jazz.
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Cleveland’s approach to adding veterans is not surprising. Knowing they needed help with their bakckup point guard role, the Cavaliers could have signed former Canton Charge point guard Quinn Cook. However, since he has very little experience at the NBA level, the chances of him actually being signed was probably very slim given Cleveland’s MO.
Now that Cleveland added help with an established point guard, that need is off the table. However, they could still make another move or two to help with their bench for the postseason run.
Since Williams is going to be a member of the Cavaliers, what will it cost owner Dan Gilbert? According to The Vertical’s Bobby Marks, it will cost $908,341.
The Deron Williams signing in Cleveland will cost a combined $908,341.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) February 25, 2017
$259,526 -Salary
$648,815- Luxury Tax
Even before Cleveland was set to sign Williams, they were going to have pay luxury tax. The opportunity to add a player like Williams does not come around every day, and given their need, this is the best fit for both parties.
Williams is not the player he was, but as a leader coming off of the bench, Cleveland certainly improved. Besides, Williams does not have to be at an all-star level anymore to make an impact.
The former University of Illinois product was drafted in 2005. Having been in the NBA for 11 seasons and experiencing his share of success, Williams could be another key resource to starting point guard Kyrie Irving‘s ongoing improvement.
Williams no longer has to start and his role is going to change joining the Cavaliers’ organization. He has been used as a starter up until this point, but the adjustment should be good for him. Once Cleveland gets breathing room in the standings, the Cavs could choose to rest Irving occasionally for the playoffs. If that happens, Williams would then move back into the starting lineup.
Whatever his role and the things that are asked of him, Williams should succeed in Cleveland. Williams is a luxury for the Cavs coming off of the bench and especially come the playoffs, he will show how beneficial he can be for his new team.
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I am excited to see what he can do and given his skill set should also allow Cleveland to have more options with their lineups. From small ball with he and guards Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith on the wings to other lineups, the options are very intriguing to think about!