He played college basketball for the University of Memphis before being selected 17th overall in the 2006 NBA draft by the Indiana Pacers.

[citation needed] On October 10, 2008, Williams was traded to the Dallas Mavericks for Eddie Jones, two first-round draft picks and cash.

[5] Williams had his best season with New York, playing a key role off the bench for the team as the Knicks reached the 2011 NBA playoffs.

[citation needed] On December 15, 2011, the New Jersey Nets signed Williams to a two-year contract, beating the offer made by the New York Knicks.

[6] On March 15, 2012, the Nets traded Williams, Mehmet Okur, and a 2012 first-round draft pick to the Portland Trail Blazers for veteran small forward Gerald Wallace.

[15] On June 11, 2015, Williams was traded, along with Caron Butler, to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Ersan İlyasova.

[20] In January 2010, Williams was arrested in Memphis on felony drug charges for selling a codeine substance.

During the summer of 2010, Williams received training camp invitations from two teams: the New York Knicks and Charlotte Bobcats.

[22] On December 13, 2012, Williams was arrested again in Memphis on drug charges after a police officer smelled marijuana coming from a Porsche in a parking lot near a mall.

As of 2024, Williams is married to rapper and Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta cast member Jessica Dime.