Breaking News: Cavs Sign Mo Williams to a 2-Year Deal
2015-07-06I'm coming home!!!!! #cavsnation #cityilove #questforaring
— Mo Williams (@mowilliams) July 7, 2015
WOW! I’m a sucker for a good story, and Mo Williams reuniting with LeBron James and Anderson Varejao is a GREAT story. Mo was about as depressed as a multi-millionaire pro athlete can get after LeBron left for Miami. He stayed salty for a while.
But all that’s in the past. Mo is still a pretty good shooter. He takes a lot of 3s these days (was always a bit outside his comfort zone – he was pretty automatic on pull up 17 footers) and last season he had a PER of 15.4 and had pretty good offensive win shares. Of course, if you thought Mo was a bad defender when the Cavs won 66 games, he’s gotten worse. He ranked 29th out of all point guards in Real Plus Minus, ahead of people like: Shaun Livingston and Patty Mills (or, backup point guards on championship teams).
If you are really worried about Mo’s defense, recall that the Cavs found a way to play Mike Miller in the finals, I’m confident that Mo Will will add some value. Also, he dropped 52 points in a game last season. That’s not nothing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nFb9432d0I
Digging through the archives, I found John’s description of “The Kraken”, inspired by that Liam Neeson trailer that aired during every NBA commercial.
Out of a Cavs timeout with 28 seconds to go, they decided to run…my favorite play ever. The decoy pick-and-roll. The Kraken. The play that never fails. Call it what you will, but it worked again, as Mo went baseline, Ilyasova got back-screened, and LeBron cut to the basket to drain a contested layup with 17 seconds to go. The Bucks turned it over, Mo drained free throws, and that was that. The Cavs’ best set worked on the most important possession of the game. Who would’ve thunk it?
RELEASE THE KRAKEN!!!!!!
Why is everyone talking like AV will get no minutes on this team? Before his injury he had a PER of 17+
That was better than TT during the regular season.
The only way AV doesn’t play significant minutes (10-20 minutes) is if he just can’t come back from the injury. But the whole “AV was a step slow before injury” thing is a bit absurd.
Also, no thanks on Joe Johnson. Especially when you have to give up AV. I think bringing Joe Johnson aboard would hurt us more than help us. I’d MUCH rather trade Hayward for Crawford and keep AV.
Resign all the remaining guys already. With the addition of Mo, who’s filling in for PG and SG to some extent, the only thing we need imo is still a 3&d player. But now what he’s base should be is a small forward and the four as secondary position. James Jones doesn’t qualify for me.
And NO. Please no Joe Johnson. Don’t even imagine him to be a spot up spacer. It won’t work here. He needs the ball to go ISO-Joe. That’s what he does to be effective.
That’s second unit material, since he can also defend. Exactly what is needed.
I still want to resign JR after this signing. Maybe to a 2 year 15-17 mil contract? Maybe a team option for the second year if we offer more money? The bench scoring between Mo and JR would be amazing…granted the D would be horrific.
Trading for JJ made a lot more sense when we were getting West. I think Andy might be a bigger need than JJ without a 4th big. JJ would be awesome. But if Love or Moz gets hurt I’d rather have Andy
Bismack Biyombo! Hello?!!!
I’m really not a fan of Reggie Jackson for some reason. I feel like he deceived some into thinking he’s better than he is. I don’t know why I should care because he plays for the Pistons? But for some reason it bothers me. I really can’t wait to watch Detroit to miss the playoffs and the blame start to focus on overrated Reggie Jackson.
You will love the podcast we recorded tonight
Sweet! I’m glad there’s some agreement, I assume.
He hit the freaking lottery. He’s an above average player who got traded to a team that felt they had better pay him and keep him rather than lose him for nothing.
Very happy for Mo.
This year’s draft class is killing it in the Summer league. Usually does not translate into the regular season, but I hope these guys can all have strong showings in their rookie years.
Myles Turner is awesome, I did not realize how good he really is. He should have been a top five pick.
I’d love to find a back up for LeBron but I’m not sure I want to send AV in a package. I realize he’s been ‘glass joe’ the last few years, but he won’t have to play very many minutes going forward and I wouldn’t want to piss off LeBron like they did when they shipped Z for Jamison.
At some point, it’s inevitable that they either can’t sign or trade away somebody that LeBron likes. While it would be great to keep AV for championship ring purposes, it’s hard to see where he’d get many minutes at all. Between KLove, Moz, TT and Bron, there’s not going to be much extra time to go around. If you could get a Joe Johnson for Haywood and AV, wouldn’t that make sense?
