Converge Should Reconsider Trading for Mikey Williams
Mikey Williams has officially left the Philippines and returned to Los Angeles with no PBA deal in place. His attempts to reconnect with TNT and discuss his situation were met with silence, as neither Manny V. Pangilinan nor Chot Reyes entertained a meeting with him. The two-time PBA champion reportedly stayed in Manila for nearly a month after his stint with Strong Group Athletics in the Dubai Invitational Tournament, hoping for a resolution.
Despite his clear willingness to mend fences, TNT appears unwilling to engage. The franchise continues to sit on Williams’ PBA rights, leaving him with no immediate path back into the league. While this saga unfolds, Converge’s pursuit of Williams also came to an abrupt halt, as the FiberXers ultimately chose to sign Jackson Corpuz instead.
Converge’s Decision: A Missed Opportunity?
According to reports, Converge was relentless in its pursuit of Mikey Williams and had been prepared to meet TNT’s trade demands. However, negotiations eventually fizzled, and over the weekend, Converge announced the signing of Jackson Corpuz—a solid but unspectacular move that filled their need for a forward but left their backcourt issues unresolved.
From a basketball standpoint, this raises questions about Converge’s priorities. There is no doubt that the FiberXers need a reliable forward, especially after the departure of Abu Tratter and Tyrus Hill last season. But at the same time, their backcourt lacks a legitimate star who can create offense at an elite level.
Currently, Converge relies on a guard rotation that includes RK Ilagan, Alec Stockton, and Adrian Wong—all serviceable players, but none with the offensive firepower of Williams. While the team has young talent, they still lack a true franchise cornerstone who can lift them into contention. Williams, a former PBA Finals MVP and an elite scorer, could have been that guy.
TNT’s Stance: Why Is Williams Still in Limbo?
TNT’s refusal to entertain Williams’ return is perplexing, especially considering their current struggles. The Tropang Giga are currently in the PBA Finals against Barangay Ginebra, but through two games, their offensive struggles have been glaring.
TNT has shot just 37.7% from the field and 29.8% from three, struggling to generate consistent offense. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson has carried a heavy load, but Mikey Williams’ absence is clearly felt. If the team is struggling so much offensively, why continue to sit on the rights of a player who could have helped them?
It begs the question: Is TNT blackballing Mikey Williams? Are they making trade demands that are too steep for any team to realistically meet? Or are they simply refusing to allow him back into the league, even if it means getting nothing in return?
What Should Converge Do Now?
The reality is, Mikey Williams remains available, and if Converge is truly serious about taking the next step, they should reconsider making a stronger push for him. Jackson Corpuz was a necessary signing, but he does not change the team’s ceiling. Williams, on the other hand, is a franchise-altering talent who could instantly make the FiberXers a more dangerous team.
At the very least, Converge should explore whether TNT’s asking price can be negotiated down. If they could acquire Williams for a reasonable package, it would be a move worth making. The FiberXers have been in a rebuilding phase for two years now, but at some point, they need to make a big splash to move forward.
Final Thoughts
The situation between Mikey Williams and TNT remains unresolved, and Converge may have walked away too soon. While they addressed a frontcourt need with Corpuz, they still lack a star guard, and Williams is the best option they could realistically get.
If Converge wants to compete with the top teams, they need to take calculated risks. Passing on Mikey Williams might be a mistake they regret if they fail to find another dynamic scorer in the near future.
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