It is pretty well known at this point that the Cleveland Cavaliers are looking to upgrade their perimeter scoring. There have been rumors that they are trying to acquire Joe Johnson from the Brooklyn Nets, but they made a more minor move to add scoring punch from the perimeter by signing Mo Williams. Williams tweeted out the announcement on Monday night.
I'm coming home!!!!! #cavsnation #cityilove #questforaring
— Mo Williams (@mowilliams) July 7, 2015
The deal is reportedly for two years and a total $4.3 million with a player option for year two of the deal according to ESPN.com. Last season Williams averaged 14.2 points and 6.2 assists per game while playing with both the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Charlotte Hornets.
Williams also garnered interest from the Memphis Grizzlies and the Dallas Mavericks too, before ultimately deciding to return to Cleveland where he played two and half seasons, one of which he was an All-Star.
The Cavaliers had a clear need at backup point guard as evidenced by the lack of production from the position in the NBA Finals after Kyrie Irving went down with a knee injury. Matthew Dellavedova, who is a restricted free agent and likely to be back next season, was the Cavs' backup last season, and although he has become somewhat of a folk hero in Cleveland, he is more of a fringe NBA player who can provide hustle and toughness. Williams will help provide scoring punch off the bench for the Cavs when Irving needs a rest.
Williams' shooting percentages last season were not very good, but they also may be a bit misleading. Williams is more of a role player that shouldn't be asked to do much of the scoring, but in both Minnesota and Charlotte he was asked to do exactly that, resulting in a 40 percent clip from the field and 34 percent from beyond the arc. Williams is a career 43 percent shooter from the field and 38 percent shooter from three and should put up numbers similar to that now that he is back in a better situation.
Williams will turn 33 this season, and although his best years are likely behind him, he could still play a big role for a team with title aspirations like the Cavaliers. The Cavaliers likely aren't done this offseason either, as they are still trying to move Brendan Haywood's non-guaranteed contract for Johnson or somebody else.
