Derrick Williams
Position: PF/SF
Hgt: 6'8"
Wgt: 240
Age: 22
Number: 7?
Nickname: Yipping Mongoose
College: Arizona
Yrs with Team: 0
Yrs in League: 3
Previous Teams: Minneosta ('11-'13)
How Acquired: trade for Luc Mbah a Moute, Nov '13
Contract: 2013-14 $5.3mil; 2014-15 $6.7mil;
Strengths: athlete
Weaknesses: inefficient, stuck between positions
Offense (Scoring & Passing)
Good athlete, but played PF in college and does not always have the ballhandling skills to make the most of his athleticism. Will finish inside with authority, but normally needs to either be set up or have a lane. Lacks much of a post game or midrange game off the dribble, but has some ability as a faceup catch and shoot player (although he often likes to take a steadying dribble or two before letting the shot go). Was gradually extending his range, although this year has gotten off to a poor start. Last season shot threes at about a 33% pace, and is a career 70% from the line, so far from a pure shooter. Has a slow windup to his shot and a tendency to kick his feet, but enough size and lift to get it off. Can occasionally come up with a nifty finish around the rim, but not a ballhandler, good for maybe 2 or 3 dribbles to set up a jumper or finish, and rarely creates for himself or others. Has carried a selfish tag as a passer and has averaged only 0.5 ast/gm over his career, but some of that may be skillset related as much as selfishness.
Defense & Rebounding
Has been caught between positions on this end too. If he's a power forward, he's smallish and weak inside, but does have some potential to show and recover and switch up top. If he's a small forward, his lateral mobility is an open question against quicker opponents. Has never used his hops much as a shotblocker. Has potential to be a strong rebounder as a small forward, barely adequate as a power forward.
Intangibles
Primary calling card right now is being the #2 pick in the draft a couple of years ago. A very good run/jump athlete who could team with McLemore to provide highlights on the break and give Vasquez multiple alley oop targets. But has been a man stuck between positions. If he's another undersized PF (his best streak in the NBA was at PF last season), will join a giant scrum for minutes. More likely will be tried at SF, where its unclear if he can provide the spacing to help Cousins, and all the ballhandling/passing will have to fall to the PGs. There were rumors and whispers of attitude problems and conflict with Adelman in Minnesota, and may think more highly of himself than his performance warrants. But with an open SF position here just waiting to be claimed, will have no one to blame but himself if he doesn't win it.
Stats 13-14: 14.7min 4.9pts (.352 FG% .133 3pt% .875 FT%) 2.4reb 0.1ast 0.4stl 0.4blk 0.5TO
Stats Career: 22.6min 10.1pts (.420 FG% .298 3pt% .708 FT%) 4.9reb 0.5ast 0.5stl 0.5blk 1.2TO
ESPN.com profile
Position: PF/SF
Hgt: 6'8"
Wgt: 240
Age: 22
Number: 7?
Nickname: Yipping Mongoose
College: Arizona
Yrs with Team: 0
Yrs in League: 3
Previous Teams: Minneosta ('11-'13)
How Acquired: trade for Luc Mbah a Moute, Nov '13
Contract: 2013-14 $5.3mil; 2014-15 $6.7mil;
Strengths: athlete
Weaknesses: inefficient, stuck between positions
Offense (Scoring & Passing)
Good athlete, but played PF in college and does not always have the ballhandling skills to make the most of his athleticism. Will finish inside with authority, but normally needs to either be set up or have a lane. Lacks much of a post game or midrange game off the dribble, but has some ability as a faceup catch and shoot player (although he often likes to take a steadying dribble or two before letting the shot go). Was gradually extending his range, although this year has gotten off to a poor start. Last season shot threes at about a 33% pace, and is a career 70% from the line, so far from a pure shooter. Has a slow windup to his shot and a tendency to kick his feet, but enough size and lift to get it off. Can occasionally come up with a nifty finish around the rim, but not a ballhandler, good for maybe 2 or 3 dribbles to set up a jumper or finish, and rarely creates for himself or others. Has carried a selfish tag as a passer and has averaged only 0.5 ast/gm over his career, but some of that may be skillset related as much as selfishness.
Defense & Rebounding
Has been caught between positions on this end too. If he's a power forward, he's smallish and weak inside, but does have some potential to show and recover and switch up top. If he's a small forward, his lateral mobility is an open question against quicker opponents. Has never used his hops much as a shotblocker. Has potential to be a strong rebounder as a small forward, barely adequate as a power forward.
Intangibles
Primary calling card right now is being the #2 pick in the draft a couple of years ago. A very good run/jump athlete who could team with McLemore to provide highlights on the break and give Vasquez multiple alley oop targets. But has been a man stuck between positions. If he's another undersized PF (his best streak in the NBA was at PF last season), will join a giant scrum for minutes. More likely will be tried at SF, where its unclear if he can provide the spacing to help Cousins, and all the ballhandling/passing will have to fall to the PGs. There were rumors and whispers of attitude problems and conflict with Adelman in Minnesota, and may think more highly of himself than his performance warrants. But with an open SF position here just waiting to be claimed, will have no one to blame but himself if he doesn't win it.
Stats 13-14: 14.7min 4.9pts (.352 FG% .133 3pt% .875 FT%) 2.4reb 0.1ast 0.4stl 0.4blk 0.5TO
Stats Career: 22.6min 10.1pts (.420 FG% .298 3pt% .708 FT%) 4.9reb 0.5ast 0.5stl 0.5blk 1.2TO
ESPN.com profile
