Shawne

Williams

He should be a mid-to-late first-round pick.

He was expected to go to the Knicks much later in this draft and the Pacers passed on point guard Marcus Williams, which was also a surprise. Larry Bird could know something that we don’t, as he’s been hyping his dream player, who apparently was Shawne Williams. He won’t crack the rotation next year for the Pacers, so he won’t have fantasy value. There are questions about his basetball IQ as well.

Terms were not disclosed, but Williams, the 17th overall pick in the draft, will receive a two-year contract worth $2.36 million as per the rookie salary scale. The club holds options for third and fourth years. He’s expected to challenge Danny Granger for playing time as the team looks to replace Peja Stojakovic, who signed with the Hornets.

Considering they currently start DeShawn Stevenson at small forward, this is a big move for the Nets, who would have a starting five next year of Deron Williams, MarShon Brooks, Wallace, Kris Humphries and Brook Lopez. Of course, Wallace is at the tail end of his career, but should still have a few solid seasons left in his banged up body. The move would also allow Wesley Matthews to start at shooting guard in Portland, with Nicolas Batum sliding over to his natural small forward position.

The pick is rumored to be Top-3 protected, which means the Blazers will be rooting for the Nets to win a lot of games the rest of the way. And this means the starting lineup next season in New Jersey would be Deron Williams, MarShon Brooks, Wallace, Kris Humprhies and Brook Lopez, which doesn’t look too bad. This should also clear the way for Wesley Matthews to start at SG, and for Nicolas Batum to start at SF for the Blazers, if they still have both players at the end of the day.

Willliams won’t play again this year. The Blazers are working on a buyout.

Williams is out for the season after undergoing foot surgery, but Buchanan said the team will “help him with his rehab, get to know him a little bit, make a decision at that point.” A buyout remains a possibility.

Williams has a $3.1 million player option for next season, but will be coming off a lost season that was cut short due to foot surgery. “I don’t have no reason not to,” Williams said when asked why he’s considering opting-in, and we think that’s a perfectly apt description.

Williams had three screws inserted in the foot and is expected to be ready for training camp next year. He was a big disappointment as a free agent signing this season, averaging just 4.5 points.

Williams has been dealing with shoulder, knee and foot woes all season. He was playing 20.5 minutes per game, but wouldn’t have gotten that now that MarShon Brooks and DeShawn Stevenson are healthy.