CHICAGO - As it entered negotiations to sign Mikey Willliams to a deal, Converge knew that it had one hand tied behind its back.
Because all the gifts the basketball gods bestowed on the former TNT star also came with glaring wrinkles. He is mercurial, stubborn and unpredictable.
Unable to re-sign him after protracted, often frustrating negotiations in the space of 26 months, the Tropang 5G finally gave up and traded Williams' rights to Converge last June in a blockbuster swap that headlined Jordan Heading.
READ Delta tempers expectations after Converge's strong preseason run
Soon after, the FiberXers leaned on Strong Group Athletics (SGA) billionaire owner Frank Lao as special consultant. A global wheeler and dealer with several business interests across different countries, Lao relished the challenge of dragging Mikey back to a league he once crushed as a two-time champion and two-time Finals MVP.
But catching the big tuna, which required turning risk into possibility, proved formidable.
After 17 weeks of on-and-off talks, it now appears that Mikey won't be suiting up in the upcoming Philippine Cup conference which ushers in PBA Season 50 beginning this Sunday.
MAXED OUT.
Converge put together a generous one-year offer that stretched their budget as an independent team, but Williams wouldn't come down on his reported asking price of north of $26,000 a month including perks and bonuses, a source with knowledge of the situation told me on Tuesday.
It's unclear if the FiberXers will continue to pursue Williams beyond this conference. They can only bend their backs so much without breaking the spine.
GAME CHANGER.
There is, however, sufficient cause to go after the 6-foot-2, 190-lb guard.
On one hand, Williams will always be an attractive asset, a knockdown shooter with cojones the size of basketballs. He is the talent equivalent of an import.
On the other hand, he turns 34 in 27 days. And except for a brief stint with SGA this past January in Dubai where he showed only a fleeting glimpse of his former greatness, Mikey hasn't participated in any other pro league since leaving the PBA in April of 2023.
But then again, a Mercedes Benz is still a Benz regardless of make, model and mileage.
Still, with the stars on their roster, a new coach in Dennis "Delta" Pienda, and an excellent front office, the FiberXers have what it takes to win a title.
Maybe it's time to focus on what they have instead of wasting more time and energy chasing a pipe dream.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
