Jason Williams Denied Reinstatement
Feb 28, 2009 6:58 AM EST
Former NBA guard Jason Williams, who signed with the Clippers in the off season and then retired voluntarily, has been denied reinstatement by the NBA, ESPN.com is reporting.
League bylaws state that players wishing to return from the voluntary retirement list need unanimous approval from all 30 teams to avoid a one-year mandatory waiting period. According to ballot results obtained Friday, Williams' request was denied by a vote of 24-6.
But Williams' agent, Dan Tobin, told ESPN.com that the 10-year veteran plans to return to the league next season after sitting out the required 365 days.
"We anticipated this decision," Tobin said. "So did Jason. But we look forward to seeing Jason back in the NBA in the 2009-10 season.
"One of the reasons we applied for reinstatement now was that we'd like to try to accelerate the process of him coming back. That will now be discussed between the league and the players' association."
It is believed that Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Minnesota, San Antonio and the Clippers were the teams who voted against letting Williams back in.
According to ESPN, the Clippers would have regained exclusive rights to the 33-year-old had he been reinstated. One suggested motivation for teams blocking Williams' return is the assumption that he would have quickly parted ways with L.A. after reinstatement and signed with a playoff contender for this season's stretch run.
the dude retired and decides he wants to play again and the NBA denied him? why the f ck would teams deny him reinstatement? this is some straight bullsh t. nba needs to close up shop - the league is terrible.
