Report: Mo Williams interested in Cleveland return

The Cleveland Cavaliers' search for another ball handler and playmaker could return a familiar face to northeast Ohio, at least if Mo Williams has his way.

The veteran guard is reportedly "more than interested" in returning to Cleveland as an unrestricted free agent this summer, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer's Chris Haynes.

Citing a source close to the guard, Haynes reports that Williams is seeking a multi-year contract, with the Cavs and his current team, the Charlotte Hornets, atop his list of preferred teams.

While often chided for his shoot-first style of play, Williams had a quietly solid season between Charlotte and Minnesota.

The 32-year-old averaged 14.2 points - his highest scoring average in five years - 6.2 assists and 2.6 rebounds in 68 games with the Hornets and Timberwolves, posting a career-high assist percentage of 37.4, although his effective field goal percentage of 46.6 was certainly a downfall.

Williams signed a one-year contract worth $3,965,074 with the T-Wolves last summer, before a February trade shipped him to Charlotte. Cleveland's own financial commitments will likely see them only able to offer the taxpayer mid-level exception or the veteran's minimum.

An inefficient, shoot-first guard with limited defensive ability isn't usually the best way for a capped out team to spend the limited exceptions they're left with, but if the Cavs are looking for backcourt help, as expected, Williams' familiarity with LeBron James and the franchise as a whole could serve him well.

The Cavs are also said to be shopping Brendan Haywood's nonguaranteed contract for next season in their quest to upgrade a roster that came within two wins of an NBA championship, despite injuries to Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving.