Derrick Williams Reportedly Renounced by Knicks: Latest Details and Reaction
The New York Knicks reportedly renounced their rights to free-agent forward Derrick Williams on Friday, all but assuring his exit from the team after one season.
Ian Begley of ESPN.com reported the news. Williams was one of four players (Kevin Seraphin, Lou Amundson and Cleanthony Early) the Knicks renounced so they could fit free-agent signings Joakim Noah, Courtney Lee, Brandon Jennings and Mindaugas Kuzminskas under the salary cap.
New York also announced the additions of Willy Hernangomez and Marshall Plumlee on Friday.
The Knicks could bring back any of these players under a veteran's minimum contract. However, Williams, who played well in a reserve role last season, will almost certainly command more on the open market. (Williams declined a $4.6 million player option for next season.)
The former No. 2 overall pick averaged 9.3 points and 3.7 rebounds in 2015-16, shooting 45.0 percent while bringing energy off the bench. He's never going to become the star many hoped when the Minnesota Timberwolves selected him a pick after Kyrie Irving five years ago, but he's a useful rotation cog for 20 minutes a night.
Those guys are getting paid this summer. We're living in a market where Jeff Green gets $15 million over one season and Anthony Tolliver is making $8 million a year. Even as the market slows down—minimum contracts are even being agreed to at this point—25-year-old Williams stands out as one of the few viable young role players left.
That means he'll likely be headed to his fourth NBA team in six seasons. Williams began with the Timberwolves, before being traded to the Sacramento Kings and landing in New York last summer as a free agent. He spoke of the frustration of constant turnover in March with Marc Berman of the New York Post.
“Seventh coach in five years,” Williams said. “Three coaches last year in Sacramento. So that’s five in two years. It’s tough, man. At the same time, it’s a business. You got to know that heading into the season.’’
Williams could find a home with a team like the Los Angeles Lakers or Brooklyn Nets, who each have space and a need for a rotation big man. Regardless, his dreams of cashing in on a long-term contract that averages more than the $4.6 million he declined are dwindling by the day.
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