Shelden Williams, former backup center for the former New Jersey Nets, has reportedly reached an agreement with the French team Chalon. The story was first reported by the French basketball website Catch and Shoot, and then confirmed by Sportando.
The Nets are still in the search for a backup center, and must not have been interested in retaining Williams for a veteran’s minimum. Williams started 35 games for the team last season,averaging 4.6 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.
Personally, I appreciated Shelden Williams’ contributions to the Nets last season. He was a hustler in the Kris Humphries mold, but lacked in the “basketball-related abilities.” Bringing him back simply wasn’t necessary. He’s never gotten over the hump of being better than a backup. I wish him well on his new venture in France.
This move does still leave the Nets in search of a backup center, but I think that they are traveling down the “don’t need one” route. It certainly would be possible to rotate Humphries/Teletovic/Evans/Greene into that role. The search could ramp up if Brook Lopez goes down with injury.
For now, though, we can all cross off a Shelden Williams return in Brooklyn.
