Upcoming NBA Free Agents: Maurice Williams of the Milwaukee Bucks

Often regulated to a bench role on the Bucks, Maurice Williams has had somewhat of a breakout year with Milwaukee this season. His 17.7 point and 6.3 assists a game are both career highs. With the Bucks looking to upgrade at point, however, Maurice may be on his way out.

Story Before Free Agency - Used mainly as a spark off the bench in his first few seasons, Maurice Williams got his chance to shine when T.J. Ford was traded to the Raptors. Despite injuries to almost every one of Maurice's supporting cast, he has still posted terrific numbers all year long.

Why A Free Agent? - Maurice's contract expires after this year and with the Bucks showing interest in All-Star guard Chauncey Billups may find himself on the way out. Maurice is a terrific, young player but is still too inexperienced to perform consistently in big games like Billups or other veteran guards can.

Strengths

• Speedy, young player with many years ahead of him in the league. Can push the tempo with the best of them.
• Fairly consistent three-point threat, can catch fire at any point in a game.
• Pretty good size for a point guard at six-foot one and 185 pounds.
• Shows a knack for passing and is a career .850 free-throw shooter.

Accomplishments

· Being a 24 year old point guard whose in his first starting season, Mo has no NBA accomplishments yet.

Expected Salary Offer - In most seasons, Maurice Williams would find himself on the short end of the stick when it comes to salary offers. Despite his skill and youth, he has yet to really "wow" any team. Indeed it can be seen that his numbers this season are a consequence of a high-tempo offense that has had nothing to play for in a while. I would expect with the lack of good point guards available in the draft, however, that some team will offer Maurice 45 million dollars over five years.

Teams In The Mix

· Milwaukee Bucks - Should the negotiations with Chauncey Billups seem fruitless, remember Detroit can always offer him more money, they will turn to resigning their own point guard. There is a strong possibility that Maurice Williams stays a Buck.

· Los Angeles Lakers - Is anyone buying Smush Parker at starting point-guard? The triangle offense does not require an All-World point-guard, but I am sure Kobe and Phil wish they had someone who could be counted on to hit open shots. Maurice Williams would be a perfect fit for the Lakers.

· Detroit Pistons - If the Pistons somehow do lose Chauncey Billups to the Bucks, expect them to sign-and-trade Mr. Big Shot for Maurice Williams. He would be the obvious replacement for this worst-case scenario.

Maurice's Choice - It actually seems as if Maurice is happy in Milwaukee and would prefer to stay a Buck. That, however, is up to the team and not him at this point.

Telling Quote - With the Bucks projected to be $14 million under the salary cap next season and in need of a point guard, Billups could be a good fit. In Detroit's season-opening loss to Milwaukee Wednesday night, Billups saw the Bucks' young talent firsthand. The same friend said Billups liked what he saw. (From the Globe Staff).

Final Prediction - The Bucks make a major error and pursue Billups only to lose him to the Pistons. They then attempt to resign Maurice but he has already chosen to leave. Maurice signs with the Lakers for 45 million dollars over five seasons in a sign-and-trade deal.