Elliot Williams, Santa Cruz Warriors
Position: Shooting Guard
Age: 26
D-League Slash Line: .500/.361/.794
D-League Season Averages: 40.9 MPG, 28.1 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 5.8 APG, 1.2 SPG, 1.6 3PM
The New York Knicks are searching for a point guard, but that doesn’t mean they should ignore other positions. Thus, it’d behoove Phil Jackson and the front office to take a close look at Santa Cruz Warriors star Elliot Williams.
The 26-year-old has dominated the D-League, and it wouldn’t be a terrible idea to see how far his abilities have come by NBA standards.
Williams’ season averages—28.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 5.8 assists—are evidence enough of how brilliant he’s been. A 6’5″ shooting guard with a long wingspan, the 26-year-old combines an accurate outside shot with the ability to drive the lane and finish in traffic.
His average of 8.5 free throw attempts per game should be evidence enough.
With New York’s previously acknowledged struggles to create points in the paint, Williams could be a major help. He’d offer a shooting touch that falls in line with the Knicks’ need for a higher volume of 3-point field goals, and would thrive in an area that isn’t Arron Afflalo‘s forte: finishing above the rim.
Williams may or may not stick, but as, arguably, the best player of the 2015-16 NBA D-League season, he’s worth considering.