New York Knicks forward Derrick Williams. (Photo : Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns are reportedly interested in signing incoming New York Knicks free agent Derrick Williams this offseason.
Williams just finished the first season of his two-year, $9 million deal with the Knicks that came with a player option at the end of the first year. The 25-year-old former no. 2 draft pick is said to be opting out of his contract to test the free-agency market this summer and rumors are swirling that at least two teams will try to send him an offer.
Those two teams are the Lakers and Suns, who both have such young rosters that may be boosted by the still young veteran forward.
Lakers Nation indicated that general manager Mitch Kupchak is looking to "find established talent" in this coming free-agency period as he wants the team to "get better fast" following the appointment of Luke Walton as head coach and the selection of rookies Brandon Ingram and Ivica Zubac in the recently concluded NBA Draft.
Williams had been a solid backup forward for the Knicks in 2015-2016, averaging 9.3 points and 3.7 rebounds in only 17.9 minutes of playing time per night. There were instances when he had shown his ability to score prolifically coming off the bench, such as his 24-point output in a win over Milwaukee and a 31-point outburst in a loss to Boston last season, and that may be what drew the Lakers' attention on him.
Knicks president Phil Jackson is actually keen on keeping him next season, but with Williams choosing to become an unrestricted free agent this July, it is clear that the former Arizona standout is eager to test things with other clubs.
Meanwhile, SB Nation reported that the Suns may also be interested in snagging Williams this summer. As of the moment, Phoenix is short on big men as they only have veteran Tyson Chandler and young guns Alex Len and Alan Williams in their frontline.
The report noted that Williams "would be a useful stop-gap option at the four" for the Suns and "could provide some scoring punch off of the bench if needed" as what his current role is with the Knicks.
At 25 years old, there is still a lot of untapped potential in the 2012 NBA All-Rookie Second Teamer that was not able to be unleashed yet.
