Utah Jazz to waive Vince Williams Jr. after ACL injury
Mar 9, 2026, 2:59 PM | Updated: 3:04 pm
Utah Jazz head coach Will Hardy talks with guard Vince Williams Jr. (0) (Credit: Isaac Hale, Deseret News)
(Credit: Isaac Hale, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz plan to waive Vince Williams Jr. after the guard suffered a season-ending ACL injury on February 23 in a loss to the Houston Rockets.
Williams Jr., 25, was acquired in the Jaren Jackson Jr. blockbuster trade.
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I can confirm the @utahjazz plan to waive Vince Williams Jr.
Williams Jr. suffered an ACL injury earlier this season against the Houston Rockets, and had a non-guaranteed contract this summer.
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) March 9, 2026
Utah Jazz to waive Vince Williams Jr.
Williams Jr. tore his ACL midway through the second quarter of the Jazz’s loss to the Rockets after Houston wing Tari Eason pushed the guard during a fast break.
The guard collapsed immediately, holding his knee in front of the Jazz’s bench, and was carried off the court by members of the team’s security.
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Officials failed to call a foul on Eason, resulting in an open layup for Eason and the Rockets.
Eason was not punished for his role in the injury.
Williams Jr. will become an unrestricted free agent
The injury ends Williams Jr.’s tenure with the Jazz, which lasted only five games.
Utah acquired the guard with John Konchar and Jock Landale in the Jackson Jr. trade, adding a veteran defender to the team’s inexperienced backcourt.
The Jazz could have picked up Williams Jr.’s $2.5 million team option next season, but that option changed due to the severity of his injury and his timeline to return to the floor.
What can the young players on the @utahjazz still prove to close the season?
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— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) March 9, 2026
With Jackson Jr. on the roster and center Walker Kessler expected to get a big contract offer this summer, the Jazz will have limited salary cap space to fill out the remainder of their roster, potentially hurting Williams Jr.’s chances of sticking with the team.
The 25-year-old averaged 5.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in five appearances with the Jazz this season.
Williams Jr. will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Next Utah Jazz broadcast
The Jazz will host the Golden State Warriors on Monday at 7 p.m. MST. The game will be televised on KJZZ, streamed on Jazz+, and heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone.
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Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops, on Instagram @BensHoops, or on BlueSky.
