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
Comments (51)
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- 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
- 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
- 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
- Whole team should leave. Give Thorn a huge bonus to boot.— pedge
- who cares.— Tyrone Biggums
- Best News i heard all day, at least now that ball will be spread around a little more— The Green Mamba
- Best News i heard all day, at least now that ball will be spread around a little more— The Green Mamba
- Best News i heard all day, at least now that ball will be spread around a little more— The Green Mamba
- Best News i heard all day, at least now that ball will be spread around a little more— The Green Mamba
- Great 6th man if he would realize that that garbage drifting floater is just that garbage he would be even better. This team needs a rebuild with a couple of the pieces staying. I would say ET and Holiday.— eaglessuperfan
- No Lou. No Faried. No clue. Whatever happens, your toes are still tapping.— FreeCable4Ever
- mjc:This was inevitable, and it's no surprise...It's something both Chuckw and I have commented on all season...Just earlier today I actually commented on why the local media had NEVER addressed this issue. Strange time of the season for this snippet as the team is building some character, and knocking down some shots...despite getting ZERO from Hawes and Vucevic...It's all good, Lou may get a chance to be a starter..good for him....Wonder if Thorn was awake when the reporters reached him about this?— bearsfriend
- Collins is in a quandry. His offense is designed to move the ball and get players shots. His best scorers though, Turner and Williams can't score without the ball in their hands. Its nice to have a guy like these two to manufacture points when the offense isn't running well or isn't working. On the other hand they are big reasons why the offense doesn't work at times. Catch 22.— BLUEBELLION
- When the Sixers' halfcourt offense stalls, it's because there are limtied amount of effective screens getting set...Then you're stuck with 4 guys on the perimeter chucking up forced shots at the end of a shot clock...A great way to score in the 70's. — bearsfriend
- And bearsfriend comes out fighting! Don't take this sitting down, start a petition, maybe hold a fundraiser, anything to get Lou to stay.— mjc1
- You guys that think Lou will not missed haven't a clue about this team! I know one thing you would have lost....Tonight's game ! (see OT stats) Get a clue!— UVharvey
- He will make good money though. He can shoot but that is all.— grimm39
- Good for him, he know's this team is headed no where, I'll always pull for a guy like him....— IvanDejesus
- C-ya, dont't let the door hit you on the way out— snwbrdrjeff
- No big loss .. GUNNER with no court sense! He is a legend in his own mind.. strickly a one one one player!— bill poore
- This man has no unit. — bearsfriend
- Hey take dougie with you lou!— male
- Thank you bye top gun!— male
- If I was sitting on the bench and not starting (behind Jodie Meeks), I would leave too. Imagine what it must feel like to be a Sixer guard and watching Jodie Meeks get the starting 2 guard spot.— dave13
- First of all what they play in the NBA is mnot basketball, it's African Jump ball.— Keeping it real 4u
Lou, don't let the door hit you in the a*s.
— FreeCable4Ever- Who are the Sixers going to use to miss the last shot if Lou books?— 42Homestead
- 3 WORDS...PLAYER...EFFICIENCY...RATING.......Know it,learn it,live it. — bearsfriend
- Team has been the same for 3 years. Nothing but a .500 record to show for it. Time to find some different players.— zeke128
- The problem is at the center position...This group would actually be REALLY good with a Tyson Chandler at center. — bearsfriend
- bearsfriend must be grieving! Still, no big loss. Best of luck in your future endeavors, Mr. Williams..— ESFjellin
- who will take carjackers to mcdonalds if lou leaves?— zwarte piet
- Less work for the towel boy.— Relocator
- Come back home to Atlanta. You are LOVED here.— dudega
- I don't think we'll miss him if Turner can get his minutes and a vote of confidence from Doug. But we still need a 16-18 ppg post player. Shoot, I'd settle for 14 ppg and 8 rebounds from a solid post player.— nceagle
- No Lou, no Faried...No hitting on the Phillies...Big draft for the Eagles. — bearsfriend
- Where's bearsfriend? Dry your tears, sir, it will be ok.— mjc1
- I'm sorry I'm late to this chat...had to watch Lou carry the Sixers with 7 OT pts off of 2 shots...Hmmm,4 blocks and 2 huge steals. Get me Maalik Wayns, or something quick, cause, the Sixers will miss Lou's first step... — bearsfriend
- Maybe he wants to take a year off and learn to play defense?— Wilhelm Von Humboldt
- Stick to making tasteless jokes on Philly's crime problem,Willy....you're lost on the sports scene. — bearsfriend
- Lou is what he is, a gunner. He is terrible in the set offense, especially for a player in his 7th year. Bye, Lou.— fillyfan
- He's a top notch high post pick and roll player...That's in a set offense, is it not?...Your moniker is giving Philly a bad name. — bearsfriend
- Get rid of Turner, Brand, and Iggy while you're at it.— brio
- Oh no! Not Lou Williams, what would the Sixers ever do?— LGbalsac
- I certainly hope Lou lands with a Professional Basketball team next year instead of the dregs we have here in Philly. It'd be nice to see the same for Thaddeus Young & Iggie as well. All these guys deserve much better.— MrFabulous47
- he probably meant bench player...
or maybe under 15 points per game
or the only player who plays behind a guy who spreads the court and scores 5 points a game— retzlaff - No loss................makes the re-tool decisions easier.— Northcountry
- No loss?...leading points, points per minute,PER,assist to turnover ratio, on court leader, and their biggest money scorer, and easily the best at drawing fouls...Never given the chance to get starter's minutes, we'll see if there's interest in him..Other than that, your post is adequate...NOT — bearsfriend
- "If this holds, Williams will become the only player to lead his team in scoring since Dell Curry did it for the Charlotte Hornets in the 1993-94 season." - What the heck does that mean? Every team has a player who leads his team in scoring???— fischman
- "without making a single start." Maybe you should read the whole article. BOOM!!!!! — grimm39
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About this blog
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.
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