Ridiculous Upside: Pacers To Sign Marcus Williams From D-League

by Tom Lewis on Apr 6, 2010 7:07 PM EDT in Indiana Pacers News

Scott Schroeder is reporting that the Indiana Pacers are actually going to tap into the D-League to sign Marcus Williams for the rest of the season.

Seems awfully strange since there are only five games left in the season but I'd love to see someone like Williams come in and play some minutes to finish out the season and possibly carve out a useful spot on the roster heading into the offseason.

According the Schroeder, Williams is a highly touted prospect in the D-League.

He was drafted by the Spurs in the second round of the 2007 draft, but didn't make the team and ended up with the Spurs D-League affiliate, the Austin Toros, where he's been developing ever since. While he's become more of a leader, rounded out his scoring to include a more consistent jump shot and is better on the defensive end, his developing point guard skills is what has me most intrigued.

Seriously, I'm having trouble digesting this one. Now that the Pacers have won their way down the lottery draft order, they're bringing in a D-League player to fiddle around with for the last few games? Hopefully this is more along the lines of an under-valued prospect with, you guessed it, upside that the team wants to grab heading into the offseason.

UPDATE: To clarify some confusing I'm getting in email, this Marcus Williams went to Arizona (via Roosevelt High in Seattle). He is not the point guard predecessor to A.J. Price from Connecticut.

Tweet Comment 4 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I'm all for this

After seeing teams like Golden State strike exciting players from the D-League time and time again, I’m all for giving some D-Leaguers some look, especially after New Reggie Williams pitched a perfect game inside the arc a few nights back.

I have an issue, however, with…TIMING! I’m not sure what the Pacers expect from Not-UConn Marcus Williams to offer in five games. Unless they want to snag him for the summer or see what Evan Turner will look like in the lineup (keepin’ the dream alive), I am confused, but also excited. Some fresh blood is always nice, especially when you get amped for trade deadline stuff, and wake up to find you’ve signed on for at least two more months of DunMurph.

Could this move involve Kevin Pelton in some way?

by Nathan S. on Apr 6, 2010 9:54 PM EDT reply actions

Hmm....

Schroeder also says this is the first ever D-League signing by the franchise. The first ever d-league signing is made shortly after hiring that stats guru from basketball prospectus? Simple coincidence? Or was there some consultation there? Interesting to think about.

I like what Schroeder says about this kid possibly being a 6’7 PG. Coach O’Brien and Larry have both mentioned on numerous occasions that they want a big, physical player at PG, so why not give him a shot? Watson and Head are most likely gone, Ford isn’t really in the future plans, maybe Williams could be cheap option/project PG for the future.

All this is assuming they actually sign the kid.

by Hinrich10 on Apr 6, 2010 9:54 PM EDT reply actions