Dallas Mavericks sign point guard Deron Williams

July 15, 2015

The Dallas Mavericks made a move to boost their guard corps, announcing that they have signed free agent point guard Deron Williams.  Other outlets have reported that the signing is a two-year deal worth $10 million, with a player option for the second year.

Williams was once considered one of the elite point guards of the league, but injuries and age have slowed his effectiveness in recent years, particularly during the past few seasons with the Brooklyn Nets.

Still, Williams (6-3, 200) is a 10-year NBA veteran with career averages of 17.0 points, 8.5 assists, 3.2 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 35.1 minutes in 716 games (664 starts) for two teams (Utah and New Jersey/Brooklyn).  Overall, he has shot .447 (4,290-9,589 FGs) from the field, .358 (996-2,780 3FGs) from three-point range and .819 (2,609-3,187 FTs) from the free throw line.

If he can remain healthy, he is still capable of running an offense and putting up the occasional big scoring night.  Considering his price tag, he is somewhat of a bargain and should upgrade the team's point guard play.

Whether he can elevate the Mavs into a playoff team in the highly-competitive West is an entirely different matter.

Williams was a member of three All-Star Teams (2010, 2011 and 2012), made the All-NBA Second Team in 2008 and 2010 and won gold medals as part of Team USA at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing and the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.   He also was a member of the All-Rookie First Team in 2006 and became only the third player in NBA history to have 1500+ points and 800+ assists while shooting .500+ from the field in a single season in 2007-08 (also Magic Johnson-1986-87 and 1988-89 and Kevin Johnson-1988-89).

He spent last season with the Nets and averaged 13.0 points, 6.6 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 31.1 minutes in 68 games (55 starts).
                                                                                                                                                   
A familiar face to Dallas/Fort Worth, Williams played high school basketball for The Colony before attending the University of Illinois.  He was selected by the Utah Jazz in the first round (3rd overall) of the 2005 NBA Draft. On February 23, 2011, he was traded to New Jersey in exchange for Devin Harris, Derrick Favors, two first round draft picks (Nets 2011, Golden State 2012) and cash considerations.  He re-signed with Brooklyn on July 11, 2012.

By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services

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