With Marvin Williams, MKG gone, Hornets signal its never been more about kids
Marvin Williams is the guy you want at the next desk. Or to move into the house next door.
He’s a gentleman. He gets the value of teamwork. He’s a mentor. He’s the guy Charlotte Hornets point guard Terry Rozier described Saturday as his “favorite vet” after just six months on the same roster as Williams.
After 5 1/2 seasons in Charlotte, power forward Williams has completed a buyout and was waived Saturday. ESPN reports he’ll sign with the Milwaukee Bucks. It’s understandable that in this situation — not playing in the midst of a Hornets youth movement — he’d want to spend the rest of what might be his last NBA season with a contender.
Williams is a remarkably likable guy who was generous in sharing wisdom without sounding like a know-it-all. That’s what made center Cody Zeller a little sad Saturday morning, adjusting to the idea Williams would no longer be his teammate.
“This news is tough for me because we spent every day for six years together,” Zeller said. “All the summers together. Planes. Buses. Over the past six years, I’ve probably spent more time with Marvin than anyone else in my life.
“He’s a great, great teammate... One of the best, nicest people in the league.”
That’s the consensus. Ex-Hornet Kemba Walker looked floored Friday night when a reporter in Boston told him Williams was in the process of a buyout to join the Eastern Conference-leading Bucks. It appeared Walker wished Williams would join him with the Celtics.
Steve Clifford, who coached Williams his first four seasons in Charlotte, articulated Williams’ value Monday when Clifford’s Orlando Magic was in town.
“What he brought to the teams here, and I’m sure still doing it now, is professionalism — a guy who is respected by every player and every coach in the locker room,” Clifford said.
Williams provided a deep institutional knowledge from 15 seasons in the NBA, starting when he was drafted No. 2 overall in 2005 out of North Carolina. He saw how the NBA was evolving to a more perimeter-oriented game, and reinvented himself as a 3-point shooter. He has a rare savvy defensively; he was the traffic cop for the Hornets defensively, calling out opponents’ plays and directing counter-measures.
Clifford compared Williams’ basketball IQ to that of former Duke star Shane Battier’s, which is the highest of praise.
I think Williams will fit well with the Bucks, partially because he won’t have an ego problem. No matter how much or little Milwaukee coach Mike Budenholzer plays him, Williams will accept it. That was apparent from how he functioned as a Hornet; last season he went to coach James Borrego and said it wasn’t important to him whether he started or not. Williams was about team.
MKG, happier place?
The Hornets announced Saturday afternoon they had waived Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, which apparently involved a buyout, too. (A buyout is when a player gives up some guaranteed money, usually a small percentage of his remaining salary, in return for his release). ESPN reported the Dallas Mavericks are interested in signing Kidd-Gilchrist.
The Mavs’ interest is no surprise. The Observer and the Dallas Morning News reported last week that Kidd-Gilchrist was a possible trade target for the Mavs, in need of a mid-size defender.
Kidd-Glichrist was more negatively impacted by the Hornets’ youth movement than any other veteran. A former No. 2 overall pick, he played in only 12 games this season.
It was clear on media day, just before training camp in September, that he was frustrated, replying “no comment” when asked about what he’d been told about his role.
Kidd-Gilchrist was never much of an offensive player. But there was a time when Clifford could sic him on anyone from a point guard to a power forward defensively. He was fierce on the court and classy off it. I hope the Mavs have use for him.
Now what?
It became clear after the Hornets returned from Paris two weeks ago that the youth movement was in overdrive. Notably more minutes for rookie Cody Martin (until his concussion) and for third-string center Willy Hernangomez.
Four veterans with a combined $70 million in salaries this season — Williams, Kidd-Gilchrist, Bismack Biyombo and Nicolas Batum — didn’t play a minute in Tuesday’s loss to the Houston Rockets.
I asked Borrego after the game in Houston what that rotation represented for the rest of the season.
“The goal right now,” Borrego said, “is to get these young guys experience. And the more, the better.”
Saturday morning the Hornets brought two rookies, Caleb Martin and Jalen McDaniels, to Charlotte. Those two have spent most of the season with the G-League Greensboro Swarm. That doesn’t necessarily mean they will stay in Charlotte, but I don’t disregard the symbolism:
These last 30 games are all about the kids. The vets are history.
This story was originally published February 8, 2020 at 3:33 PM.
