As expected, Deron Williams has officially decided not to pick up his player option for the 2012/13 season, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News (via Twitter). The decision means that Williams will hit unrestricted free agency this weekend, and will be eligible for a maximum salary of about $17.18MM, rather than the $17.78MM his option was worth, as I outlined here.
Here are a few more updates on this summer's top free agent:
According to Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld, the general consensus around the league is that Ray Allen will join the Heat next year (Twitter link). Since the team will be about $2MM above the tax apron, the most that Miami would be able to offer would be the mini-mid level exception of $3MM. Here's more of tonight's miscellaneous links, including Tyreke Evans, Baron Davis, and the Bulls…
While optimists in Dallas believe that the chances of signing Deron Williams are 50-50, Ken Berger of CBS Sports writes that the Mavericks are becoming increasingly worried that their prized free agent target will re-sign with the Nets. On Sunday, we mentioned that Brooklyn can offer a $100 MM extension over five years, whereas Dallas can offer $75 MM over four. Here are more of this evening's rumblings out of the Atlantic Division…
The Rockets appear to be stockpiling assets in an effort to make a run at Dwight Howard via trade and Deron Williams via free agency. But would Williams be open to signing with the Rockets? A recent report suggested that he has narrowed his options to the Nets and Mavericks, and SI.com's Sam Amick hears from a source close to Williams that even if the Rockets acquired Howard, Houston is not likely to be added to D-Will's free agent wish list.
When the Rockets and Timberwolves agreed to swap Chase Budinger for a first-round draft pick this morning, the T-Wolves' motives were clear, as Budinger gives the team a perimeter shooting threat it has lacked in recent years. For the Rockets though, the deal looked like the first in a series of bigger moves. We've heard that Houston is targeting Dwight Howard, or perhaps Josh Smith, but what exactly is the next step for GM Daryl Morey and the Rockets? Here's the latest from Sam Amick of SI.com and from Bill Ingram and Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld….
The Rockets hold the unfortunate distinction of being the last team to fail to make the playoffs for three consecutive seasons. Not terrible, but not quite ready for the biggest of stages, the Rockets will turn to general manager Daryl Morey this offseason to make the necessary moves that will hopefully turn Houston into a legitimate contender for the long term, not just next season. Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle explores how the Rockets may get past mediocrity as they face uncertainty heading into free agency.
Nets point guard Deron Williams has narrowed down the list of potential teams he will sign with this summer to include Brooklyn and the Mavs, reports Marc Stein of ESPN.com. The former Jazz star will become a free agent at midnight July 1 and has drawn attention from countless teams across the league. Williams, however, has instructed his representatives to inform teams that contact him that he will either re-sign with the Nets or return home to Dallas to play for the Mavs. The Nets can offer Williams a five-year, $100MM extension whereas the Mavs are limited to presenting the All-Star guard with a four-year, $75MM deal.
The latest news and notes on the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday evening:
Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News has a new column focusing on Miami Heat president Pat Riley, who is attempting to build a new dynasty in Miami following the team's NBA Finals victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday. Here are the highlights of the column:
This summer's free agent class has something in common with the draft class — it's not obvious who the second-best available player will be, but everyone knows which guy will be the top choice. In the draft, that's Anthony Davis, while in free agency, it's Deron Williams. We know Davis is ticketed for New Orleans, but where will Williams land? ESPN.com's Chris Broussard shares a few updates on this year's top free agent in his latest Insider-only piece, so let's dive in….