Los Angeles Clippers: The rise of C.J. Williams
The Los Angeles Clippers have relied on two-way players more (and more effectively) than anyone else in the league. C.J. Williams is a prime example of that success.
Despite being devastated by injuries throughout the season, the Los Angeles Clippers are still in the playoff hunt. A large part of that success is due to the new front office, and their focus on finding talent for the Agua Caliente Clippers. Three players have been brought up to the NBA squad on two-way deals from the G League team already, and the AC Clippers has been vital in getting playing time for the team’s rookies.
The success of the G League team is most clearly embodied in C.J. Williams. While Jamal Wilson found his way onto the NBA team first, Williams has stuck around. Furthermore, he has locked down a starting role despite competition from more proven players.
Jamil Wilson was cut and now plays for the crosstown (or more accurately, cross-stadium) rivals. However, C.J. Williams will probably be around for the long term. His breakout season speaks to both the Clippers’ injury concerns and the instant developmental success of the sans-Doc Rivers front office.
All-around contributions
Unlike Jamil Wilson, C.J. Williams is not a knockdown 3-point shooter. Indeed, it is difficult to point to any specific area where Williams truly stands out. On the other hand, there are not many areas in which Williams takes anything off the table. Despite coming in on a two-way deal, his all-around game has led to him earning 12 starting nods in his 12 games with the Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers have a slightly negative Net Rating for the season, but outscore their opponents on average with C.J. on the court. At 6’5″ and with decent bulk, Williams is a capable defender at both wing position. He ranks 34th out of 105 qualified shooting guard in Defensive Real Plus-Minus, per ESPN.
Williams is not a brilliant offensive player, but he is capable enough on that end to allow his defensive contributions to shine through. C.J. is not exactly a dead-eye shooter with his 33.9 percent mark from deep, but he is good enough from out there that he needs to be guarded. He is also a great off-ball cutter, which gets him easy baskets if teams do decide to ignore him defensively.
Future outlook
The Los Angeles Clippers have already let go of one two-way player who made his way into the starting lineup. Jamil Wilson found himself out of a job after the team’s lack of guard depth forced the Clippers to replace him with Tyrone Wallace.
The loss of Wilson might appear to bode ill for C.J.’s chances of sticking around. However, Wilson had fallen out of the rotation before Wallace joined the team. Williams, on the other hand, has started every game since Dec. 18. On top of that, it is hard to cut a player after he wins you a game:
C.J. Williams is rapidly approaching the 45-day limit with the Los Angeles Clippers.
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Since he has earned his way into the starting lineup and does not appear to be leaving it any time soon, Williams will probably get his two-way contract converted to a full deal sooner rather than later.