Cavs insider believes new assistant coach Jawad Williams could oversee Evan Mobley’s development

In a full-circle moment, Jawad Williams has joined head coach Kenny Atkinson’s staff on the Cleveland Cavaliers in an assistant role after he spent the full length of his NBA playing career in a Cavaliers uniform. He played three seasons in Cleveland from the 2008-09 season through the 2010-11 campaign.

This isn’t his first opportunity coaching at the highest level, though. Last season, Williams was an assistant coach with the Sacramento Kings and simultaneously served as their director of player development.

Cleveland’s decision to add Williams to the coaching staff comes not long after the Phoenix Suns poached Jordan Ott from Atkinson’s staff and hired him to be their newest head coach.

“Everybody knows Jordan Ott was huge when it came to player development,” Cleveland.com reporter Chris Fedor explained. “The Phoenix Suns pointed that out in their press release when they hired Jordan, and the work that he did with Evan Mobley.”

Fedor believes Williams could play a major role in the development of Mobley moving forward.

“I would not be surprised if Jawad becomes the person that oversees the development of Evan Mobley,” Fedor said.

Mobley showcased a lot of development in his fourth season in the NBA, as he is on the heels of the best season of his career. He won the Defensive Player of the Year award and was named an All-Star for the first time in his pro career in the 2024-25 regular season. He averaged 18.5 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game across 71 appearances with Cleveland.

However, it’s possible he still hasn’t scratched the surface of his full potential, even for as great a player as he already is.

After all, Mobley just turned 24 years old this month.

Maybe Williams’ presence will prove to be just what the doctor ordered for Mobley to take that next step as a player on the offensive end of the floor. Mobley has yet to average 20-plus points per game in a single season in his NBA career, but that’s a goal he and Williams should shoot for next season, as he has the skill set necessary to score the ball at that level.

With any luck, Williams will fill the hole left by Ott’s departure from the Cavaliers’ coaching staff and aid Mobley in his development for years to come.