There are players in the league that seem to get numerous chances at resurrection. Derrick Williams could be on the verge of getting his second chance at revitalizing what’s been a disappointing professional career. Williams had three DNPs and roughly six minutes on the hardwood in eight of the first 11 games.
Williams’ NBA story is a work of fantasy that’s close to being finished. His only saving grace is being drafted second originally to the Minnesota Timberwolves right after point guard stud Kyrie Irving.
Throughout his career he’s averaged an unimpressive 9.4 points and 4.6 rebounds while playing less than 20 minutes only twice in his four-year career. Williams never found a role in the Kings rotation, and now he could be on his way out.
According to Rui Thomas of Cowbell Kingdom, the Kings have increased Williams minutes in the interest of trading him;
"It’s no secret that Williams’ time is coming to an end in Sacramento. He is regarded around the league as a reclamation project at best, and at worst, a bust. The Kings can sell him to other clubs as an expiring deal, or let him walk when free agency begins."
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Since Nov. 20, during a span of five contests Williams has played slightly less than 20 minutes per game. His averages within that timeframe include 7.6 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. Good enough to convince any team he’s worth trading for, and more than enough to stir confidence in Williams’ abilities in a new system.
The Kings certainly want to avoid the issue of Williams’ impending restricted free agency, and best-case scenario they would love to find reliable assets for him. There’s some advantage for teams trading for Williams, which includes the ability to decrease payroll and lose some long-term contracts.
Coach Michael Malone and the Kings front office will have to ride the careful balance of extending too many minutes to Williams while continuing the early season progress the team has made. Much of which hasn’t had to do with Williams.
Fact is Williams is simply lucky. Simply put, he has no home in the NBA due to his inability to serve as a true fit at any position. He’s too weak of a rebounder and post defender to be set as a power forward, and as a 29.6 percent career shooter from deep, he’s no threat on the wing either.
As the Kings have transitioned from Western Conference bottom feeders to middle-of-the-pack noise makers, guys like Williams have become expendable. his potential has yet to be realized, and it’s completely unclear as to what expunges more than consistent inconsistency from Williams.
With Rudy Gay‘s extension counting against the Kings cap about nine months earlier than general manager Pete D’Alessandro counted on, there’s a lack of space for locker room guys. Especially locker room guys with no veteran experience.
There’s no space at all for players who command an $8.26 million qualifying offer and are unable to contribute quality minutes on the floor.
Expect this trade to be carried out well before the deadline as the writing has been on the wall for sometime.
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