After liberating themselves of Joe Johnson's enormous contract, the Atlanta Hawks have agreed to a multiyear contract with free agent guard Lou Williams.
According to ESPN, the Hawks are believed to be signing Williams to their $5 million midlevel exception.
Williams, an Atlanta area native, was originally drafted out of high school in the second round of the 2005 draft by the 76ers, opted out of the final year of his contract worth $5.3 million after talks with the 76ers broke down.
Williams, 25, finished only second to OKC Thunder guard James Harden in voting for the 2011-12 NBA Sixth Man Award. A versatile guard Williams can play point guard and shooting guard, led the76ers in scoring last season with 14.9 points in 26.3 minutes per game.
He also played a pivotal role in the Sixers pushing the Boston Celtics to a Game 7 in the second round of the playoffs and can take his playoff experience down south.
The Hawks deal can become official today, as all new contracts can be signed due to the NBA's moratorium being lifted.
"Happy to be apart of a team that's similar to the Sixers...Young, athletic, and hardworking," Williams posted on Twitter Tuesday evening.
Williams has primarily been a bench player for the 76ers, but is expected to assume a starting role with the Hawks.
