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Clippers in tight spot with CJ Williams. Sign him, cut him or send him down?

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7 years ago

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Former NC State guard, CJ Williams has been the story of the season. He’s gone from 3-star prospect to college role player, to overseas journey-man, to now, an NBA starter.

In fact, Williams was coming off a 5 game stretch where he was averaging over 11 points and shooting 55% from the field and 42% from beyond that arc. During that run, he also hit a game-winner over the Hawks.

That successful stretch ended, however, when Williams went down with an ankle injury vs. the Warriors last week.

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Now the Clippers must make a decision. Williams was on a 2-way contract, which allows him to be transferred up and down between the G-League and the NBA. According to that type of contract, he is able to spend 45 days with the Clippers and if our count is correct, he’s got 2 days left on it.

That means that the Clippers are in a bit of a tight spot with Williams.

There is no doubt that he is helping their team. There is no doubt they want him on the court for their team. But the final decision may have less to do with basketball and more to do with business.

 

“If a player hits his 45-day allowance, and the team wants to keep him, there’s a rule built in for that: any two-way contract can be converted to a rest-of-season minimum-salary contract. All you need is an opening on the 15-man roster for that player to move in to, which the Clippers have. Unfortunately, however, a rest-of-season minimum-salary deal carries a cap hit, which a two-way contract does not. And for a team like the Clippers, who are narrowly underneath the luxury tax threshold, that’s a big deal. Adding a minimum-salary deal would put the Clippers into taxpayer territory, where the penalty for every dollar spent over the tax line is $1.50. Williams’ salary would be a pro-rated amount of the rookie minimum ($815,615) but his cap hit for tax purposes would be a pro-rated amount of the 2-year veteran’s minimum ($1,471,382). That means that a rest-of-season deal for C.J. Williams would cost the Clippers about $400,000 in salary (pro-rated rookie minimum), and $900,000 in luxury tax payments (the pro-rated cap hit, minus the $120,000 in space the Clippers have below the luxury tax line, multiplied by 1.5 for the tax penalty).” (ClipsNation)

 

So what do the Clippers do? As of now, CJ Williams salary isn’t counted towards the cap, which has been a huge bonus for this team. However, with the 2-way contract expiring, they have to weight the cost/benefits of keeping him up vs. taking another route.

That other route could be cutting him.

 

“If the Clippers aren’t convinced that they’ll be able to get underneath the tax by the deadline, and they are adamant about staying under this season, then one can see how they’d decide to cut him. With his 45 days running out, and the team super shorthanded (they’re playing a 9-man rotation), they can’t really afford to have a two-way contract spot sitting unused. So, they could choose to release C.J., and let him become a free agent, where multiple teams would surely be interested after seeing what he’s done for the Clippers this year (they could also trade C.J.’s contract to a team that is willing to convert him to a rest-of-season deal, if another team is willing to give up a second-round pick for him). If cut C.J., it would likely be on January 14th or the morning of the 15th, so that they can sign a replacement two-way player before the January 15th two-way contract deadline.” (ClipsNation)

 

Another option could be sending him back down…

 

“This option is probably the last appealing to C.J., and it presents some problems for the Clippers as well, but it’s a safe way to keep him within the organization. When a player hits their 45-day limit, the team is not obligated to either convert or release them. Instead, the Clippers can just choose to not call C.J. up again for the rest of the season, and have him serve the remainder of his two-way contract with the Agua Caliente Clippers of Ontario.

This is kind of a lame outcome for C.J., who would probably be able to land a shot with another NBA team relatively quickly if he became a free agent, but it’s allowed within the parameters of the contract he signed with the Clippers. And for the Clippers, it would mean continuing to use a two-way contract slot on a deal that has very little NBA utility, as they wouldn’t be able to bring him up for any more days.

However, there’s one upside: the Clippers could retain control of C.J. so that he could join the team later on this season. He would play the night of the 15th against the Rockets, and the morning of the 16th re-join ACCO indefinitely. If at any point between now and the trade deadline, the Clippers happen to make a move that gives them additional room underneath the luxury tax line, they could then convert C.J.’s two-way deal to a rest-of-season deal, putting him on the 15-man roster and making him available for the rest of the season. At that point, they would not be able to re-use that two-way contract slot this season.” (ClipsNation)

So, as you can see, there is no real cut and dry, simple option for the Clippers and that’s kind of unfortunate for for CJ Williams since he’s held up his end of the bargain by working his tail off and playing playing great basketball.

