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The New Jersey Nets have signed free agent guard Jay Williams, Nets President Rod Thorn announced today. As per club policy, terms of the deal were not released. InsideHoops.com hears it's a short-term, nonguaranteed contract.

Originally drafted with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls, Williams averaged 9.5 points, 4.7 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.15 steals in 75 contests during the 2002-03 season. Following his rookie campaign, in which he was named to the NBA’s All-Rookie Second Team, Williams sustained severe leg and hip injuries in a motorcycle accident and has not appeared in an NBA contest since.

The 6-2 Williams spent three seasons at Duke (’00-’02) where he helped lead the Blue Devils to a NCAA men’s basketball championship in 2001 and was named the Wooden award winner in 2002.

InsideHoops.com Editor Says: I'm told it's a nonguaranteed contract for little money. So, Williams isn't a lock to make the Nets. He'd make a good third point guard behind Jason Kidd and Marcus Williams. Jay still hasn't fully regained his athletic ability of past years. Perhaps he never will. I assume that while he's around, Jay is third string behind Marcus Williams and will have to prove himself in practice. Though, an alternate viewpoint would be that the Nets should test Jay as quickly as possible in game situations to see if he's worth keeping around. No need to test Marcus right away, as he's around for years.

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