National Basketball Association

LeBron James could be getting the playmaker he needs despite quiet deadline day

Published Feb. 23, 2017 5:40 p.m. ET

Andrew Lynch

After a flurry of NBA trade deadline activity, the Dallas Mavericks made one more move.

The Mavericks announced they waived Deron Williams on Thurday afternoon, opening the door for the former No. 3 overall pick to join the Cleveland Cavaliers as the backup point guard LeBron James so desperately wants.

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This is very good news for the Cavs, as Williams is about the best playmaker Cleveland could have hoped to sign. The three-time All-Star averaged 13.1 points, 6.9 assists and 2.9 rebounds in 29.3 minutes per game for the Mavericks this season.

As for Dallas, waiving Williams clears the way for Yogi Ferrell as the Mavs' full-time starting point guard. The undrafted 23-year-old has averaged 14.2 points, 4.7 assists, 3.0 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 33.0 minutes in 10 games for the Mavericks, including seven starts.