Williams begs Cavs to keep him in town
6/24/2010CLEVELAND - Mo Williams says that Cleveland has become his home and he doesn't want to leave.
With trade rumors swirling over the last several weeks, the Cavaliers guard got proactive yesterday via his Twitter feed by requesting not to be traded to his more than 54,000 followers.
"I'm not ready to go," Williams wrote. "I'm begging. My work ain't done yet. I'm on both knees."
Multiple league executives have said the Cavs have had some trade talks with Williams but they are not looking to trade him, just to get a feel for his value if they decide to make a move.
In an interview from his San Diego-area home yesterday afternoon, Williams said the trade rumors have been giving him some stress.
"It has been bothering me, it is a little nerve-wracking and frustrating," Williams said. "Especially from the simple fact that you don't want to leave. But there's a lot of things going on with the team, and you never know what is going to happen. It is something you can't control, and it is part of the business."
Williams said he has not been in contact with the organization, but he's gotten a steady stream of calls as rumors have spread. Recently he's been linked to the Portland Trail Blazers and Sacramento Kings. But league sources indicate the Cavs aren't close to any deal for Williams and instead have been much more active in Delonte West trade talks.
"I have my heart in the city and the organization, and I don't want to leave," Williams said. "You can look at it from both sides. Other teams want you, so that is good, but I love Cleveland."
Williams averaged 15.8 points and 5.3 assists during his second season with the Cavs this year. His shots were reduced by the arrival of Shaquille O'Neal and Antawn Jamison, but he said he had a good season. He was inconsistent in the playoffs, however, for a second consecutive season.
"You look back and you think you could have done more and you wish you could have done better," Williams said. "But we're competing for a championship, we're getting better, and I want to be a part of this thing for the long run."
The question is whether Williams' friend, LeBron James, will be there for the long run.
"We all feel confident that Cleveland is his primary destination and that he's going to stay with us," Williams said. "We're all crossing our fingers that he'll come out on July 1 and say he's coming back and sign on the dotted line as soon as possible and not prolong it."