Totally agree. Sad to have Andy leave but Johnson would be a major plus.
Yes I would endorse this trade, even though AV is one of my favorite players. I just wouldn’t want to get into a situation where they traded one of LeBron’s favorite guys, I know it’s ridiculous because half of the NBA seems to be “LeBrons Guys!” I’ve also never been much of a fan of Joe Johnson, but as a 4th/5th option he’d be fun. Hopefully they can work something out where they keep AV and find a back up to LeBron. And HOPEFULLY AV can stay healthy! I’d love the CAVS to win a championship with AV as a… Read more »
I think AV has one more year, plus a player option. And, he might want to relab until Jan or Feb. That means the Nets can pay him off, and about mid season, he can rejoin the Cavs for the minimum. If they do that, he will never have to even show up in NJ.
One more year, one year partial guarantee at 4 Mill, and one team option year. The last two years are specifically designed to make him a tradeable contract.
I agree with what EG said. I said this on the prior thread, can’t be emotional about business/basketball decisions. Joe Johnson would fulfill the only glaring need… and it’s really the only need the Cavs have at all. Haywood/Varejao for Joe Johnson? I don’t think there’s a question you do that deal. Probably why it won’t happen.
I don’t know that we have a glaring need. We need Kyrie and Love to stay healthy. Sure Joe Johnson would help but he’s too steep a price. I’d rather resign JR and bring in Crawford with Haywood’s contract. Maybe throw in Xmas to sweeten he deal?
OK granted re: “glaring” adjective, the only “need” is a backup scoring wing to spell LBJ, something JJ could do quite well I’d imagine, especially against backups.
If he costs Haywood/Varejao… to me, that’s definitely not too expensive. I think they could re-sign JR and get JJ. Heck no to Crawford, especially in light of Mo’s deal.
I agree about not pursuing Crawford….Great to have Mo but both he and Crawford are poor defenders. Could be a step backwards to have them both. JR for all his quirks played some surprisingly good D for much of the year (not so much in the finals). JR and Johnson would be good gets, IMHO.
Agree re: JR… just hopefully sign him to a not too long of a deal.
Plus you’ve got Christmas as Andy insurance…
I don’t see Christmas getting much run, but I do hope he gets to play on December 25th. Do you know when the first CAVS summer league game is?
Christmas won’t need to get much run… plus he’s a 4 year guy who may be able to contribute more quickly than other rookies. At least this is what I’m telling myself HAHA!!!
So was Joe Harris!
Well.. I expect Joe Harris to step up n rain some 3s this year HAHA!!!
I think Harris will see more consistent minutes on the 2nd string. He can drain threes… I think it’s ridiculous that he doesn’t see some time spacing the floor for LBJ, Kyrie, and Love.
Yea, I think Blatt was a bit shy about subbing. That is an issue for a lot of coaches, and I hope Blatt grows out of it.
I think not playing anyone besides the starters really hurt the Indians when Hargrove was the manager. Hargrove always said: They are regulars for a reason. So he let guys get exhausted while Brian Giles sat on the bench, and then given away.
Well said, Raoul… I agree. Can’t blame coaches for being that way, they’re trying to win. But also, coaches have to see the long term goals and not be such a slave to the present.
We have no clue about what any of the rooks can do. Maybe after summer league we can take a guess. Christmas is a four year guy, so he is more grown up. Plus, he got a BS + MS in four years (I bet you don’t see that at FSU!) which demonstrates he is a hard worker and not at all a screwup. Let’s hope for a pleasant surprise.
That’s awesome…. had no idea Christmas bring that scholarly attitude with him!!!
Good point. I was wondering about an Andy trade. I would think that if Lebron is “engaged” he should let Griffin know if he objected to an Andy trade before it happens….if they trade him and then Lebron objects, whose fault is that? And is Lebron not communicating because TT hasn’t been signed yet?…this just doesn’t sound like LBJ is “leading”. Sorry for the whining.
Yes, that sounds funny. Maybe the whole think is a charade for who knows what reason. LeBron is the greatest, but he can be a bit goofy at times.
@KeithBritton86: .@BobbyMarks42 on @BullandFox (re: Tristan Thompson): “I would give him a blank contract and tell him to fill in the number”
@IAmJamarioMoon: I would love to come back and crank that Defense up and ignite those fans in the Q! I’m ready! Let’s make it happen! @cavsdan @cavs
Is he even in the NBA anymore?
