LAS VEGAS – Derrick Williams was a surprise scratch from Thursday’s summer league game between the Sacramento Kings and Minnesota Timberwolves. According to head coach Michael Malone, this was part of the plan for the 23-year-old small forward.
“When I asked Derrick to play summer league, I told him going into it that ‘come out here, work all week in training camp, play the first three games or so and then maybe we’ll talk about shutting you down’,” the Kings head coach said after Thursday’s 14-point victory over Wolves.
Williams’ absence from the Kings comes on the heels of reignited trade rumors involving the fourth-year forward. ESPN.com reported yesterday that the Kings and Detroit Pistons have decided to revisit a trade scenario that would bring forward Josh Smith to Sacramento. Williams and veterans Jason Terry and Jason Thompson have been rumored pieces in a trade for the 28-year-old forward.
“Him not being here today or not playing today was something that we had talked about months ago,” Malone said of Williams’ departure from Las Vegas Summer League. “And has nothing to do (with) whatever may be out there in terms of all the rumors that are going on.”
In three games in Las Vegas, Williams averaged 12.3 points and 2.7 rebounds in 26.3 minutes per contest for the Kings.
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