Derrick Williams. Remember him? The former No. 2 overall pick of the Timberwolves never found his way to success in Minnesota, but he might be turning his career around with the Sacramento Kings.
SB Nation in Sacramento took a look at why Williams is “thriving” away from the Wolves.
One of the things that he’s been allowed to do in Sacramento that he wasn’t in Minnesota is to lead the breaks if he grabs the ball. He’s got a good handle and he’s quick to get up the floor as well. He’s been getting most of his points by attacking the paint and drawing fouls, an efficient way of scoring and one suited to his strengths. Williams has become Sacramento’s go-to bench scoring option the last few games.
Williams has shot the ball with far more efficiency since he was traded in December. In 22 games with the Kings he’s connecting on 54.3 percent of his field goal attempts, compared to the 43.6 percent he shot in 11 games with the Wolves.
While coming off the bench isn’t what former No. 2 overall draft picks are supposed to be doing, Williams is embracing his role as Sacramento’s sixth man.
Zach Harper predicted that Williams could have success away from Minnesota. As he put it, Williams just didn’t fit in the Wolves’ rotation, so he had to go. But he’ll be back in Minnesota Wednesday night when the Wolves host the Kings.
Leading the break sounds good, but Williams is also still throwing down some astonishing dunks. In a recent game, Kings big man DeMarcus Cousins found Williams for this big slam.
