Hornets forward Marvin Williams will be an unrestricted free agent at season’s end, and while he might continue his playing career if he gets an NBA offer he likes, he has given some thought to the idea of retirement, as he tells Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer (subscriber-only).
“I’ll be honest with you, I’ve certainly thought about being done,” Williams said earlier this week. “I feel like that’s where I am right now: I could do it or I could not.”
Williams, 33, is averaging a career-low 19.6 minutes per game this season. His 6.9 PPG and 2.6 RPG also represent the worst marks of his 15-year career. Still, the underlying numbers suggest the former No. 2 overall pick can continue to be a capable rotation piece — his shooting line of .454/.377/.886 is strong and he’s a solid perimeter defender.
Whether or not Williams signs a new NBA contract in the summer, he has some ideas about what he’d like his next step to be when he eventually retires as a player.
According to Bonnell, Williams’ best friend is fellow UNC alum Deon Thompson, who has spent his entire professional career playing in overseas leagues, making stops in Greece, Germany, China, Israel, and Spain, among other countries. Thompson’s experience has helped fuel Williams’ interest in international basketball outreach.
“I like the Junior NBA (program) where you are basically a camp counselor all around the world,” Williams said. “Basketball Without Borders, I’ve done a couple of those: I went to Africa and I went to Indonesia. … Any opportunity I get to travel and work with kids? That’s what I would love to do.”
He has more than enough money for retirement. If his heart is not in it anymore, then he should walk away.
being on a losing team, every season, every year would do that to you
It’s the Ja Morant effect! People don’t want too see him up in the AIR Hammering on them! ☹️
When he gets traded to a contender or bought out and picked up hell possibly reignite that flame.
agreed, he would be a good backup for a contender.
a good backup stretch 4 for sure
Marvin Williams would definitely make a good rotation piece for a playoff team. I’m hoping Charlotte has a trade or buyout for him in the works.
Would be solid for a team like the Rockets, Blazers or Jazz
Did anyone else hear Pat Riley’s evil laugh just now ?