Derrick Williams is more than likely to be signed for the rest of the season with the Cleveland Cavaliers needing all the help they can get up front. The Cavs did sign him just for 10 days but based on his play, he may be sticking around until the end of the season.
Williams showed what he could do when the Cavs played the Denver Nuggets. He dropped 7 points in 20 minutes of action. The 25-year-old has even impressed LeBron James, hinting that he wants the former no. 2 pick to remain in Cleveland, ESPN reported.
"We're happy to have him," James said. "It's not many places you're going to find a 6-[foot]-8 wing with athleticism like that at 25. So we're lucky to have him."
Derrick Williams was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves at no. 2 in the 2011 NBA Draft. He has become a journeyman since and criticized for his inconsistent play. He is seen more of a player that can energize teams – meaning he carries intangibles.
Williams would have still been with the New York Knicks had he not opted out of his $4.5 million deal. He went to the Miami Heat but never really made an impact. He was eventually waived and the Cavs beat other teams to him.
Seeing how other teams passed on him, Williams has used the shunning as something to motivate him. He admits it being disrespectful and now has a little chip on his shoulder, Ohio.com reported. With renewed trust and confidence, the Cavaliers stand to gain with his renewed chance to prove himself.
So far, things have been going great with Williams getting playing time. This was something he barely had with the Heat, showing what Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra gave up. Cavs coach Tyronn Lue admits that he is experimenting a bit right now. From the looks of it, Williams is ready to do whatever the Cavs ask him to do on the playing court.
With Williams covering the frontline need, attention now shifts to the backup guard row. After holding midseason tryouts, Jordan Farmar reportedly has the inside track. Alternatively, the Cavs are also considering Jose Calderon of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Derrick Williams and LeBron James weigh in on the status of the former in the video below.