MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Mo Williams is on his way to Minnesota, which means J.J. Barea could be on his way out.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Mo Williams is on his way to Minnesota, which means J.J. Barea could be on his way out.
The Timberwolves and Williams have agreed to a $3.75 million, one-year contract, the player’s agency, Priority Sports, announced on Monday. The agreement gives the Timberwolves an experienced and versatile combo guard to play behind Ricky Rubio.
Williams turns 32 in December and is coming off a season in Portland in which he averaged 9.7 points per game for his lowest output since his rookie year in 2003-04. But his ability to shoot — he is a career 38.5 percent shooter from 3-point range — and handle the ball made him an attractive target for the Timberwolves, who were looking for a quality veteran to play behind Rubio and alongside rookie Zach LaVine next season.
Williams, who was an All-Star in 2009 when he helped LeBron James and the Cavaliers reach the NBA Finals, declined his $2.7 million player option to become a free agent. He picked up a nice little raise to come to Minnesota and will get a chance to play some significant minutes on a Timberwolves team that could have a completely different look when next season begins.
Williams is also an 87 percent free-throw shooter for his career, and on a team short on ball-handlers he figures to get plenty of time in the fourth quarter during close games.