We’ll keep you updated on the situation as it unfolds.

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Former NC State All-ACC F TJ Warren Signs Exhibit 10 Deal with the Knicks

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4 days ago

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October 4, 2024

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Former NC State ACC Player of the Year TJ Warren has signed an Exhibit 10 deal with the Knicks.

What is an Exhibit 10 deal?

Here’s what Google’s AI cooked up:

An Exhibit 10 contract is a one-year, minimum salary, non-guaranteed NBA contract that teams can use to bring in players for Summer League competition. The contract can include an optional bonus of up to $75,000 if the player spends at least 60 days with the team’s G League affiliate after being waived.

Conversion to two-way contract: Teams can convert an Exhibit 10 contract into a two-way contract before the regular season begins. This guarantees the bonus and makes the contract a two-way contract.

Maximum number of contracts: Each team can have up to six Exhibit 10 contracts at a time.

Roster spot: If a player is kept on the 15-man roster after the regular season begins, their contract becomes a standard minimum deal.

Compensation protection: Exhibit 10 contracts don’t come with compensation protection.

When the contract becomes fully guaranteed: If the team doesn’t guarantee the deal, it becomes fully guaranteed on January 10. However, in reality, contracts become fully guaranteed on January 7 because players must clear waivers by January 10 to avoid this.

Warren is looking to find a new NBA home as he approaches his 10th NBA season. Last year, TJ played in only 11 games for the Minnesota Timberwolves, averaging 3.7 points in 11.4 minutes per game. In 2022-23, Warren played in 42 games split between Brooklyn and Phoenix, averaging 7.5 points in 16.4 minutes per game. Prior to that, TJ missed the entire 2021-22 due to a foot injury, which also caused him to miss all but 4 games of the 2020-21 season.

It’s been a rough couple of years for the former ACC Player of the Year (2014), but prior to that, Warren had been a starter in the NBA for 5 straight seasons, averaging 14+ points per game in each of those seasons.

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Former NC State TE Trent Pennix has Been Signed to the Colts’ Practice Squad

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4 days ago

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October 3, 2024

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Former NC State Tight End Trent Pennix has been signed to the Indianapolis Colts Practice Squad.

After going undrafted in April, Indianapolis signed Pennix to an Undrafted Free Agent deal. In the first game of the 2024 NFL Preseason, Pennix suffered a groin injury, and was waived. When Pennix wasn’t claimed off of waivers, Indy put him on their IR.

Pennix was being used as a Running Back with the Colts, instead of Tight End, which is where he ended his career at NC State. Originally, NC State recruited Pennix out of Sanderson High School as a Running Back, and that was his position with the Wolfpack his first couple of seasons.

In his final year in Raleigh, Pennix had 15 receptions for 190 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also rushed the ball 2 times for 67 yards and a touchdown.

This is a great opportunity for Pennix, and lucrative one at that. People might not realize that players on an NFL Practice Squad make $12,500 per week in 2024. If you are in your first year in the NFL, and are on the Practice Squad for the full 18 weeks, you would make $225,000.

Pennix joins a handful of other players on NFL Practice Squads.

NC State Players on NFL Practice Squads

RB Trent Pennix – Colts

WR Thayer Thomas – Vikings

DT TY McGill – 49ers

S Tanner Ingle – Rams

DT Cory Durden – Rams

LB Vi Jones – Bucs

WR Kelvin Harmon – Cowboys

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Former Wolfpacker, Carlos Rodon, taking the ball in Game 2 for the Yankees

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5 days ago

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October 2, 2024

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The New York Yankees will open up their AL Division Series matchup against either the Royals or the Orioles on Sunday. They will obviously be going with their ace, Gerrit Cole. However, they announced on Wednesday that they will be going with former NC State pitcher, Carlos Rodon, for Game 2 on Monday.

He was in contention to start Game 2 with Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt, but Schmidt is just coming back off of inury and Gil has been erratic down the stretch. Meanwhile, Rodon has been solid.