I think he’s with the Harlem Globetrotters! :)
He’s playing in South America with Delonte…
I’d also like to bring back James Jones!!!
I’m sure they will… Where else would he go? He’ll take a vet minimum deal to come back for one more year…
I hope so. He’s probably waiting for LeBron to make it official or the FO is waiting for LeBron to make it official.
I love Mo! So happy they brought him back. It’s a total low risk signing and it’s not like he will have to be the 2nd guy this time around. Now just resign Delly and JR and try to pick up something with that Haywood contract. Hopefully we don’t have to give up AV either.
With Mo’s return, do we keep Andy and instead package JR Smith (sign and trade) plus the expiring contract for Joe Johnson?
Not sure Nets would exactly want JR on a multi-year deal, and don’t think JR would sign just a one-year S&T. More likely they just trade Haywood straight up for Crawford
He’ll do it if he can’t get anything else.
His opt out was stoopid.
Can’t do a sign and trade without causing all sorts of apron related penalties.
We can send out a sign and trade, just not accept a sign and trade.
I’m a Mo skeptic, but we’ll see. I think he’ll mostly spell folks in the regular season and be stuck to the bench in the playoffs.
Hard to be skeptical when he’ll only realistically be called on to play 15-20 minutes a night as a backup PG. Mo gives them another guy who can handle the ball, get easy assists, create some offense and can be a knock down spot up shooter. In the words of Nick Gilbert… “what’s not to like?”
I tend to agree with you, Charlie E. I’m worried about his ability to break guys down off the dribble and get into the paint, a skill which doesn’t get better at his age. On the other hand, he will be facing backups on a consistent basis, so maybe he’ll find good match ups. I get that there’s a homecoming narrative, which is a nice story… but I think it’s only a good story if he can deliver on the court. On the plus side, I’d rather have Mo Williams than Crawford… avoiding Crawford with Mo is a victory in… Read more »
I don’t think the homecoming narrative has anything to do with why the Cavs signed Mo, I think it has everything to do with why Mo signed with the Cavs at the price he did, that and the potential ring.
Watch that video of the 52. Dude can still score
Oh I did, all except one score were all outside jumpers… don’t get me wrong, I’m glad he can drain his jumpers and the Cavs need all the 3pt ability they can get… but it’d be nice to have a PG get into the paint consistently off the dribble.
Can’t wait until they start playing this again at the Q…
Remember when…?
Wow! Z is a foot taller than LeBron!
Recall the wonderful day about a year ago when people at the Miami airport saw a seven and a half foot guy getting off DG’s plane! They knew they were screwed. HAHAHA!
BTW, I just saw an early EC projection, and some clown had the Heat finishing #2. I have the Bucks at #2.
I could see the Heat 2 if EVERYTHING goes their way….i.e., Wade plays a lot of minutes, everyone is healthy, Winslow is ready from the get go, etc. But unlikely all that goes in their favor.
Welcome back Mo!
Nice to have Mo back and plus he fills a real need. Crawford is now redundant and would also make our defense worse. Johnson would be a nice add.
This is fantastic news. Griffin rules.
How did that team win 66 games? I watched it happen and I still can’t fathom it.
They won by having the leauge’s best player, the league’s 3rd best defense, and 5 players who shot @ 40% from three. That team will be perpetually underrated and it makes me sick.
They did it by being by far the best team in the league that year. They ran into some bad luck matchups in the playoffs. The Cavs were undoubtedly the best team in the league for the two years after losing to SA, and maybe three years. Bad luck, and getting screwed by the refs in game 7 against Boston. I would love to see a detailed analysis of the calls and no calls in that game. In case you forgot, Boston opened the game with a couple dozen foul shots to build a huge lead, and the Cavs comeback… Read more »
I’m always amazed at my ability to be pissed off by the ’09 ECFs. Don’t get me started on the ’07 ALCS.
Yeah, that team was great. It doesn’t fit the narrative that LBJ didn’t have help so everyone says they sucked, but they were very, very good. LBJ with a post game and championship experience would have resulted in rings.
They had unbelievable chemistry at both ends and great outside shooting to go along with LeBron in total video game mode. I don’t care what anyone says, LeBron in 2009 was completely unstoppable
I thought he signed with someone else a couple of days ago. Did I dream that?
Memphis was reportedly trying to, but then they got sidetracked with Brandan Wright and gave him their MLE instead…