Getting Marcus Williams isn't a blockbuster for Warriors but it's a very nice move

July 22, 1:02 PMGolden State Warriors ExaminerMatt Steinmetz

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Marcus Williams; Nice addition 

Warriors president of basketball operations Chris Mullin pulled off the kind of move on Tuesday that doesn’t cause much of a ripple throughout the NBA.

He acquired point guard Marcus Williams from the New Jersey Nets for a protected first-round pick. Big deal, right? Well, for the Warriors … yes it is.

I guess I’ll just come right out and say it: I like this move; I like Marcus Williams.

I like the kind of point guard Williams is and I think his style fits in well with this team. I also think Williams’ acquisition will help Monta Ellis, whom the Warriors are force-feeding the point guard position.

Yesterday, the Warriors didn’t have a proven ballhandler/playmaker/decision-maker on their roster. C.J. Watson, you say? I said “proven.”

They do now. I realize Williams averaged just six points and two assists per game last year but keep in mind he played for the Nets. What do they average: 81 points per game?

It’s no secret Williams will fare better in the Warriors’ uptempo offense. He’s quick from one end of the floor to the other and he can score and create just enough to keep defenses honest.

Williams will likely come off the bench most nights for Golden State, although he’ll probably get a handful of starts, too, because coach Don Nelson is given to changing the lineup one game to the next.

Williams played 16 minutes per game last year for the Nets, which will probably be about what he plays for the Warriors. Williams’ mere presence is a wonderful gift to Ellis, and should lessen the stakes some when it comes to learning the point guard position full-time.

It is no longer all or nothing for Ellis at the point.

Getting Williams also means that Ellis is sure to play about half the time at shooting guard, his best position by far and where he is most valuable and effective.

Williams shot just 38 percent from the field last year, but he also shot 38 percent from 3-point range. That would make him the best shooter from beyond the arc on the Warriors.

You’ve heard all the point guard names before: Kirk Hinrich, Delonte West, Jannero Pargo, Kyle Lowry, etc. Sure, Hinrich would  have been interesting, but the Warriors weren’t going to get him for Al Harrington.

And as far as the others, I’d rather have Williams because he won’t cost as much (still on rookie deal) and in the Warriors’ system could very well be more effective than any of them.