FanHouse Jason Williams

ORLANDO -- When the Orlando Magic signed out-of-work Jason Williams this summer to a one-year, minimum wage contract, they made it sound like he was coming merely to be an insurance policy, giving them a past-his-prime, third point guard in case the bottom fell out on the other two.

He's obviously going to be more, a lot more for a real good team.

Williams, 33, is no longer the flashy, wrap-around-passing entertainer he was earlier in his career in Sacramento, but he looks refreshed and ready to play at a high level once again, adding another strong weapon to the defending Eastern Conference champs.

A year off certainly did him well.

It's not easy to reach the NBA Finals as the Eastern Conference champs, bolster the roster with another All-Star, and still open training camp next month talking about being overlooked.

Magic coach Stan Van Gundy is going to try.

Van Gundy intended to talk Thursday about the recent addition of veteran point guard Jason Williams, but he couldn't help veering into the perceived slights his team has received this summer as it got overshadowed by the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Orlando Magic sent Rafer Alston to New Jersey earlier this summer because they didn't want a point guard controversy brewing this season.

They are going to have one now. It's only a matter of time.

By signing veteran point guard Jason Williams – a starter for the 2006 NBA champion Miami Heat – the Magic have opened the door to a world of late-game second guessing, especially if starter Jameer Nelson can't deliver consistently and keep the Magic atop the Eastern Conference standings.

Jason Williams may get his wish after all.

Williams, the veteran point guard who sat out last season after announcing his retirement and then changing his mind, has been trying to work his way back into the league this summer.

He worked out for teams earlier this month in Memphis and New York, and Tuesday he worked out for the Magic in Orlando, which is where he has been making his offseason home.

In order for Mike D'Antoni to fully implement his vision, he needs a talented point guard -- and as a wise man jilted teenager once said, "Chris Duhon ain't getting it done." After watching the most talented free agent point guards either re-sign with their original teams (Jason Kidd, Mike Bibby) or commit elsewhere (Andre Miller), the Knicks are left to sift through the bargain bin.

On Wednesday, that entailed meeting with Jamaal Tinsley, who's so eager to reunite with Donnie Walsh, his former boss in Indiana, that he'd sign a one-year deal worth the veteran's minimum. The Knicks have also shown interest in the recently unretired Jason Williams, who'd also likely settle for a one-year deal, and Walsh has met with Allen Iverson's agent, although nothing is expected to come of that.

Point guard Jason Williams, who is trying to return to the NBA after a self-imposed, one-year retirement, will be in Memphis this weekend for a meeting and a workout with the Grizzlies.

Williams, 33, is expected to formally clear waivers Thursday, making him an unrestricted free agent and available to any team in the league. The Clippers, who had signed him to a contract a year ago before he retired, waived their exclusive right to him last week.

The Knicks also have shown interest in Williams, according to NBA sources. Williams, who last played for the Miami Heat (2005-2008), has been working out in Orlando, where he makes his off-season home.

The above video of Chicago Bears rookie Jarron Gilbert jumping out of a pool has been viewed on YouTube more than a million times and given Gilbert something of a cult following. Now another rookie, Jason Williams of the Cowboys, is saying on Twitter that he can do it, too.

Who moved to the head of the NFL class during the draft? Find out with FanHouse's team-by-team 2009 Draft Grades.

Jerry Jones might be a little eccentric, but the guy can spot talent. When it isn't top picks like Troy Aikman or Emmitt Smith coming to the Cowboys, it is undrafted guys like Tony Romo or late third-round guys like Jason Witten. Even Patrick Crayton in the seventh round was a success for Dallas.

This year, the Cowboys traded down, but didn't really snag anyone that is going to blow your hair back. Jason Williams of Western Illinois is a player that might see some time for Dallas this season. In college, Williams was a fumble-forcing machine, knocking loose six his senior seasons.

Newsmakers in the NHL is a weekday morning attempt to clear yesterday's rebounds and look to the day ahead.

Blue Jackets 4, Blackhawks 3: Banner night for the Columbus Blue Jackets, as their 4-3 shootout win over the Chicago Blackhawks clinched the first ever playoff berth in the in the eight-year existence of the franchise. It's been a long time coming, but congratulations Columbus, you're officially on the NHL map.

The New Jersey Devils added to their blue line on Monday afternoon, acquiring defenseman Niclas Havelid from the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for 24-year-old defenseman Anssi Salmela, as reported by TSN. And with that, the madness leading up to Wednesday's trade deadline has begun.

Havelid, 35, is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent following the season, and has recorded two goals and 13 assists in 63 games for Atlanta.