Storm, Williams agree to rest-of-season contract

The Seattle Storm and forward Gabby Williams agreed to a rest-of-season contract, the team announced Tuesday. The deal comes after Williams led the French national team in points (15.5) and assists (2.3) en route to earning a silver medal at the Paris Olympics and nearly defeating the Americans.

Williams, 27, played a career-low 10 games for the Storm last season, but her 8.4 points and 3.8 assists are career bests. The UConn product was selected by the Chicago Sky as the No. 4 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, where she spent the first three seasons of her career.

“I’m so excited to be joining the Storm for the rest of the season,” Williams said in a statement. “I feel more than ready to finally return to Seattle. I’ve missed the organization, my teammates and the fans so much. I absolutely can’t wait to come back and finish the season strong.”

Seattle coach Noelle Quinn appears to be equally excited to have Williams back with the Storm.

“We’re thrilled to have Gabby back with the Storm,” Quinn said. “Gabby is a dynamic player who brings tremendous versatility. She’s a two-way player that can guard multiple positions and has a strong offensive game; given her familiarity with our system, we know she can have an immediate impact.

“Gabby’s Olympic performance showcased her world-class talent, and we’re excited to have her join us as we push for the playoffs.”

Why is this happening now?

Seattle has been carefully hoarding cap space for the last month or so, keeping a full-time roster of 10 players while cycling Kiana Williams through a series of seven-day contracts. That gives the Storm with just enough cap room today to sign Williams to a pro-rated veteran minimum deal for the remainder of the season.

Had Williams opted not to re-join Seattle, the Storm would have had the option to search for an upgrade via trade before the WNBA trade deadline’s Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET.

What Williams brings to Storm

Williams had an outstanding tournament at the Paris Olympics and has shined in European play, but she will be asked to hold a different role in Seattle.

With Skylar Diggins-Smith at point, Williams will have to play more off ball. The spacing could get complicated for a career 24.8 percent 3-point shooter on a team that is already the worst in the league from long range.

It’s unclear if she’ll even start since the Storm’s starting five of Diggins-Smith, Jewell Loyd, Jordan Horston, Nneka Ogwumike and Ezi Magbegor is outscoring opponents by 12.5 points per 100 possessions. What Williams does bring, no matter if she’s starting or off the bench, is supplementary creation combined with dynamite perimeter defense.

She was an all-defense selection with a 2.13 assist-to-turnover ratio in her last full WNBA season in 2022 when Seattle lost to eventual champion Las Vegas in the postseason semifinals. The Storm will need better shooting out of Loyd and Sami Whitcomb to keep Williams on the court, but there’s little risk to bringing her in at this point of the season when the player she’s replacing wasn’t a part of the rotation.

Williams is familiar with Loyd, Magbegor and Quinn, and is comfortable on the biggest stages.

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(Photo: Sarah Stier / Getty Images)