SB Nation Dallas - Dallas Mavericks Waive Sean Williams, Sign Kelenna Azubuikehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48887/dallas-fave.png2012-03-23T11:31:26-05:00http://dallas.sbnation.com/rss/stream/26615292012-03-23T11:31:26-05:002012-03-23T11:31:26-05:00Dallas Mavericks Sign Kelenna Azubuike To Two-Year Deal
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<p>With the open roster spot created by releasing reserve center <span>Sean Williams</span>, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Dallas Mavericks</a> signed free agent wing <span>Kelenna Azubuike</span> to a two-year deal for the league minimum on Friday.</p>
<p>A 6'5 220 swingman with the athleticism to shuttle between the shooting guard and small forward positions, Azubuike hasn't played in the NBA since injuring his knee in the early stages of the 2009-2010 season as a Golden State Warrior.</p>
<p>He went undrafted out of Kentucky in 2005, before catching on with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/">Warriors</a> in 2006, averaging 10.6 points and 4.0 rebounds on 46% shooting in four seasons.</p>
<p>The Mavericks were reportedly intrigued by the progress he has made rehabilitating his knee, enough so that they waived Williams, a promising defensive center, in order to sign Azubuike. </p>
<p>Dallas is extremely thin at the small forward position behind <span>Shawn Marion</span>, but it's unclear whether Azubuike will be able to step in and play at the NBA level after a nearly three year absence.</p>
<p>He will begin his time in Dallas with the Frisco Legends of the D-League.</p>
<p><i>For all the latest news and notes on the Mavericks, head over to <a href="http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavs Moneyball</a>.</i></p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/dallas-mavericks/2012/3/23/2897495/dallas-mavericks-sign-kelenna-azubuike-to-two-year-dealJonathan Tjarks2012-03-22T14:22:35-05:002012-03-22T14:22:35-05:00Dallas Mavericks Waive Sean Williams
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<p>Waiving the athletic young center opens up a roster spot, although it's unclear whether the Mavericks plan to do anything with it.</p> <p>In a somewhat surprising move, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Dallas Mavericks</a> announced they were waiving back-up center <span>Sean Williams</span> on Thursday.</p>
<p>Williams had played in 8 games this season for Dallas, averaging 3.6 points, 1.6 rebounds and 0.6 blocks:</p>
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<p>Mavs waive Sean Williams. Roster down to 14. Williams gotta be thinking, "Waiving me & keeping Lamar?"</p>
— Art Garcia (@ArtGarcia92) <a href="https://twitter.com/ArtGarcia92/status/182907765944098816" data-datetime="2012-03-22T19:13:04+00:00">March 22, 2012</a>
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<p>The 6'10 235 center had bounced back and forth between the Mavericks and their NBDL affiliate, the Texas Legends, all season long, but had been with the team for most of the last month ever since a string of injuries hit Dallas' roster.</p>
<p>However, in the process, Williams used all three possible assignments to the D-League he had available to him as mandated by the CBA.</p>
<p>In his brief playing time, he showed glimpses of the excellent defensive potential that made him a first-round pick of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/new-jersey-nets">New Jersey Nets</a> in 2007. He washed out of the league due to off-the-court issues but there were no reports of any incidents in his time in Dallas.</p>
<p>While the move saves the team a small amount of money, Marc Cuban has never been one to pinch pennies, so the release may indicate the Mavericks have plans to use Williams' roster spot in the upcoming days.</p>
<p><i>For more on the defending NBA champions, head over to <a href="http://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavs Moneyball</a>.</i></p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/dallas-mavericks/2012/3/22/2894216/dallas-mavericks-waive-sean-williamsJonathan Tjarks