What up with Justin Williams?

[Ballings7]

It's not the end of the world, but he's a different kind of big man than Shelden. Justin's more athletic and mobile.

Shelden's more of a center, and Justin's more of a power foward. With their overall size. Both can play the other position, but primarily are what specified.

It just wouldn't make much sense to me why Justin couldn't still be on the team. I'd prefer to see him come back.

If not? Well, that's unfortunate, and I don't quite agree with it.

[RoyalCourtJestr]

He worked hard and showed large flashes of potential. My fanboyness aside, I'd rather negotiate a buyout of Thomas, or cut Johnson instead.

If they cut Justin, I'll be happy in a way. It means he'll actually be given a serious chance somewhere.

[Ballings7]

If they cut Justin, I'll be happy in a way. It means he'll actually be given a serious chance somewhere.

No it doesn't, he could definitely still be a third stringer. Even though he should get a regular chance as a back-up, if that's available somewhere.

He worked hard and showed large flashes of potential. My fanboyness aside, I'd rather negotiate a buyout of Thomas, or cut Johnson instead.

Or Lo Wright. Who I like as a tough, solid defender, and a good veteran guy - but would take Justin over him anytime.

[Luv those Knicks]

For some reason, Knick fans have ALWAYS loved him.

Cause he's a good shot blocker and a number of Knick fans followed him out of college. Not all knick fans like him or follow him, but a number of knickfans have wanted Justin since he was cut from your team early last year, and there's some talk of wanting him now that it says he's being cut (and cutting big snacks) - but we're always talking about cutting big snacks.

[Smills91]

Justin Williams > Shelden Williams.

[SacKingZZZ]

I wouldn't say that at all. I have to admit, I have been a little disappointed with Justin's development this year. Shelden has the tools to be a much better player but Justin does have those intangibles for sure. Shelden can be a legit starter type IMO. Justin, only in a certain situation. I am liking the idea of a Shelden/Hawes frontline. Shelden can easily handle the C position as well. So if we get a nice PF in the draft this year he can play PF/C off the bench or start at C too.

[pillwenney]

I'd really like to keep both Justin and Shelden because they do similar things but in very different ways. I will say though, that I think Shelden has the tools to be an elite post defender in this league. I don't Justin would have ever been strong enough for that to be true.

[Ballings7]

Shelden has the tools to be a much better player but Justin does have those intangibles for sure. Shelden can be a legit starter type IMO. Justin, only in a certain situation. I am liking the idea of a Shelden/Hawes frontline. Shelden can easily handle the C position as well. So if we get a nice PF in the draft this year he can play PF/C off the bench or start at C too.

Agreed. I don't think Shelden will be the long-term PF or C, but I think is going to be a significant factor for this team in the future. I think he, along with another young big man that complements Hawes, will make for a quality young PF/C situation.

Somebody in the starting line-up next to Hawes will have to be able to rebound and defend pretty well, anyway.

[KingInExile]

Sam Amick answered some questions regarding Justin being cut as part of the trade; clarified the reason and looked at his future in Sacramento. Some of you (most of you) won't like the answers, but the reality of the situation is undeniable. Bottom line, Justin is gone.

Question: Why did the Kings cut Justin Williams and Dahntay Jones?

Answer: With the league's roster limit of 15 players and the pre-trade roster at 14 players, they had to cut two guys to get from 17 to 15. It's as simple as that, and the fact that they were the cheapest options to pay off ($1,489,279 combined) who simply didn't play that often after the roster returned to near-health.

Question: Why would they let a young talent like Justin Williams go?

Answer: First of all, he wasn't a draft pick and just never seemed to earn the confidence of the coaching staff or the organization at large. As he showed in the Wednesday loss at Houston, he could always hit the boards (he had 12 in 23 minutes). Last season, Williams' rebound-per-48-minute mark was an impressive 16.5. This year, it was 19.5.
The other note of interest here is that I was told Williams was originally part of the Atlanta deal. The Kings would have received Salim Stoudamire (expiring contract for $783,000) in return and Williams would've been in a better setting, except for one hitch. Because he had signed a one-year deal for the minimum, he had the same right to block a trade that Devean George has. And because of the way that stipulation blocked the Dallas-New Jersey deal for Jason Kidd, there was fear of a repeat occurence in this trade. Eventually, Williams and Stoudamire were removed from the table because of it.

Question: Is there any chance Williams or Jones are re-signed this season?

Answer: It's not likely. It would be unwise to cut the new Kings just to make room for Williams and Jones to come back because of their contracts. The expiring deals of new Kings Tyronn Lue, Anthony Johnson and Lorenzen Wright are worth a combined $9.6 million, and those pieces could certainly be used in a deal before the Feb. 21 trade deadline once they pass their physicals (expected by Tuesday). On credentials alone, the veterans have it all over Williams and Jones as well.

http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/sports/kings/

[sacstar16]

Wow that is very sad to hear about Justin. I really liked this kid.


However, he never really got a chance to shine and it was obvious he wasn't going to get consistent playing time any time soon with us.

I wish him luck and I hope he shines wherever he goes.

Still really sad to see him go.

[Ballings7]

Oh well. Back to how it was before then. I still wouldn't say it's impossible, though.

[Ballings7]

However, he never really got a chance to shine and it was obvious he wasn't going to get consistent playing time any time soon with us.

Same goes for many other teams, though.

If not some team with an available back-up PF/C spot for Justin, the D-League is the best spot for Justin to get a good oppurtunity to play and develop.

[pillwenney]

I still think that's crap. The bottom line is that the team improved nearly every time Justin was in the game.

[RoyalCourtJestr]

Yeah, seriously. I know it's about money, and no, I don't think he is Ben Wallace or ever would be, but the kid played harder then any of the PFs we've had playing. Why he wasn't given more minutes is beyond me.

[KF10]

Does this move sounds similar to the Keon Clark situation? I know we received a 2nd rounder and cash considerations IIRC. But yeah, why did we let Williams go? I hate this move...

[shrink]

Sam Amick answered some questions regarding Justin being cut as part of the trade; clarified the reason and looked at his future in Sacramento. Some of you (most of you) won't like the answers, but the reality of the situation is undeniable. Bottom line, Justin is gone.

I'm not sure Sam has it right.

I heard an intricate story that no one ever confirmed that when the 2005 Collective Bargaining Agreement did away with the injured list, it inadvertantly made it more difficult for team to make unbalanced trades because of roster limit restrictions.

The story goes that in the past, if a team wanted to do a trade that put them over the roster limit, they would simply put one of their players on the IL with a phantom injury to create a roster spot. The trade would be performed, and the team would never exceed its roster limit. Once they waived the incoming player, the player they stuck on the IL would have a miraculous recovery, and fill the roster spot of the waived player.

With IL gone, teams may have to create the roster space from their own players, so the Kings weren't choosing to cut two players from 17, but two players from their original 14. To me, this would better explain why Justin Williams was cut over Lo Wright. I would think that if the Kings are going to rebuild, if they were allowed to keep Williams over Wright, they would have done so.

I have yet to find anything definitive for this story though. Just because SAC chose to pick two guys to waive from its own 14, doesn't prove they weren't allowed to pick from the full 17. However, it does seem to provide evidence to support it. Hopefully, the picture will become a little clearer today, when we see whether NJN retains Keith Van Horn and waives two of its own players.

[Smills91]

That's exactly right Shrink...Petrie looks to move Lue to the Suns/C's for a TPE/2nd and this will create a roster spot to re-sign J-Will.