Point Guard Jason Williams Returns to the NBA

Sports Betting News - August 20th, 2009 - Written by Ryan Smith

Point guard Jason Williams, was last seen wearing a Miami Heat basketball jersey, as the Heat won their franchise first ever World Championship title. The Heat dismantled the 2006 title team that off season, and Jason Williams signed a contract with the Los Angeles Clippers in 2008, but canceled the contract before ever playing a game on the west coast. Williams and his wife experienced complications while his wife was pregnant with their third child, and Williams was forced to leave the team. Williams asked to be reinstated, this process requires approval from all 30 teams in the league to avoid a one-year waiting period, Williams only received 6 out of 30 votes.

The Clippers originally contained exclusive negotiating rights over Jason Williams until July 24, but ultimately elected to pass on the opportunity. The New York Knicks than gained the rights to sign Jason Williams by claiming him off waivers, However they waited to long to pull the trigger and Williams became a unrestricted free agent. Two teams showed recent interest in signing the veteran point guard, the Memphis Grizzles and the Orlando Magic.

Jason Williams decided to sign with the Orlando Magic, and play closer to home electing to not move his family to Memphis. The terms of the contract have not yet been released, but it is believed to be a one year contract at the league veteran minimum of $ 1.3 million. Jason Williams will add more depth to the already deep Orlando bench, and if starting point guard Jameer Nelson happens to get hurt, a viable point guard is ready to replace him. ESPN Reports Orlando Magic general manager Otis Smith had these comments after acquiring Jason Williams "Jason provides depth and leadership to our backcourt. He is a veteran point guard that knows what it takes to help us reach our ultimate goal."

Orlando made it all the way to the NBA Championship finals against the Lakers, but still decided to revamp their team this off season. Two of the three starters form the championship team, Hedo Turkoglu, and Rafer Alston both left the team this summer. Hedo to the Toronto raptors through free agency, and Rafer Alston to the New Jersey Nets via trade. That same trade sent Courtney Lee to the Nets for shooting guard Vince Carter, and second year power forward Ryan Anderson. The Magic did not stop there, they also signed small forward Matt Barnes to replace Turkoglu in the starting line up, and Signed free-agent power forward Brandon Bass to add depth on the bench. The magic made lots of moves this off season, but it's yet to be determined if all the moves were for better or worse.

To discuss this and other Sports Betting stories like it, be sure to check out our new forum at:
https://www.usaplayers.com/forums/mlb-general-chat/759-pudge-back-rangers.html#post1242