PORTLAND, Ore. -- 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 Roys former number, for the Blazers. He views himself as a "piece of the puzzle" in Portland. "Im 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 -- Im not going to diminish." The Jazz, 22-24 with Williams in the lineup, finished 43-39 and just out of the final Western Conference playoff spot. Many of the players on that team were free agents, including Al Jefferson, who was signed to a three-year, $40.5 million deal by the Charlotte Bobcats, and Paul Millsap, who signed a two-year, $19 million deal with the Atlanta Hawks. Terms of Williams contract with the Trail Blazers were not released, but it was reported to be a two-year deal worth $5.6 million, with a player option for the second year. Williams, who will be 31 in December, was one of the last major unrestricted free agents still available this summer. At seasons end, he had expressed a desire to return to the Jazz. But Portland came calling, and Williams previous relationships with general manager Neil Olshey and coach Terry Stotts facilitated the deal. Olshey said Williams allows the Blazers to give maximum effort on both sides of the floor. Last season Lillard, who won the leagues Rookie of the Year honours, played in all 82 games for Portland and led the league with 3,167 minutes. "I think were better today than we were," Olshey said. "Were not where we want to be yet, but were getting there." Williams signing brings Portlands roster to 15. Olshey said he doesnt foresee any more moves this summer. An All-Star in 2009, Williams was taken by Utah with the 47th overall pick in the 2003 draft out of Alabama. He returned to the Jazz last summer in the four-team deal that sent Lamar Odom to the Clippers "Im very excited to be back with Mo again," said Stotts, who coached Williams when both were in Milwaukee. "He adds versatility, scoring and veteran leadership to the team." Nike Air Max Canada Cheap . Brett Kulak and Jackson Houck of the Vancouver Giants were each charged with assault causing bodily harm on Aug. 18, according to the B.C. court services. Nike Air Max Canada Online . -- Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Alrdridge were again the go-to duo for the Trail Blazers against the Kings. http://www.airmaxcanada.com/ . -- Peyton Manning will have all of his wide receivers available for the first time in a month when the Denver Broncos begin their playoff run Jan. Cheap Air Max Outlet . The Montreal Canadiens announced on Friday that the veteran forward will return to the teams line-up on Saturday night when the Habs visit the Nashville Predators. Cheap Air Max Canada . "I wrote 36 on my sheet at the beginning of the game," the Cincinnati coach said, referring the yard line the ball would need to be snapped from. LOS ANGELES -- Not only is Clayton Kershaw set to begin a minor league rehab assignment this weekend, but outfielder Yasiel Puig is on his way back to the major leagues.Puig has been called up and will be with the Dodgers on Friday if travel goes well, sources told ESPNs Buster Olney.With major league rosters expanding to 40 on Thursday, the Los Angeles Dodgers?have recalled Puig from Triple-A Oklahoma City.On Wednesday, Dodgers manager?Dave Roberts said?Austin Barnes, Louis Coleman, Luis Avilan and Josh Ravin would be added immediately to the expanded roster this week. Roberts was unsure about Puig, who was demoted Aug. 2, one day after the club acquired outfielder Josh Reddick from the Oakland Athletics.Were still trying to figure out what is best for Yasiel, Roberts said Wednesday. Those are the names that initially will be here, but with Yasiel, that is still a possibility. But were still trying to figure out what is best for him and what is best for us.It might not have taken long for the Dodgers top brass to realize a right-handed bat such as Puigs is exactly what the team needs. TThe Dodgers have struggled against left-handed pitching this season and were nearly no-hit by San Francisco Giants lefty Matt Moore last week.ddddddddddddThrough Thursdays games, the Dodgers were last in the National League against left-handers in batting average (.218), on-base percentage (.297) and slugging percentage (.340).Puig is hitting .348 with four home runs and 12 RBIs in his Triple-A stint.?Meanwhile, Kershaw is headed to Single-A Rancho Cucamonga to continue his rehabilitation process from a back injury that has sidelined him since June 26, according to team president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman.Kershaw is expected to throw around 60 pitches and four or five innings for the Quakes, after throwing a two-inning simulated game earlier this week at Dodger Stadium. It was not specified what day Kershaw will pitch for Rancho Cucamonga.It is possible that Kershaw could return to the Dodgers on the next road trip, which starts Sept. 9 at Miami. ' ' '