Deron Williams says signing with the Cavs was the ‘best fit for me’

According to new Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Deron Williams, picking a new home was simple.

"At the end of the day, I just felt like this was the best fit for me," Williams said moments after the team officially announced that he had signed. "It was a team that showed interest in the offseason in signing me and one -- I think my name was thrown around all season and so I know a lot of the guys on the team, you know playing with LeBron [James] in the Olympics.

"I played with Kyle [Korver], and he's one of my good friends and we still talk. I just feel like I'll be comfortable here. I'll have a significant role here, with the need for a backup for Kyrie [Irving] and also being able to play with Kyrie. We get a chance to play together and of course competing for a championship is something that I haven't had a chance to do."

Williams, who will wear No. 31 with the Cavs, said that the Mavericks informed him over the weekend that he was going to be waived. Cleveland has signed him to the veterans minimum for rest of the season, which will cost the $900,000.

"It was kind of an easy decision for me, I think," said Williams, who averaged 13.1 points and 6.9 assists with Dallas. "I definitely looked at a couple other teams. But once Dallas informed me they kind of wanted to go in a different direction, the Cavs were the first team that jumped out at me. A lot of times you overthink things. I kind of went with my first thought."

The Cavs also sung with praises, with LeBron James citing Williams’ ‘automatic leadership’, experience as star player with two franchises and his time with Team USA as reasons the team is excited to have him.

“He's played in big games before so you know he won't shy away in the moment,” James said. “And he can knock down shots and he can play-make."

Williams is expected to make his debut Wednesday when the Cavaliers take on the Boston Celtics at the start of a three-game road trip.