Denton: Jason Williams Returns to the Orlando Magic for a Second Season
by Evan Dunlap on Aug 3, 2010 11:42 AM EDT
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The Orlando Magic will re-sign Jason Williams to fill their third point guard role, reports John Denton of the team's official website:
ORLANDO – The Orlando Magic have their third point guard – and it is a very familiar face.
Veteran guard Jason Williams and the Magic reached an agreement on a deal that will return him to Orlando for a second season, according to NBA sources close to the negotiations.
Williams, who turns 35 in mid-November, averaged 6 points and 3.6 assists in Magic pinstripes last season. He shot 44.4% from the field and 38.0% from three-point range, which are career-best percentages.
As I documented in this space last week, Williams played well for much of last season when his (infrequent) jumper attempts found the range, but he became markedly less effective late in the year and into the postseason when his accuracy waned. But now, with Chris Duhon seeing a majority of the backup minutes, Williams figures to play only spot duty as the team's third-stringer. He's overqualified for that job, provided his stroke returns, and even then he'll hardly play enough minutes to ever really hurt the team.
It's a solid signing that may signal the end of Orlando's summer tweaks; President of Basketball Operations Otis Smith prefers to carry only thirteen players on his roster, which is the league minimum. Second-round draft choice Stanley Robinson, whom the Magic have not offered a contract, faces an uphill battle in training camp. Smith said he'd "like" Robinson to "force me to carry 14 guys."
UPDATE: Tim Povtak reports the deal is for one year and is worth the minimum salary of $1.35 million.
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I cannot think of a more ideal 3rd point guard (assuming Jason Williams is cool with playing only about 30 games)
He is fully capable of coming in to either start or play backup during the inevitable Jameer Nelson injury. I like this re-signing.
Even though the Hippopotamus lacks a stinger for a tail, a truly wise man would rather be sat on by a bee. ~ Banacek
Awesome news... welcome back J-Will
I am so pleased J-Will is back for a second season. Probably the best 3rd point guard in the league. I think we have definately upgraded on last season. I hope VC steps up his game and if Dwight has worked on some new moves with Hakeem we will be back in the ECF’s.
Blue and White Ignite..... BOOM!
Really excited about this. Great move.
Fan of Magic (99-00), Gators (06-07), & Rays (08-09)
Troy Hudson & Keith Bogans' Biggest Fan
Hard to get excited or upset about a guy who's rarely going to se the floor
but it is what it is. Just glad Miami didn’t get somebody they allegedly wanted.
One Freaken Second
Glad his back
knows the system, players, and a solid backup. Can also be a good asset at the trade deadline. It seems teams are always looking for PGs.
But I think I saw before that a 10 yr vet gets 2 mil as the minimum. I’m guessing that should be the team around 93-95. The owners rock!
"A man has got to have a code." -Bunk, Season 1; Omar, Season 4.
Thank you sir!
1.35 is not bad at all.
"A man has got to have a code." -Bunk, Season 1; Omar, Season 4.
It'll only cost the Magic $854k too
Thanks to the NBA chipping in the rest for veterans on short term deals.
by eltharion_doa on Aug 3, 2010 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions
you said it Magico
OWNERS ROCK!!! We should spend the whole offseason just repeating owners rock. I think the owners being sickk makes Otis look so much better than he actually is.
It is so understated how much credit the owners deserve for putting a winning product on the floow
These guys are pulling so much money out of their a$$es for Magic to win its incredible they deserve so much credit and a title dwight better get them one Right Now.
What I was thinking
He was solid. I’m gonna miss hiss old man strength.
by BlueSkyOneCloud on Aug 3, 2010 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm shocked Dwade didn't convince him to take his talents down to south beach
Sorry to see Dad go. Who’s gonna lead that pre-game warm up routine they do now?
Never trust a fart
by AB's triple double on Aug 3, 2010 2:36 PM EDT reply actions
Nice move, Otis.
Signing Williams for the minimum is great.
by gift of the magi on Aug 3, 2010 5:07 PM EDT reply actions
I doubt that Jameer will play all 82 games
…so there will be at least a few games where Williams is the backup PG behind Chris Duhon, who would start if Jameer has to sit because of injury.
I think J-Will can do an adequate job in limited minutes. We saw how much his game deteriorated the last couple months of last season due to the amount of minutes he played in the first half of the season. That won’t be a problem this time around.
Orlando Magic... 2010 Eastern Conference Finalist
Chicago Blackhawks... 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Champions!!
by Mike from Illinois on Aug 3, 2010 6:16 PM EDT reply actions
Of the shoices left, this was the best available 3rd string PG.
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors." - Weldon Drew
I'll tell ya about the Magic It'll free your soul but it's like trying to tell a stranger 'bout rock n roll
"This dude is huge....I've got to go home and eat like five chickens and put a lot of weight on. It's going to take a couple months, but seriously." - Marcin Gortat about Shaq.
by NC Magic Fan on Aug 3, 2010 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions
As much as I love Dad, it's cool having the no look bounce pass back.
On with the magic show. Swishh gonna be glad too.
Don't mind my spelling. I'm a Typo Master.
I dont think stan toned him down
i, a resident of the greater sacramento area, sawhim in his you with all the dazzle but in truth it was hubie brown that moderated him. Much to my dislike. While he was flashy he had his share of turn overs but he could get any crowd and player into it.
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