Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA Rumors: Mo Williams Agrees to Deal With Minnesota Timberwolves

By Michael Dunlap

Apr 27, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Mo Williams (25) reacts after making a shot against the Houston Rockets during the fourth quarter in game four of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Mo Williams (25) reacts after making a shot against the Houston Rockets during the fourth quarter in game four of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, free agent point guard Mo Williams could be the next member of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Williams spent the 2013-14 season with the Portland Trail Blazers, averaging 9.7 points and 4.3 assists per game in just 24.8 minutes. He’d be a solid veteran backup to Ricky Rubio and would add another offensive option off the bench.

In this case, it could be the rich getting richer. The Wolves were one of the league’s best offensive teams in 2013-14, and Williams would just make them deeper. Minnesota finished No. 3 in the NBA in points scored per game (106.9) and were No. 9 in offensive rating (108.9). Where they need the most help is on the defensive side of things. Does Williams help that?

In a word…no. Williams split time between the two guard spots last season for the Blazers and didn’t fare well defensively at either. According to 82games.com, Williams allowed point guards to achieve an efficiency rating of 16.9, with shooting guards putting up a better-than-average 16.3.

With that said, Williams is a knock-down shooter (h/t Mark Jackson) who isn’t afraid of the spotlight. His slash line of .417/.369/.876 is just fine for a bench guy and his 6.3 assists per-36 minutes last season was actually better than his career average (5.9).

With the growing potential for Kevin Love hitting the road (and the subsequent potential for Andrew Wiggins to come back in the deal), this Williams signing could make more sense. A combination of Rubio and Kevin Martin as the starters with Williams and Wiggins off the bench would work. Let’s not act like losing Love would be death for the Wolves, either — they’ve still got a best in Nikola Pekovic in the paint and upstart rookie Gorgui Dieng ready to further contribute.

This would be Williams’ sixth NBA team, as he spent four seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks, parts of three with the Cleveland Cavaliers, two with the Utah Jazz, parts of two with the Los Angeles Clippers and one with the Blazers.

UPDATE: Williams has agreed to a deal.

Home/NBA Rumors