NBA Free Agency 2014: Charlie Villanueva wants to find the ‘right situation’
Since signing a ridiculously overpriced contract in 2009, big man Charlie Villanueva has been much of an afterthought. He failed to live up to the five-year, $35 million, with his role shifting from franchise cornerstone to role player as the contract played out.
Now a free agent, Villanueva is parsing through his options, hoping to find a landing spot that is the right situation for his skillsets.
"“The past two years in Detroit, it just seems that they went in a different direction, but I just want to go to the right situation that works best for me,” he said. “It’s not going to be a financial decision. It’s going to be more a decision that’s right for me basketball-wise. I just need to be in the right situation and being able to play. I just need to play and get those minutes, and I’ll be able to produce.”"
At best, Villanueva is a seven to ten minutes a game player who provides floor spacing to a team for the veterans minimum. Last season, Villanueva had, arguably, the worst season of his pro career, stumbling on several career lows from points (4.6), field-goal percentage (38%), three-point percentage (25%), minutes per game (9.0), and total rebounds per game (1.7).
Unclear if the intentions remain, but it was reported near the buyout deadline that Charlie Villanueva was interested in joining the Houston Rockets.
Villanueva will turn 30 in August.