Williams is likely on his way to Cavs
LeBron James wanted a playmaker to help the Cleveland Cavaliers. Deron Williams is ready to be that guy.
The Dallas Mavericks waived Williams on Thursday, and the five-time AllStar is now looking to join the Cavaliers as they pursue a second straight championship, a person with knowledge of the situation told the Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because Williams has to clear waivers before signing with Cleveland.
Williams averaged 13.1 points and 6.9 assists for the Mavericks this season. The 32-year-old is in his 12th season and loved playing in Dallas. But the Mavericks resume play after the All-Star break on Friday night in Minnesota sitting in 12th in the Western Conference.
James said earlier this season that the Cavaliers were in need of another playmaker off the bench to back up starter Kyrie Irving. Matthew Dellavedova filled that role beautifully for the Cavaliers during runs to the NBA Finals the previous two seasons, but he left for a big contract with the Milwaukee Bucks last summer.
Mavs get Noel
In addition to waiving Williams, the Mavericks acquired big man Nerlens Noel from the Philadelphia 76ers on the day of the trade deadline. The Mavericks sent veteran center Andrew Bogut, young swingman Justin Anderson and a protected first-round draft pick to the 76ers.
The 22-year-old Noel was the sixth overall pick in the 2013 draft.
He clashed with the 76ers at times during his stay because of a logjam in the frontcourt that also included Jahlil Okafor and Joel Embiid.
More trades
The Oklahoma City Thunder added some help for Russell Westbrook, acquiring Chicago Bulls forwards Taj Gibson and Doug McDermott for Cameron Payne, Joffrey Lauvergne and Anthony Morrow. The Thunder also got a 2018 second-round pick. Gibson adds the athleticism and experience to the front line that the Thunder lost when they traded Serge Ibaka in last year’s draft.
The Phoenix Suns sent forward P.J. Tucker to the Toronto Raptors for forward Jared Sullinger and a pair of second-round draft picks (2017 and 2018) and acquired power forward Mike Scott, the rights to Turkish guard Cenk Akyol and cash considerations from the Atlanta Hawks for a 2017 secondround pick . ... The Denver Nuggets added another big man for the stretch run by acquiring Roy Hibbert from the Milwaukee Bucks for a protected second-round pick in 2019 . ... The Brooklyn Nets got swingman K.J. McDaniels from the Rockets for cash.