Williams Unrestricted After Knicks Fail to Sign
After claiming former Miami Heat PG Jason Williams off waivers last week, the New York Knicks could not agree to a formal contract with him and he became an unrestricted free agent on Friday, according to ESPN.
ESPN’s Marc Stein reports that Williams’ agent, Dan Tobin, believed negotiations with the Knicks would carry on past the exclusive five day negotiation window that the Knicks had with Williams by claiming him from waivers.
The Knicks have auditioned Williams, along with former Pacers PG Jamaal Tinsley and Mavs G/F Jerry Stackhouse in an attempt to patch up their backcourt. Coach Mike D’Antoni is hesitant to enter the season with Chris Duhon as the team’s primary point guard; despite a record first-half, Duhon broke down considerably in the second half of the season.
Williams, a 10-year NBA vet, becomes eligible to play in games on the one-year anniversary of his official retirement on Sept. 26.
Without Williams, the Knicks remain focused on Milwaukee restricted free agent Ramon Sessions as a possibility for their need for a point guard.
