MINNEAPOLIS: Cavaliers guard Mo Williams traveled to New York during Thursday’s off day to receive a second opinion on his sore right thumb, a league source confirmed. Williams missed a week in December after reaggravating a thumb that has twice needed surgery to repair ligament damage.
Dr. Michelle Carlson, who practices in New York, performed both procedures — first in 2008 and again in 2013. Williams posted a picture to his Instagram account Thursday of a framed photo of him standing next to Carlson with the caption, “Best hand specialist in the world. New York weather off the chain today.”
Williams had pins inserted in the thumb during the previous procedures and has limited dexterity as a result, but he told the Beacon Journal last month he did not believe this injury was as serious as the two previous times he needed surgery.
Williams missed two months after surgery in 2013. The first surgery was performed following the 2007-08 season.
“This one isn’t as bad,” Williams said last month, comparing it to when he reinjured the thumb three years ago. He compared it this time to having a thigh bruise and then getting hit on the same spot again.
Williams has fallen out of the rotation with the return of Kyrie Irving, although it’s unclear now if the thumb was also a factor. He has not played in either of the Cavs’ two most recent games and only played during garbage time of last week’s blowout victory against the Orlando Magic.
The Cavs remained in Washington following Wednesday’s win against the Wizards, then flew Thursday to Minneapolis. They will face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.
Cunningham safe
Jared Cunningham has beaten the odds. Cunningham will remain with the Cavs through the Jan. 10 date for all contracts to be guaranteed, one source said.
Cunningham’s deal, worth less than $1 million, will actually cost the Cavs more than $4 million in salary and cap penalties. When he made the team out of camp, team officials believed it was only temporary and he would likely be waived prior to the Jan. 10 guarantee date.
But Cunningham, still only 24, has played well in spurts and has proven he can defend on the perimeter. He has appeared in 27 games for the Cavs, averaging 3.4 points. LeBron James has also taken a liking to Cunningham, which is never a bad thing.
The Cavs decided weeks ago they wanted to keep Cunningham, according to one source with knowledge of the team’s plans, but Joe Harris’ recent foot injury complicated matters.
The Cavs have been trying for weeks to trade Harris and his guaranteed deal of roughly $850,000, but Harris has barely played with the Cavs and struggled to make shots during his time in the Development League. ESPN reported Harris could be facing season-ending surgery to have an extra bone removed from his right foot, which will further complicate his trade value.
This is the final guaranteed year on Harris’ rookie contract. He has a team option for next season worth slightly less than $1 million.
The Cavs would still like to have an open roster spot going into the trade deadline to give them the flexibility to add a player who has his contract bought out by another team, which is how they obtained Kendrick Perkins last season. The only viable path to that right now seems to be trading Harris.
All-Star update
Irving strengthened his hold on second place in All-Star voting among guards in voting released Thursday. Irving has 271,094 votes, which places him comfortably ahead of Toronto’s Kyle Lowry (242,276). Irving led Lowry by about 10,000 votes in results released on Christmas Day.
James continues to lead all Eastern Conference players, leaving the strong possibility the Cavs get three players to the All-Star game for the first time in team history. Kevin Love dropped from sixth to seventh among frontcourt players, but remains a strong candidate to be added as a reserve. Irving’s best chance of going is as a starter after missing so many games to injury.
The Cavs hold the best record in the East. The Atlanta Hawks, who held the best record in the East at last season’s All-Star break, sent four players to the game — all reserves.
Jason Lloyd can be reached at jlloyd@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Cavs blog at www.ohio.com/cavs. Follow him on Twitter www.twitter.com/JasonLloydABJ.