It might just be agent-speak in order to drive the Bucks’ price up, but Mo Williams is apparently considering taking less money to play with Shaq and Dwyane Wade instead of re-signing with the Bucks. The Heat are over the cap, so all they can offer is their mid-level exception, which works out to about $30 million over five years. The Bucks have reportedly offered $40 million over the same span.
So will Williams turn down $10 million in guaranteed money to play for a “contender”? Usually, players talk about wanting to play for a good team, but it’s mainly the grizzled vets like Karl Malone and Gary Payton who become underpaid mercenaries in their quest for a ring, not 24 year-olds who are signing their first big contract. That said, the money the Bucks are offering isn’t that much more than the Heat, so Williams could very well bolt.
I wonder how a Wade/Williams backcourt will work. Both players dominate the ball, but Wade is more of a slasher, while Williams is a better outside shooter.
The Bucks are an up-and-coming team, and if they can re-sign Williams and get Yi Jianlian on board, they would be poised for a big leap in the East this season and could become a consistent power in the conference. If they lose Williams, they’re going to have a big hole at PG with no real backup plan.
I think Williams will take the money and re-sign, but as a Bucks fan, I’m a little worried.
