Dallas Mavericks: 5 cheap options in 2017 NBA free agency

5. Derrick Williams

Fresh off his first trip to the NBA Finals, Williams represents an intriguing option on a number of levels. First of all, Williams is still just 26, and has continually shown glimpses of the talent that made the No. 2 overall pick of the 2011 NBA Draft.

Last season represented a great deal of mixed fortune. Commencing the season with the Miami Heat, Williams played in 25 games before coming to a mutual agreement with the team to seek further opportunity elsewhere. To the surprise of many, the Cleveland Cavaliers came calling. And in his initial time with the Cavaliers, Williams certainly impressed.

Over his first 10 games with the Cavaliers, Williams averaged 10.3 points and 3.4 points in 24.6 minutes per game, which included shooting at a 54.8 percent clip from the field. However, as the team started to regain key personnel down the latter stretch of the season, Williams’ playing time diminished significantly.

One of the games during this stretch was a 14-point, seven-rebound performance in a win against the Milwaukee Bucks.

At 6-foot-8 and possessing elite athleticism, Williams’ major weakness has been his inability to cement a position on the frontcourt as his own. With an inconsistent jump shot, his contributions can fluctuate greatly depending on his outside shot. And having now played on five teams in his six seasons in the league, the time has come for him to find a place to officially call home.

But the teasing factor for all, involved throughout his career is that the talent is still there. Cavaliers’ head coach, Tyrone Lue, was full of praise shortly after his signing with the Cavaliers:

"“He’s a guy, you can put him on one through four. He guarded Rubio. He guarded Wiggins. He guarded (Gorgui) Dieng a little bit. (It’s) just his defensive versatility, his athleticism running the floor. You see LeBron threw him a lob, and also, be able to catch the ball on a direct line drive and get to the free-throw line. He’s been a good addition for us.”"

Furthermore, LeBron James was just as jubilant:

"“He fits perfectly, just energy and effort,” Cavaliers small forward LeBron James said. “Those west coast guys just love to run the floor, and my little league coaches always used to tell me I was like a west coast guy because I liked to run the floor as well. “Even without the practice time — we haven’t been able to practice since we signed him — he’s still fit in and is going to get better and better, hopefully. Obviously, we know he’s on a 10-day, but hopefully, he’ll be around for a little bit longer than that and he can get better and better in the system.”"

But with the recent signing of forward Jeff Green, and veteran forward Richard Jefferson agreeing to play a further season, Williams’ time in Cleveland appears to be over.

With untapped potential and age in his side, the Mavericks could do a lot worse than to take a punt on the former Arizona product.