Blazers sign veteran guard Mo Williams

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Portland Trail Blazers see guard Mo Williams as more than just a backup to Damian Lillard.

”You can look at me as a sixth starter,” said the veteran free agent who was formally signed Thursday to a two-year deal.

Williams has played 10 seasons in the NBA with stops in Milwaukee, Cleveland, the Clippers and Utah, averaging 13.8 points, 2.9 rebounds and 5 assists. Last season with the Jazz, the 6-foot-1 Williams averaged 12.9 points, 2.4 rebounds and 6.2 assists but he was hampered by surgery on his right thumb that sidelined him for two months.

He will wear No. 7, Brandon Roy‘s former number, for the Blazers. He views himself as a ”piece of the puzzle” in Portland.

”I’m going into the 11th year in my career. I am who I am,” he said. ”The player you saw last year and the player you saw the year before – I’m not going to diminish.”