Earlier in the week, it was reported that the Wizards were close to signing Johnathan Williams and according to the team, the deal is official.
Washington will use the hardship provision to bring the big man on without a corresponding roster move. This will be the second player added via the hardship provision, as the team signed Gary Payton II earlier in the week.
As we explained in our story on Payton, the NBA can grant a team a hardship exception when that team has at least four players who have missed three or more games due to injury or illness and are expected to miss at least two more weeks. If a team has five players who fit that bill, a second additional roster spot can be granted.
Williams played with the Lakers last season on a two-way contract. Before that, the center split his college time between Missouri and Gonzaga.
As a free agent this past offseason, Williams signed with Maccabi Rishon Le-Zion, where he had averaged 12.2 PPG and 10.4 RPG in nine Israeli League games.
Will this be another big man that the Lakers let go and does well for the wiz?
Probably not bc of playing time + he’ll probably be cut when Wagner and Bryant get healthy, but as a Wizards fan, one can hope!