Derrick Williams Will Turn His Career Around With New York Knicks

+Read full article
Derrick Williams
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Phil Jackson and the New York Knicks were unable to make any huge splashes in free agency this offseason, but they have made three very solid pickups so far. Arron Afflalo and Robin Lopez were the first two players to sign with the Knicks, but the third signing might end up being one of the biggest steals in free agency. Derrick Williams agreed to a two-year, $10 million contract with the Knicks and will look to turn his career back around.

Williams was the second overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves, but has never figured out how to put everything together and reach his full potential.

During the 2014-15 season with the Sacramento Kings, Williams ended up averaging 8.3 points and 2.7 rebounds per game. He shot 44.7 percent from the floor overall and 31.4 percent from behind the three-point arc. Those numbers weren’t terribly impressive, but he did show flashes of the skill-set and potential that the Timberwolves saw to take him with the No. 2 overall pick.

At just 24 years old, Williams is just entering the physical prime of his career. He has developed well with the playing time that he received in Sacramento, and he is ready to break out onto the big stage of Madison Square Garden. Jackson obviously liked what he saw in Williams enough to pay him $5 million per season, and he was a major priority for the Knicks after the top tier of forwards went off the market.

Looking ahead to the 2015-16 season, there are a few areas that Williams will need to improve in order to make the big leap forward in his career.

First of all, he’ll have to improve his mid-range and three-point shooting. He is athletic enough inside to jump over most defenders and finish at the rim strong, but his shooting has to improve. Forcing defenses to respect his outside shot would give him even more chances to get to the rim or to the foul line.

Secondly, he has to come out each and every game with passion and energy. He has done a much better job over the past two seasons, but could still get much better in that category.

Thirdly, and finally, Williams will need to take on a more aggressive role on the offensive end of the court. Williams was absolutely dominant during his collegiate career, but hasn’t found the confidence to take games over in the NBA. New York is putting the exact type of trust in him that he needs, and having a legend like Jackson believing in him will help him get to the next level.

Being able to play alongside Carmelo Anthony and learn his game will help Williams out a lot as well.

Williams may not become a superstar, but there is no question he will turn his career around and prove himself to be an above average role player, at the very least. There is a chance that he will reach his full potential and turn out to be a star like many expected, which adds even more excitement to the 2015-16 season for the Knicks and their fan base.

Evan Massey is a featured writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter at @Massey_Evan and like him on Facebook.

Share On FacebookShare StumbleUpon