Hawks’ Marvin Williams wants out, Cavs can capitalize with Ramon Sessions
By Sam Drew on February 21st, 2012 at 10:29 am
Injuries may not be the only distractions the Atlanta Hawks will have to go through this season.
According to ESPN’s Chris Broussard, small forward Marvin Williams is frustrated with his place on the team and wants the organization to trade him.
“Frustration abounds in Atlanta right now, and sources say Williams wants out because he wants to play somewhere where he’ll have an increased role offensively.”
Through 28 games this season, Williams is averaging a career-low 9.6 points per game as a permanent starter. Williams also averages 5.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.6 steals in just 24.2 minutes per game—the lowest in his career.
Despite a decrease in scoring over the last five seasons, Williams’ 16.3 PER this season is the highest of his career. He’s also shooting a career-high 44.4 percent from downtown on the year.
If the Hawks put Marvin Williams on the trading block, the Cleveland Cavaliers would likely be a team of interest.
Since LeBron James’ leaving for the Miami Heat, the Cavs have gotten limited production from the small forward position. This season, players have produced a 10.9 PER from the spot—more than four points below the NBA average.
Williams would be an instant upgrade over Cavs’ Alonzo Gee and Omri Casspi, who have PERs of 12.6 and 10.9, respectively, on the season. Cleveland traded for Casspi last season, but he has failed to make the impact general manager Chris Grant said he would make.
Williams’ development as an outside shooter would also fill a need the Cavs have looked for from the 3 position. He also comes somewhat cheap. The 25-year-old is on the books for $7.5 million this season and is signed through 2013-14 but can opt for free agency after next season.
With the emergence of rookie point guard Kyrie Irving, backup Ramon Sessions has become expendable. Last trade deadline, the Cavs and Hawks were in talks that would have sent Sessions to Atlanta, and the same could happen next month.
Atlanta’s backcourt situation has been a mess this season, and Sessions would be a breath of fresh air for the Hawks.
Joe Johnson, who the Hawks signed to a six-year, $123.7 million in July 2010, has put up PERs of 16.4 and 16.6 the last two seasons—the lowest since the 2004-05 season. Starting point guard Jeff Teague has a 16.1 PER this season, but reserves Jannero Pargo and Kirk Hinrich have PERs of 12.3 and 7.3, respectively.
Cavs could also “sweeten” the deal by adding backup center Ryan Hollins. Although Hollins, who is averaging just 3.1 points and 1.6 rebounds in 11.0 minutes per game, isn’t an impact player, he does add depth for the Hawks, who are without Jason Collins and starter Al Horford.
Atlanta may also have interest in reserve Samardo Samuels, who can play both the center and power forward positions.
Cleveland is currently 12-17 this season and sits ninth in the Eastern Conference—just two games behind the Boston Celtics. Williams could be the missing piece to take the last playoff spot, if not more.