As of 5pm Eastern Standard Time, veteran point guard and former All-Star Deron Williams’ agent confirms his client’s intent to join the Cleveland Cavaliers, per FOX Sports Ohio’s Sam Amico.
Williams was waived last Thursday following the NBA trade deadline, and after spending 48 hours on the waiver wire, he has been cleared to sign as a free agent with whichever team he wants.
In the NBA, waivers work in such a way that players have to spend 48 hours on the wire after being cut from a team. During this time, any team has the ability to claim that player, which results in that team picking up the player’s current contract as long as they have the cap room. In this case, Williams’ current salary of $9 million was not acquirable by the Cavs. After that 48-hour period, a player is considered a free agent and can sign a new contract.
According to Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com, the Cavs plan to offer Williams a pro-rated veteran minimum salary of $1.55 million dollars to finish out the season. Last month, LeBron James called for a playmaker, and Williams fits that bill perfectly, averaging seven assists and 14 points per game while shooting 34.8% from three point range for the Mavs this season.
In a surprising twist, Vardon also reported that the reason Williams was not claimed off waivers, despite interest from teams such as the Utah Jazz, had to do with Williams’ agent warning interested teams not to claim his client due to his desire to join Cleveland.
Williams is expected to sign on Monday according to a report by The Vertical’s Shams Charania, and would likely first suit up for the Wine and Gold against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday, March 1st.
Williams will take up Cleveland’s 15th roster spot. If another buyout candidate such as Andrew Bogut becomes available, the Cavs can either waive Derrick Williams, although unlikely, or buy out a candidate such as Jordan McCrae if they believe Bogut would be instrumental to a championship run.
