Magic Sign White Chocolate
The Magic added their 3rd PG this evening when they signed Jason Williams off of a one year retirement. Williams is a true goofball, won an NBA championship as the starting PG on the Heat, and can spend countless hours on the team plane comparing tattoos with Jameer Nelson.
From the Sentinel:
From the Sentinel:
"We knew going into the workout what he can do as a player," Magic Coach Stan Van Gundy said. "This guy's played in the NBA for 10 years, been very successful. You know he's got great skills, can really see the floor and pass. Deep range on his jump shot. With a guy who's been out a year you just want to make sure that physically he's OK."This is a move I thought the Magic should have made last summer. Somehow the Magic decided they didn't need him so he signed with the Clippers, apparently sobered up, and promptly retired. If he has anything left he will be a joy to watch distribute the ball.
Williams, along with Magic point guard Anthony Johnson, will back up starter Jameer Nelson.
The 33-year-old former Florida Gators standout, known for his flashy passing, was Miami's starting point guard when the Heat won the NBA title. The Los Angeles Clippers signed him to a contract last year, but Williams retired to tend to family issues.
"With a year off he's gonna have to really put in some work to get back into optimal shape," Magic Coach Stan Van Gundy said. "He's not in bad shape, he's a guy who has the type of body that gets in shape quickly. He's got five weeks, closer to six until the start of camp. He'll get to work starting next week."
He will be eligible to play on the anniversary of his retirement -- Sept. 26.
posted by WeRDevos @ 7:28 PM
5 Comments:
At 2:21 AM,
Mike from Illinois said…
I would have preferred the Magic sign a PG like C.J. Watson of the Warriors, but the Magic didn't have enough money left for a realistic chance at him, so I'm satisfied that they were able to sign Jason Williams as the third PG. He's a veteran who knows how to pass, has a decent long-range shot, and started for a championship team.
Hopefully he can get into adequate shape before training camp starts, and won't miss a beat after taking last season off.
At 4:55 PM,
Matt said…
Good move. He has a lot longer of a time to get in shape since he would be considered a third string PG, and as such would be hardly used. depending on his commitment, if it is there, he could be a pleasant surprise, or else not much is lost. I would be interested to know what his contract value was, if it is announced.
At 9:32 PM,
Mike from Illinois said…
According to HoopsHype.com, Williams' salary for this coming season is $1, 306,455.
The Magic now have 12 players under contract with a total salary of $79,225,671 for this season, which is 5th highest in the NBA (LA Lakers, Utah, Boston, Cleveland).
At 9:57 PM,
Big Figure said…
Good signing. I thought we should have signed him last year just like WeR. Love what he brings to the game,pushing the ball and being able to hit the three is exactly what we like/need. The passing ability should also be a new weapon off of our bench,i actually think he may take over the back-up role if AJ struggles any. Its also a great role for him at his age,championship team without alot of resposibility placed on him,plus he'll collect a million bucks. Not bad at all for a guy who couldve stayed retired.
At 5:09 AM,
Mike from Illinois said…
Right, Big Figure; I believe Williams will challenge Johnson for the backup PG also.
Should make it an interesting training camp, watching the two of them battle it out on the court.
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