The Los Angeles Lakers have made a number of moves this offseason responding to the loss of Dwight Howard to the Rockets and after adding names like Chris Kaman and Nick Young, the team has officially signed Shawne Williams.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, Williams signed a one-year deal on the minimum for $1.1 million and the contract is partially guarantee per sources. ESPN.com reports that Williams last played in the 2011-12 season with the Nets, averaging 4.5 points and 2.7 rebounds and that season he played in 25 games and now he is back in the NBA after previously getting an invite to training camp.
The Lakers feel that Williams can add depth as well as solid three point shooting from the outside, as he averaged over 40 percent from three while playing for now new coach Mike D'Antoni and the Knicks in 2010-11. He was very good that year for the Knicks, putting up career best numbers of 7.1 points and 3.7 rebounds and now he is another scoring option for the Lakers. The team has Jordan Farmar, Elias Harris and Wes Johnson and now Williams is added to the mix as well after he has averaged 5.7 points and 2.8 rebounds in 16.4 minutes in 215 career games, starting just 23 times. Williams vibes with coach D'Antoni and that could be a welcome move after dealing with Howard last season.
The Lakers have 12 contracts that are guaranteed for this season and Williams can be a versatile option they can use to shoot threes and to help get open shots. The team also could be interested in names like Stephen Jackson, Dahntay Jones or AJ Price, who are all still free agents. Jackson was last with the Spurs and while he is getting older, he could give solid veteran's minutes, while Price started 22 games last season and Jones also could be solid despite being 33.
