Lou Williams is the odd man out.
With the regular season nearing the end, the Hawks are evaluating rookie Dennis Schroder and Shelvin Mack with increased minutes. The team wants to determine their futures and how they may relate to the organization’s offseason plans, including June’s NBA draft. The evaluation is ongoing as the Hawks fight for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
So as Hawks management and coaches watch those two guards, Williams also watches, but from a seat at the end of the bench.
The Hawks signed Williams to a three-year, $15.675 million contract in 2012. Yet the veteran has not played in the past seven games. The following is an analysis of the situation.
Williams averaged 14.1 points and 3.6 assists last season before a torn ACL cut his season short at 39 games. Williams rehabbed the injury and returned this season with averages of 11.4 points and 3.1 assists as he worked himself back into playing shape.
Williams said he was nearing 100 percent and feeling more confident. However, he played five first-quarter minutes against the Trail Blazers on March 5 and none since. Williams has been a Did Not Play-Coach’s Decision for six games, including four victories. He missed one game, a win over the Bucks on March 13, and two practices for the birth of his daughter.
Coach Mike Budenholzer said not playing Williams has been his decision as he looks to improve the team’s defense and size on the wings. He has addressed the situation several times, most recently before Tuesday’s win over the Raptors.
“Lou has done a lot to help us this year,” Budenholzer said. “Right now we are looking at some different combinations, looking at being a little bit bigger on the wings. All year we have tried different things and looked at different players in different situations. He is someone who we believe in, who has been helpful. He has been very professional, and I know he’ll be ready when we need him.”
Williams said he is a competitor and wants to be on the floor, but will abide by the coaching decision. In subsequent interviews, he referred all questions about his playing time to Budenholzer.
Privately, Williams is not happy with the lack of playing time and spoke to Budenholzer about the situation, according to a person familiar with the situation. The conversation was not heated, the person said. Williams has turned to at least one player to talk through dealing with the difficult situation.
The 6-foot-1 Williams has one more year on his contract and will be paid $5,450,000 next season. It is an attractive salary, for the Hawks or another team, for a player of Williams experience and ability. In 2011-12, his final season with the 76ers before signing with his hometown Hawks, Williams led the team with 14.9 points in 64 games all off the bench.
Mack is an unrestricted free agent following this season after making $884,293. His contract was a non-guaranteed deal the Hawks kept midseason. If the Hawks determine that Mack is an option, he could like be signed at a salary much less than that of Williams.
Schroder, who is getting the bulk of Williams’ minutes and also is listed at 6-1, has had an up-and-down rookie season. He started as the primary backup point guard, but lost the spot to Mack with a high turnover ratio. He missed five games for a stint in the NBA Development League. He is averaging 14 minutes over the past 10 games. During that stretch he has 22 assists and eight turnovers, including none in four of the past five games. Schroder will make $1,690,680 next season. The Hawks have team options for $1,763,400 in 2015-16 and $2,708,582 in 2016-17.
Budenholzer said he wants to take advantage of Schroder’s speed to be a disruptive defensive presence. One of the issues facing the Hawks has been an inability to hold big leads much of the problems coming on defense. At times Budenholzer has used a three-guard unit, with a combination of Jeff Teague, Williams, Mack and Schroder, which has not always been successful. Budenholzer acknowledged he put the guards in tough positions having to defend much bigger opponents.
Williams has changed his pregame warm-up routine, at least on-court as of late, as he appears aware that he is unlikely to play. He is not stretched by trainers before games and does little shooting. He no longer does the jumping jacks that were a part of his pregame ritual.
As the Hawks play the final 16 regular-season games before a probable playoff berth, riding a five-game win streak, it appears Williams will remain at the end of the bench, barring an injury.
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