Marvin Williams ‘getting significant interest’ from contenders
Forward Marvin Williams has been garnering “significant interest” from contending teams in anticipation of free agency on July 1, reports Tony Jones of the Salt Lake Tribune.
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Williams, 28, is set to become an unrestricted free agent after finishing the 2013-14 season playing for the Utah Jazz. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft, selected just ahead of Deron Williams and Chris Paul, Williams has settled into a journeyman’s career despite entering the league with high expectations out of UNC.
After seven years with the Atlanta Hawks, where he proved to be a decent starter but failed to live up to his potential, Williams was sent to Utah in 2012 in exchange for Devin Harris. He continued starting for the Jazz over the past couple seasons, but that’s more the result of a lack of alternatives than any significant progress from Williams.
In 66 games with Utah last season, he averaged 9.1 points and 5.1 rebounds per game while shooting 44 percent from the field and 36 percent from three.
That improved long-range shot, along with solid defense, make Williams a useful player even as he’s disappointed relative to his pedigree. As he hits unrestricted free agency, it’s not surprising that contending teams view him as a potentially cheap 3-and-D option on the wing.
Jones doesn’t list any specific teams that are courting Williams, but it wouldn’t be surprising if teams like Miami Heat and Los Angeles Clippers are in the mix. Both teams could use some depth on the wings, and while Williams isn’t explosive, he’s proven to be steady.