Jason Williams Trying to Rejoin Kings

It's been 10 years since Jason Williams was the #7 pick for the Sacramento Kings, when he was one of the most exciting players at the time. After winning a championship with the Miami Heat 2 years ago and dropping to the worst record with that same franchise, J-Will's looking to come around full circle. To the team that he played for first.

Williams turns 33 years old this November and had 10 years under his belt. In 679 games played, he's started in all but 30 of them, but he's certain to come off the bench for starting point guard Beno Udrih, who they just locked up with a 5 year full mid-level exception. Even though the Kings locked up a point guard for the long term and drafted rookie Sean Singletary, whose defensive intensity has been impressive in the summer league, Williams' agent, Dan Tobin, has been working to reunite Williams' with his former team even before Udrih agreed to return with the Kings within a day of negotiations.

Williams was traded to the Vancouver Grizzlies for Mike Bibby in 2001 after having his worst season in 3 years before ending up as the starting point guard for a championship team in Miami. Even though Kings GM Geoff Petrie has said that he's likely to be done free agent shopping with a full roster, Tobin commented in the Sacramento Bee, "We're looking for a specific type of situation where Jason can help elevate a team to that next step. That's what he's been really good at."

Williams' wasn't even their second option if Udrih didn't re-sign. The Kings contacted Chris Duhon as a back-up plan. They also have a full roster of 15 players and are right at the threshold of the luxary tax. If they do get him, all they can afford is the bi-annual exception after he made $9 million last year, but it would fill in their need of a vetran point guard. It'd also wouldn't interfere with the 2010 free agency class. Even though he averaged career lows near 9 PPG, 2 RPG and 5 APG, they can use desperate help in the assist category because they're second to last in the league

Getting Williams would also be an upgrade from Anthony Johnson, who recently signed with the Orlando Magic. The Kings can also have a spot open in the near future if they cut 2nd round pick Patrick Ewing Jr., who has scored only 2 points in 4 summer league games. J-Will's still got handles, dishes out alley-oops, would be a solid veteran back-up and could help Sean Singletary adjust to the NBA game. If Udrih got hurt, Singleary wouldn't be ready, but Williams' will. It'd also be a great way to end his career in the city that first embraced him, like former Kings' draft pick Corliss Williamson did with the Kings a year ago after he won a championship with the Detroit Pistons and traded to the Kings from the Philadelphia 76ers'.

Seeing #55 back in Sactown would be cool, and if he can help the Kings with their long term plans for a short term, it'd be even better.