The Detroit Pistons claimed Shawne Williams off the wavier wire today. Williams, 29, will be considered a stretch four for the Pistons, which will help bolster the front court and add a quality shooter to the Pistons rotation after they traded Jonas Jerebko to the Celtics for Tayshaun Prince.
“Shawne’s more of a guy that we think can play right now. He’s a guy that should be ready to go and throw in an NBA game right now.” said Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy
Van Gundy also said that former Lakers coach Mike D’antoni helped solidify the claim the Pistons made on Shawne Williams. “We were just talking about the guys he’d coached. He spoke really, really highly of Shawne from his year with him last year – his attitude, his work ethic and what he thought of him as a player.”
Williams has started 22 games this year for Miami. He’s averaging 6.6 points in 21 minutes and shooting .395 from behind the three point line.
Van Gundy has already made two moves this season to acquire seasoned veterans such as Anthony Tolliver from the Suns and Joel Anthony from the Celtics. Both moves have seemed to pay a quality return for the Pistons.
According to Stan Van Gundy, Shawne Williams also has a very favorable contract. “He’s a guy who comes on a value contract and he’s got a non-guaranteed contract for next year, so it gives us a lot of flexibility and it’s one of those moves that helps us right now, going forward, over the last 25 games and also gives us an asset and that’s what we’re into. We’re trying to get better, we’re trying to acquire assets. I think Shawne fits in both categories.”
Williams is expected to join the Pistons sometime before they host the New York Knicks on friday night.
Van Gundy also states that the acquisition of Shawne Williams does not affect the signing of Quincy Miller. Miller signed a 10 day contract with the Pistons Saturday. The claim on Williams now brings the Pistons up to 15 men, filling their roster.
