"Small forward Reggie Williams will be signed for the rest of the season, the Warriors are expected to announce today.

The Warriors don't have an available spot on the roster right now, but they should Monday, as they plan to waive guard Raja Bell and sign Williams to a guaranteed contract. General manager Larry Riley chose to release Bell rather than forward Devean George.

"I just can't cut a healthy player," Riley said. "And Devean George has played well."

Bell, acquired from the Charlotte Bobcats in the Stephen Jackson trade Nov. 15, endorsed the move to waive him rather than George.

Bell played one game with the Warriors before having surgery in December to repair a torn ligament in his left hand. He could have come back for the last couple of games but said he didn't want to return too soon and jeopardize his career. Bell said even if he had been waived on time to join another team's postseason roster, he wouldn't have gone.

"I completely understand," Bell said in a phone interview. "If nothing else, I consider myself a professional. I never want to come off as a spoiled, coddled, NBA player. The fact is, I'm not playing this year."

The Warriors need bodies because of their rash of injuries, and George has been in the regular rotation. He provides a steady outside shot and has guarded some of the elite scorers the Warriors face.

Because of George's contributions, Riley said it would've been tough to cut him. Riley said if Bell would have been unhappy about being waived, the Warriors might have had to find a different way to make room for Williams. Riley said the Warriors want to sign Bell in the offseason, and the player said he would definitely consider coming back."