Rodon hasn’t given up more than 2 runs in any of his previous 5 starts and has 34 strikeouts over that span.

Rodon finishd the season with a 3.96 ERA and 195 Ks. That’s the second most strikeouts in his career (best was 237 with San Francisco in 2022). It was his 4th best season in terms of ERA over his 10 year career.

But, the former Wolfpacker hasn’t fared very well against Baltimore this season. Over 2 starts he has a 9.00 ERA. However, he has dominated Kansas City. In those 2 starts he has a 2.08 ERA and 12ks over 13 innings.

Let’s hope he’s matched up against KC in this one!

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NFL Week 4 Pack Pros Report

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6 days ago

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October 2, 2024

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Here’s a rundown of how the former NC State football players in the NFL did in Week 4.

Wide Receiver Jakobi Meyers (starter) led the Raiders in receptions (5), receiving yards (49) and targets (10) in their 20-16 win over the Browns. His PFF grade of 73.3 was the 3rd highest on the Las Vegas offense, which is his highest grade of the season, and his highest grade since Week 12 of last year.

Punter AJ Cole (starter) averaged 58 yards per punt (4 punts) in Las Vegas’ 20-16 win over Cleveland.

Linebacker Germaine Pratt (starter) had 9 tackles and 1 pass breakup in Cincinnati’s 34-24 win over Carolina. His PFF grade was 66.6, playing in 64 of 70 snaps. He was injured in the contest, but was able to return.

Linebacker Payton Wilson had a career high 6 tackles in his first career start in the Steelers’ 24-27 loss. His PFF Grade was 74.0, which was the 4th highest on Pittsburgh’s defense, and the highest grade of his career. He played 37 of 66 snaps.

Linebacker James Smith-Williams had 5 tackles and 1 tackle for loss in the Falcons’ 26-24 win over the Saints. His PFF grade was 67.1 which is his best grade since Week 7 of last year. Smith-Williams played in 34 of 74 snaps.

Defensive Tackle Alim McNeill (starter) had 2 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 1 pass breakup and 1 QB Hit in Detroit’s 42-29 win over Seattle. His PFF grade of 77.0 was the 2nd highest on the team, which was his best grade of the season, and the highest grade since Week 13 of last year. McNeill played in 63 of 90 snaps.

Quarterback Jacoby Brissett (starter) was 19 of 32 for 168 yards and a touchdown (1 INT) in the Pats’ 13-30 loss to the Niners. His PFF grade was 34.4, which is the 2nd lowest grade of his career.

Cornerback Nick McCloud (starter) saw his first action of the season, returning from injury, in the Giants’ 15-20 loss to the Cowboys. He had 3 tackles and 1 tackle for loss, and his PFF grade was 60.7 (37 of 56 snaps).

Linebacker Drake Thomas had 2 tackles in Seattle’s 29-42 loss to the Lions. He had a PFF grade of 33.9 in 9 snaps, which is the lowest grade of his career.

Center Garrett Bradbury (starter) played every snap in Minnesota’s 31-29 win over Green Bay. His PFF grade was 68.0.

Left Tackle Ikem Ekwonu (starter) played every snap in the Panthers’ 24-34 loss to the Bengals. His PFF grade was 66.3.

Left Guard Joe Thuney (starter) played every snap in the Chiefs’ 17-10 win over the Chargers. His PFF grade was 61.7.

Left Guard Chandler Zavala (starter) played every snap in the Panther’s 24-34 loss to the Bengals. His PFF grade was 63.4, which was the best grade of his career.

Place Kicker Brayden Narveson (starter) missed both of his field goal attempts in Green Bay’s 29-31 loss to the Vikings.

Nose Tackle Kentavius Street didn’t record any stats in the Falcons’ 26-24 win over the Saints, but played in 19 of 74 snaps. His PFF grade of 28.5 was the worst grade on Atlanta’s defense, and the 2nd worst grade of his career.

DNP

Center Dylan McMahon – Eagles

Injury

DT BJ Hill – Bengals

DT Larrell Murchison – Rams

RB Nyheim Hines – Browns

LB Bradley Chubb – Dolphins

QB Russell Wilson – Steelers

DT Justin Jones – Cardinals

 

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