Golden States Warriors guard Reggie Williams inks an agreement with a Spanish Club – NBA News
Golden States Warriors guard Reggie Williams is another player who has added his name in the list of NBA players going overseas during the NBA Lockout.
The days are passing by but there are still no hopes about the National Basketball Association’s lockout to end any time soon. Ever since it was enforced on July 1st 2011, all the basketball related activities in NBA
have died down. All the news we hear is about the players either showing their willingness to play overseas or the deals that they sign beyond borders to play during lockout.
Williams is the first Warriors player to sign a deal with an international league. The free agent confirmed the reports via his Twitter account that he has inked a deal with a Spanish club Caja Laboral Vitoria.
“While Reggie’s dream of playing in the NBA is our primary focus, we think playing in the ACB will put him in a situation to be a sought-after free agent upon his return from Spain,” said Ron Shade, the man who represents Williams
with his agent Herb Rudoy.
In the last season, the second-year forward racked up an average of 9.2 points in nearly 20 minutes per game.
Even though the player made $760,000 last season, his performance had a bit of inconsistency. He recorded nine consecutive double doubles, but there was a stretch where his score did not touch the double figures for nine games.
However, the Warriors reposed trust in him and gave him a qualifying offer, which assured them the option of matching free agent offer of any NBA team.
He has signed a one year deal of $1.5 million which includes a $1 million buyout if Williams wants to come back for the NBA season. Under the expired NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement, the team could put up $500,000 to buyout
a contract signed by a player overseas.
Previously he had rejected the idea of playing overseas as he had played his rookie season in Dijon Bourgogne, a basketball club based in France before he joined the NBA Development League. Currently because of the NBA lockout,
the 24 years old preferred the guaranteed money overseas.
The Warriors were expected to make a multiyear extension in his contract, but if the Lockout issue gets settled early and Williams decides not to buy-out his contract with the Spanish side, the Warriors may have to do without their
best outside shooter in the upcoming season, if and when it happens.
Klay Thompson was No.11 overall pick in the draft and he will be there to fill the void left by Williams’ departure from the team, but whether he will be able to pick up the slack is a anyone’s guess.
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