CLEVELAND -- Jayson Williams, acquitted in April of
aggravated manslaughter in the shooting death of a limousine
driver, worked out with the Cleveland Cavaliers this week.
The 6-foot-10 forward retired from the New Jersey Nets in 2000
after career-ending leg and knee injuries.
"He wants to play," said Cavaliers coach Paul Silas, who spent
three seasons with Williams when he was an assistant with the Nets.
"We worked him out a little bit, and he can still play. He can
certainly help somebody."
Silas said he did not know whether Cleveland would sign Williams, who worked out in Cleveland on Thursday.
Williams, 36, was acquitted of aggravated manslaughter but found
guilty of covering up the fatal shooting of a hired driver at his
mansion in February 2002. The jury deadlocked on a reckless
manslaughter count, and Williams is scheduled to be retried Jan.
10.
Williams will not be sentenced until the remaining charge is
settled. The possible sentences run from probation to about five
years in prison on the cover-up charge, and 10 years on the
reckless manslaughter charge.
Williams was an All-Star in 1997-98, when he averaged 13.6
rebounds. During his nine-year career, Williams averaged 7.3 points
and 7.5 rebounds.