League source: Williams to opt out of contract, test free agency
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League source: Williams to opt out of contract, test free agency
John Mitchell, Inquirer Staff Writer
Philadelphia 76ers guard Lou Williams will opt out of the final year of his contract at the end of this season and become an unrestricted free agent, according to a league source with knowledge of the situation.
If he were not to opt out, Williams would be due $6.4 million from the Sixers.
Said the source: “He’s indicated that he’s not going to pick up his option. All indications are that he’s going to opt out.”
Reached at courtside via telephone before the 76ers, fighting for the final spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs, game at Indiana on Saturday, 76ers general manager Rod Thorn said that he had not spoken with his leading scorer about his contract but acknowledged that Williams can opt out his contract and become an unrestricted free agent.
“He has not said what he will do, but we will react to that when the time comes,” Thorn said.
Said the source: “He’s indicated that he’s not going to pick up his option. All indications are that he’s going to opt out.”
Williams leads the 76ers in scoring this season, averaging 14.9 points a game in just over 26.2 minutes per game. Williams has not started a game this year. If this holds, Williams will become the only player to lead his team in scoring without making a single start since Dell Curry did it for the Charlotte Hornets in the 1993-94 season.
Contact staff writer John N. Mitchell at jmitchell@philly.com. Follow him on Twitter @JmitchInquirer
who cares.— Tyrone Biggums- Whole team should leave. Give Thorn a huge bonus to boot.— pedge
- The majority of posters here don't strike me as serious fans of the NBA franchise here in Philadelphia, and by serious, I mean fans who watch or attend all the games. Many posters who disdain Williams, panted all season for a trade of Iguodala for Monta Ellis. Yet compare Ellis and Williams, keeping in mind that Williams comes in cold off the bench, while Ellis starts and averages 10 more minutes (36.5) than Williams (26.2) this season: Ellis: 7.7/18 43.5, Lou 5/12 40.7 from the field; Ellis 1.1/3.5 30.7, Lou 1.3/3.6 36.2 from the three; Ellis 3.7/4.7 79.3 , Lou 3.7/4.6 81.4 from the line, Ellis 3.4 boards, Lou 2.4 boards (in 10 fewer minutes), Ellis 6 assists, Lou 3.5 assists (in 10 fewer minutes), Ellis 3 TOs, Lou 1.1 TOs. Neither of them is a great defender, but Williams has improved his defense this season, Iguodala's big mouth notwithstanding. Collins relies, nay, depends on Williams to be a volume shooter and scorer off the bench, which he does well, and he is the ONLY Sixer to look consistently for contact to get to the foul line. What posters also overlook: the Sixers almost certainly will try to re-sign him to a long-term contract, and if they fail to do so, he will be a starter elsewhere. Unfortunately for him, thanks to Doug Collins, there is still a logjam in the backcourt here in Philly, as decisions still need to be made regarding the respective roles of Holiday, Turner, Williams, Sam Young (?) and Meeks (who I would argue could not make the roster of most NBA teams, let alone start). Be careful what you wish for.— chuckw
- I like his departure because the Sixers need to be 20-62 next season to make long-term progress. Get rid of anyone that contributes to winning. Bring back Eddie Jordan as coach. In 3 years, Sixers will have 3 studs from the draft and will then be ready to compete seriously.— rwolffd12
- Bears... your constant comments are tired. Get over yourself. I look at the posts to see the varied opinions, not to find the "bearsfriend blog". Go start your own website.— xing
- Chuckw, he may start on the Wizards or Bobcats, but he's not starting on most top tier teams. I don't even see him starting on 2nd tier teams like Indiana or Portland. That he's not starting here is because of fit. Maybe he can start in New York? I doubt it now with Lin's popularity. He may try his luck but he is a slower AI without the tenacity.— xing
John Mitchell is in his second year covering the 76ers for the Inquirer after joining the paper in November 2011. He covered the Washington Wizards for the Washington Times from 1998 to 2008. He's also worked at the Philadelphia Tribune, the Wilmington News Journal, Courier-Post, Trenton Times and Elmira Star-Gazette.Born and raised in West Philadelphia - not too far from Will Smith - he graduated from Overbrook High School the same year the 76ers won their last championship. He's a proud graduate of Howard University and the proud father of two sons, Jared and Jordan.
ABOUT MARC NARDUCCI
Marc Narducci has served in a variety of roles with the Inquirer since beginning in 1983. He has covered the 76ers as a backup and a beat writer. In addition, Narducci has covered everything from the Super Bowl to the World Series and a lot in between. Narducci also has a true passion for South Jersey scholastic sports, which he has covered for many years.
