Deron Williams is the latest Maverick to inform the team of his decision to opt out, reports ESPN’s Marc Stein (Twitter link). Chandler Parsons and Dirk Nowitzki have also told the Mavs that they’re turning down their respective player options to sign new contracts.
[RELATED: Player option decisions for 2016/17]
We heard back in April that Williams intended to opt out of his contract this summer in order to seek a multiyear deal. At that time, reports indicated that the team and player had mutual interest in working out a new agreement that would allow Williams to return to Dallas. Once July 1st arrives, however, other teams will have the opportunity to make their own pitches to the veteran point guard.
Williams, who turns 32 on Sunday, appeared in 65 regular-season contests for the Mavericks in 2015/16, averaging 14.1 points, 5.8 assists, and 2.9 rebounds in 32.4 minutes per game. While those numbers aren’t close to the ones Williams put up during his heyday in Utah, Mavs president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson pointed to what he saw as a renewed sense of enthusiasm in the point guard’s play this past season.
Williams’ player option for 2016/17 would have paid him $5,621,026, but with the cap on the rise, there’s a very good chance he’ll be able to surpass that salary on the open market, and he should be able to lock in a deal for more than one year as well.
My Nets need a PG and we should try to sign him.
Been there done that! He’s a selfish player who’s just a mere she’ll of his former self. Good riddance as don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
Neither the nets or him should make that mistake again haha. But he’s better of staying with the Mavs, in Dallas his hometown where he probably would receive the most support where as if he does decide to take the biggest contract and ends up not living upto it again he will just flare out once more. Obviously the latter is more likely but also depends on what kinda team the Mavs will even put together. In my opinion those 3 of the Mavs that opt out aren’t even good enough themselves to compete in the west and obviously Williams and parsons are looking for raises which doesn’t make sense for the Mavs but then again none of them want to stick around for a rebuild(understandably). The Mavs should seriously just consider rebuilding, if there not getting KD or Lebron then there’s no other FA worth it. Save up your money and actually participate in the draft for a change and wait when a better FA class is out that way you can sign 2 superstars and develop a lottery pick…