Thanks, Clutch. I still have to say no to Jay. 2 years out of the league with some devastating injuries. The fact that he can walk without a limp is amazing, let alone play basketball at a high level. I wish him good luck, just not in Rockets red.
It'd be great to see Jay Williams make it back into the NBA but let's be honest, his game was predicated on his quickness. The severness of his leg injuries makes him into a jump shooter at best (as Clutch pointed out, he wasn't very good at that) and a defensive liability. I'd invite him to play on the summer league team and see what he can do but I'm sure some team looking for pub will sign him up.
Sign him to the league minimum for two years, with team option on the second. If he can't play at the NBA level anymore, he is a one year bet. He should be an excellent influence on the team, if his work ethic is for real.
IMO if he can play run,shoot,reb,move the ball ofensive,and defend pretty good he's rolling and is a good adition to the team for backup try them for a year with a 1.5 million offer or less hey we have Charlie Ward as a backup or starter
I'd love to have him to be our 3rd PG. If he shows some progress, he will eventually get into JVG's rotation
I wouldn't say 'No' out of hand, but -- BUT -- who knows what remains physically or where the upside stops. I have to leave that to those with a close look at Jason Will, and he does have a lot of will, at this 'point'.
I would say no also, but I would like to give this guy a shot. He would start off being a good bench player. But after a few years, he might be the PG of our future.
from JVG's POV: 1. this would be a bold move, and potentially risky, but we have to roll the dice if we want to be top 4. 2. making room for him could mess with chemistry. 3. before we sign him we would have to make a trade to have room for him. if his workouts go well, and he plays well on a summer league team then JVG has to be interested.
he is a VERY poor man's Steve Francis. No thanks =) Although, good luck to him on another team... I never really liked his game, even in Duke. I wouldn't even have selected him with the #2 pick.
What if he more than proves he's back and at the end of that second year, teams are thowing $10 million a year at him? The Rockets can only offer Early Bird money.
This is where I was going. He is damaged goods. I personally wouldn't take the chance, unless it was league minimum. I mean he's gotta be better than Moochie.
Different time, different player, but I keep thinking of another former Duke PG (Bobby Hurley) trying to come back from major injuries from a vehicle accident.
Randy Livingston is what I envision when I think of the return of Jason Williams. Livingston was a prep phenom turned slow-footed bust after a severe injury during college. Of course, he had his tour of duty with the Rockets and was nothing short of horrific.
Can't really say anything until he starts working out for teams. Obviously if he is anywhere from 75-80% ready, there will be interest from a lot of teams. He will have a lot to prove on and off the court. IF he is anywhere close to ready, I wouldn't mind picking him up on a cheap contract. He will obviously have to play limited minutes at first but JWill did show some flashes of greatness before his injury.
There's really nothing to lose by establishing a relationship with the kid. Which in my opinion, should have started years ago, by sending our trainer. But since that can longer be done... who cares, he's cheap, so why not take a risk. I don't think the the summer is gonna be enough to determine much of anything. It would take him at least a half season to become bad again. Whoever signs him is in it for the long haul. But like I said, why not. We'll just cut back on the visitors lockeroom next year in order to make room for his salary.
If he's in any semblance of NBA form I would like the rox to offer him the vet minimum or 1.5 mil exception. Hopefully one/both of Jay/spoonyless would work out and we'd have some good youth at pg. Then we could concentrate more on pf and sg with the draft and mle.
Obviously he is a lot smarter than the other JWills (Jason Williams and Jayson Williams). If his health condition swings as frequently as his name changes, he may be a serious risk for Rox to take.
