Point guard Brandon Williams, who helped the Mavericks survive a severe player shortage over the past few weeks, has reached the 50-game limit on his two-way contract, writes Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News.
Two-way players who have been with their teams since the start of the season can only be on the active roster for 50 games, regardless of how often they play. Williams made an impact while appearing in 31 games, averaging 8.3 points, 1.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 14.8 minutes per night with .511/.379/.857 shooting numbers.
“I’ve just learned how to play with All-Star caliber players, and how to contribute to winning basketball,” he said. “Ultimately, just doing all that stuff and the learning comes with it. Game reps. It’s a lot different than practice. It’s not only going to help me now, but it’ll help me in the future.”
The Mavericks never expected Williams to be a key figure in their fight for a postseason spot when they re-signed him to a two-way contract in July. His role increased following the surprise trade of Luka Doncic in early February and Kyrie Irving‘s season-ending ACL tear a month later. With Dante Exum breaking a bone in his hand in mid-March and Jaden Hardy dealing with a sprained right ankle, Dallas was suddenly short on healthy backcourt players.
Williams came to the rescue, allowing the Mavs to stay in the race for the play-in tournament. He scored 16.6 PPG in 11 games after Irving’s injury while adding 3.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists per night.
“It’s easy to say be patient, to wait, you’re going to get a turn,” coach Jason Kidd said. “Sometimes it takes weeks, months. For a situation that we’ve been in all season with injuries, he’s had that opportunity come a little bit sooner. He’s taken full advantage of it. … He has shown that he can play at a high level.”
Dallas has won three straight games with Anthony Davis back in the lineup and is holding onto the ninth spot in the West at 37-38. However, it’s still a tight race with Sacramento only a half-game back and Phoenix two games behind, and the Mavs are starting to face another roster crunch. Kessler Edwards reached his active-game limit last week, leaving Kai Jones as the only available two-way player.
The deadline for signing two-way contracts has already passed, and the Mavericks can’t fill their open roster spot until April 10 because of hard-cap restrictions. Williams, Edwards and Jones may all receive consideration for that standard deal, but the team will have to find a way to get by until one of them can be added.
“I really wish he could stick with us because B-Will has been such a pleasant surprise, such a great energy off the bench or in the starting lineup,” Klay Thompson said. “It sucks he can’t keep going because he’s made a huge impact.”
This aspect of the NBA seems so weird. These contracts make no sense. Why a 50 or 10 day limit? The MLB system makes more sense. You can have a 15 man and 20 man roster. The extra 5 would play for your GLEAGUE team. You might even be able to make it a 13 man roster. They should also drop the limits for who can play in GLeague. It might make the NBA more. Why is GLeague less popular than college basketball. The disconnect between March Madness and the GLeague is odd? Most MLB fans know who is in the “Pipeline”. Triple A teams average attendance is 5,000.
I’m with you on this. There could be a thriving minor league system
I grew up near where the GLeague Ignite first played. When heard about the location, “the short bus school”. Turns out there was more land. But, the venue was really just a glorified 24-fitness. They easily could have done better. The Toronto Blue Jays triple A affiliate’s stadium is practically major league ready.
You also have to think what the whole one-and-done philosophy has done to the NBA. Bill Russell wasn’t initially good enough to play college hoops. He played on USF’s Junior Varsity team. Jimmy Butler is pretty talented player, but he had to start at a Junior College.
Players need time to develop. It can’t happen in one year of college. MLB has 5 minor league levels. Every team has between 5 and 8 minor league teams. All those teams average at least 1,500 in attendance.
It might prevent egregious tanking. There would be less need to find superstars, and fill out a roster, if you a steady stream of players from your minor league.
The cap is the issue here. We all know Nico is to blame or his cap guy is an idiot.
I would guess there’s a lot of interest in him based on his play with the Mavs.
GSW could certainly use him!
I wasn’t sure why Portland released him years back
Silver messed this up