NBA Rumors: Marvin Williams Testing Free Agency, Open To Charlotte Hornets Return

NBA rumors have started swirling around Marvin Williams. The 29-year-old power forward is set to become an unrestricted free agent this upcoming summer. According to the Charlotte Observer, the former North Carolina Tar Heels star would like to resign with the Charlotte Hornets. Williams isn’t your typical superstar in the National Basketball Association, but he is a player who will help teams win games and do what’s necessary. With the salary cap rising again this year, teams could be willing to offer Williams some serious money to join their team.

Marvin Williams was a five-star recruit coming out of high school. He was listed as the second best power forward and the eleventh best player in the nation in 2004. During his senior year, he averaged 28.7 points, 15.5 rebounds, five blocks, and five assists per game. Williams earned numerous awards, including being named a McDonald’s All American, a Parade All American, and all state.

Marvin Williams decided to play college basketball at the University of North Carolina under head coach Roy Williams. As a freshman with the Tar Heels, he played an integral part of the National Championship run that year. Williams was the team’s sixth man. He provided an explosive spark off the bench. He averaged 11.3 points and 6.6 rebounds in 22.2 minutes per game. He scored the go-ahead basket in the championship game. Williams spent only one season in college and then declared for the NBA Draft.

The Atlanta Hawks selected Marvin Williams with the second overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft. He was the first out of four North Carolina Tar Heels to be a lottery pick that year. During his rookie year, he averaged 8.5 points and 4.8 rebounds in 24 minutes per game. Williams spent seven years with the Hawks. He was then traded to the Utah Jazz. He spent two years with the Jazz before deciding to sign with the Charlotte Hornets. Williams looks to have found his home with the Hornets. He is a team captain for them.

This season, Marvin Williams helped lead the Charlotte Hornets to a 48-34 record. He played a key role in helping the team win games. Hornets head coach Steve Clifford calls Williams the quarterback of the defense. He makes sure everyone is where they are supposed to be. Marvin is a very versatile player. He can guard either the small forward or power forward positions. He averaged 11.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, and a block. Williams is a stretch four in the NBA. He is shooting 40 percent from beyond the arc.

Marvin Williams isn’t the only player set to become a free agent this summer. The Charlotte Hornets will have to decide if they want to resign Jeremy Lin, Al Jefferson, Courtney Lee and Nicolas Batum. All of these guys have stated that they want to return to the team. Steve Clifford has stated that he wants to keep the core players together and continue to build on their success from this year.

Marvin Williams will be on several teams’ radar after the year he had. He was one of the most consistent players for the Charlotte Hornets. One team that could potentially be interested in Williams will be the Detroit Pistons. Head coach and team president Stan Van Gundy would love to have a player like Williams because he stretches out the floor. Andre Drummond would be able to have the low post to himself.

Marvin Williams isn’t a superstar by any means, but he is a consistent player who does whatever that is asked of him to help the team win. That is a quality a lot of teams will be looking for when free agency comes around.