NBA Free Agency 2014: Miami Heat sign forward Shawne Williams
Adding to their frontcourt, the Miami heat have agreed to a deal with unrestricted free agent Shawne Williams.
Originally drafted 17th overall in the 2006 NBA Draft, Shawne Williams’ NBA career has been rocky. A seldom used forward in the first three years of his NBA career (Williams split time between the Dallas Mavericks and Indiana Pacers), Williams
Williams’ NBA fortunes would change in the following three seasons as the forward spent time with the New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, and Los Angeles Lakers. But following a release from the Lakers in 2012-13-, Williams would be unable to find a NBA home in the 2013-14 season.
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Now a member of the Heat, Williams will add to a small forward rotation of Luol Deng, Danny Granger, and James Ennis. If able to recreate his 2010-11 season (Williams shot 40 percent from three as a member of the New York Knicks), the small forward may find himself a key member of the rotation. And thanks to his stature, Erik Spoelstra could also use Williams as a small-ball power forward a la Rashard Lewis.
The addition of Williams likely means that Michael Beasley’s chances of returning to the Miami Heat are slim to none. But with several teams reportedly interested in the former number two overall pick, it may not be long before the combo forward finds work elsewhere.
In six NBA seasons, Williams has averaged 5.7 points on 40 percent shooting and 2.3 rebounds per game in his career.
The terms of Williams’ deal are undisclosed, but it’s likely he’s signed for the veterans minimum.