Veteran point guard Mo Williams, who remains on the Cavaliers’ roster despite indicating he would retire, underwent left knee surgery on Wednesday, writes Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com. As McMenamin details, the procedure was intended to treat the chondromalacia Williams has dealt with in recent years.
In an Instagram post announcing the surgery, Williams appeared to take a veiled shot at the Cavaliers, writing that it’s been “quite a while” since he was 100% healthy. “Nobody and I repeat nobody actually gave a damn about my health but me,” Williams wrote. “Taking control of my own career/life.”
According to Jason Lloyd of The Akron Beacon Journal, as well as McMenamin, Cavaliers team doctors suggested to Williams that surgery wasn’t necessary for his troublesome knee. Lloyd writes that Williams sought a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews, who also advised against surgery, The third doctor to provide an opinion, Dr. David Altchek, elected to operate on the veteran guard.
Although Williams’ agent has indicated his client will retire, the Cavs intend to keep tabs on the 33-year-old’s recovery and rehabilitation project, and are still carrying him on their roster. Williams hasn’t filed his retirement papers, meaning the Cavs would have to pay his full salary if they waive him. According to both Lloyd and McMenamin, the team has attempted to work out a buyout of his $2.195MM salary, but hasn’t had much luck so far.
With the regular season opener fast approaching, there may be resolution on Williams’ status soon, though the Cavs could carry him as their 15th man into the season to postpone a decision.