Report: Nuggets claim Mo Williams off waivers

DENVER — Five days after acquiring and then waiving Mo Williams to get closer to the salary cap floor, the Nuggets have claimed the veteran point guard off waivers and plan to release him again, according to ESPN.com’s Marc Stein.

Williams, 34, along with cash considerations, was acquired from the Atlanta Hawks by Denver last week in exchange for the rights to 2005 second-round draft pick Cenk Akyol. The Nuggets, who sat approximately $10 million below the salary floor at the time, were looking to pay Williams’ salary this season in order to get $2.2 million closer to the $84.7 million cap floor.

Denver then released Williams and planned to sign Alonzo Gee to another 10-day contract into the vacant roster spot, but the Philadelphia 76ers claimed Williams off waivers for themselves. Philadelphia is also under the salary floor and like the Nuggets saw an opportunity to get closer to that number by paying Williams’ contract. The 76ers claimed Williams only to release him, mirroring Denver’s transaction before the Nuggets reportedly claimed him back today.

For now, the Nuggets, with Williams’ salary on their books, move to roughly $7.6 million below the floor, but Philadelphia or another team who’s still looking to add salary this season can claim him again if Denver eventually waives him, continuing the game of musical chairs.

This saga may continue until one team decides to commit a roster spot to Williams, who has not played a game this season and is likely retiring, for the rest of the year.

Stein reports that the Nuggets are expected to sign Gee to a second 10-day contract, after they eventually release Williams.