FEBRUARY 22: Williams’ new 10-day contract with the Cavaliers is now official, the team announced today in a press release. When the deal expires, Cleveland will have to make a rest-of-season decision on Williams, and for now he looks like a good bet to stick with the team.
FEBRUARY 21: The Cavaliers will sign Derrick Williams to a second 10-day contract on Wednesday, Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com reports. Williams’ first 10-day deal with the team expired during All-Star weekend.
Vardon notes that it’s likely the combo forward remains with the team for the remainder of the season. It was previously reported that Williams had done enough to secure another deal with the team and LeBron James has said he wants to see him in Cleveland long-term.
“We hope that this is a long-term thing,” James said. “He’s 25-years old. It doesn’t seem like it because we’ve been hearing his name for so long. But he’s 25, he hasn’t even gotten to his potential, to his prime yet. So hopefully this group, this locker room, myself, my leadership — just want to see him grow every day, and it’s a good place for him.”
Vardon notes that if the Cavs need a roster spot to complete a trade, they could terminate the contract and then re-sign him later for the entire season. After Williams officially signs the new 10-day deal, the team will have 14 players under contract.