Mo Williams and Los Angeles Clippers trying to find a middle ground – NBA News
Mo Williams and the Los Angeles Clippers have found themselves in a bit of a fix.
Williams had said earlier that he does not wish to opt out of his $8.5 million final year option with the Clippers and would return for next season. The Clippers had one of the most successful seasons in their history after the signing of All Star point guard Chris Paul. They finished in 5th place in the Western Conference and had an amazing 1st round playoff matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies, a series which the Clippers won in 7 games. They lost to the San Antonio Spurs in straight games but being able to reach till the 2nd round was a big success for the Clippers. They now have a solid team around Chris Paul that they can build on.
Williams did not want to leave the Clippers as he has enjoyed much success with them this year and feels that a good team is in the making.
The dilemma facing Williams is that he is an All Star point guard and ever since the arrival of Chris Paul, the players has been shifted to the bench and that too at the shooting guard position. The trend continued even after the season ending injury of Chauncey Billups as Vinny Del Negro was more intent on giving Randy Foye a starting role. That has apparently not gone down well with Williams.
His agent Mark Bartelstein recently told ESPNLosAngeles.com that both parties are trying to find a solution to the problem they are facing.
“Mo's a professional and I think he showed that last season. He had a great year under difficult circumstances. That said, he's a starting point guard. He's an All-Star starting point guard. So we'll look at everything and see what makes sense,” said Bartelstein.
The Clippers have around $59 million in salaries tied up for next season if Williams stays with them, which is just above the salary cap.
If Williams opts out, the Clippers will be below the salary cap and can make some moves to either fill the void left by him or strengthen the team in some other way.
The management is working on all options, but task has become even more difficult ever since former General Manager Neil Olshey left the Clippers to take up the General Manager position with the Portland Trail Blazers. Olshey brought around a great deal of success to the Clippers franchise, and played a critical role in signing Chris Paul.
In his absence and with the new General Manager yet to be decided, the Clippers are headed into the NBA draft on June 28th and then free agency beginning Jul 1st. Williams needs to make his decision before June 30th otherwise he will become a free agent on July 1st.
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