Deron Williams Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Atlantic Rumors: Williams, Lopez, Raptors, Wilcox

April 27th, 2012 at 12:37pm CST by Luke Adams

Earlier today, we heard that Gerald Wallace will seek a multiyear guarantee this summer. Here's a few more items out of the Atlantic Division:

Deron Williams told reporters, including Andy Vasquez of the Bergen Record, that he hopes to sign a new contract before the Olympics, which will get underway in late July (Twitter link).
Brook Lopez "made it very clear" to the same group of reporters that he loves being a Net and hopes to re-sign with the team (Twitter link).
Doug Smith of the Toronto Star thinks the Raptors should trade their first-rounder if they don't land the first overall pick. He argues that the team will have a lottery pick arriving in Jonas Valanciunas, and would be better off with a veteran player rather than another rookie.
Chris Wilcox, recovering from heart surgery, was waived by the Celtics a few weeks ago, but plans to attend the team's playoff games against the Hawks. Wilcox told Jessica Camerato of CSNNE.com that he'd like to be a Celtic next season: "I want to finish what I’ve started here. I thought this was a great opportunity for me and things were working out well, and I went to the doctor to get a check up and things just changed."
Asked by Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times if he'd exercise his early termination option this summer, Lou Williams said he has yet to decide. John Mitchell of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported last weekend that the Sixers guard would opt out of his deal.

Poll: Will Deron Williams Remain With The Nets?

April 26th, 2012 at 7:39pm CST by Sean Highkin

Earlier today, Deron Williams discussed his tour of the Nets' new Barclays Center in Brooklyn, and hinted that there was a chance he would re-sign with the team this summer. While nothing will be certain until at least July 1, do you think Williams' name will be on the posters in Brooklyn next season?

Deron Williams Talks Arena, Brooklyn, Future

April 26th, 2012 at 5:27pm CST by Sean Highkin

Colin Stephenson of the Newark Star-Ledger reports that Nets point guard Deron Williams recently took a tour of the franchise's brand-new Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The free agent-to-be says he walked away impressed:

"It was great, it was great,'' Williams said of the new arena. "It’s definitely taking shape. It was looking nice, it’s going to be a special arena.''

Williams, expected to be the most coveted free agent of this summer's class, would not commit to re-signing with the Nets in the offseason, but he did not close the door on the possibility, either.

"I’ve got some big decisions to make,'' he said. "I think going to Brooklyn helped me see the vision again, so we’ll see what happens.''

Williams also mentioned that there were times during the season when he lost faith in the Nets' ability to contend in the future, although he's feeling more encouraged about that possibility now.

Atlantic Notes: Nets, Deron Williams, Sean Williams

April 23rd, 2012 at 8:14pm CST by Chuck Myron

The Nets are playing their final game in New Jersey tonight, against the Sixers, and many of the franchise's most prominent figures took part in a ceremony tonight, including Micheal Ray Richardson, Darryl Dawkins, Kenny Anderson and, via video, Jason Kidd. Here's the latest on the Nets of today, as well as other news from the division:

Nets CEO Brett Yormark talks about reasons why the franchise found the New Jersey market so difficult in a Q&A with Dave D'Alessandro of the Star-Ledger.
New Jersey governor Chris Christie had harsh words for the Nets upon their departure, saying "there will be no tears shed on my part," as Jenna Portnoy notes on NJ.com. The governor also tweeted a video of his comments (hat tip to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News).
Avery Johnson is optimistic Deron Williams will re-sign with the Nets, Bondy tweets, though the coach won't say why he feels that way.
Sean Williams was surprised to learn that the Celtics were interested in signing him, observes Peter May of ESPNBoston.com. Williams is looking to put his troubled past behind him, as A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com writes.

Odds & Ends: Heat, Benson, Pacers, Williams

April 22nd, 2012 at 12:37pm CST by Daniel Seco

The Knicks and Hawks are underway in Atlanta with Tyson Chandler receiving the afternoon off in hopes of getting himself healthier for the playoffs. In making his decision to give his center an opportunity to take a breathier, Knicks head coach Mike Woodson decided that there was little chance of catching the Magic for the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. With a full slate of Sunday NBA action ahead, let's first take a look around the league to catch up on the latest news and headlines.

Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel says the Heat should consider signing a point guard for the playoffs and cut Eddy Curry to make room on the roster. Winderman suggests Anthony Carter or Antonio Daniels as viable options to solidify the Heat's backcourt. Carter, 36, was waived by the Raptors on March 15 after posting 2.0 PPG and 1.4 APG in limited action.
Tom Benson's decision to purchase the Hornets is nothing short of a blessing for the city of New Orleans, writes Benjamin Hochman of The Denver Post. The Saints owner will ensure the franchise remains in New Orleans, is given a nickname more reflective of the culture of the Crescent City and will foster a commitment to winning thanks to his deep pockets and love for his hometown. Hochman does concede, however, that the team must improve the New Orleans Arena and sign a more favorable television deal in order to reach profitability in what is still a small-market NBA city.
Bob Kravitz of the Indianapolis Star wonders if the Pacers can win an NBA championship without having a superstar on their roster. While the Pistons were able to win it all with a star-less starting lineup in 2004, Kravitz mentions that the 1979 SuperSonics were the most recent team prior to Detroit that didn't feature at least one truly dominant player like a Tim Duncan or Kobe Bryant. The Pacers should be able to knock off a Magic squad riddled with injuries, but will be tested if they face the Heat in the second round of the playoffs.
Calling this season the toughest of his career, Deron Williams chats with Andy Vasquez of The Bergen Record about free agency and his future with the Nets.

Sefko On Mavs’ Summer Moves

April 17th, 2012 at 8:49pm CST by Sean Highkin

SportsDayDFW's Eddie Sefko answered some questions in a two-part mailbag (part 1 here, part 2 here) about the Dallas Mavericks' future moves, including which players may or may not be brought back.

Among the current Mavs players Sefko speculates will not be in Dallas next season are Ian Mahinmi, Vince Carter, Delonte West, and Brian Cardinal, in addition to the all-but-guaranteed departure of Lamar Odom.
Sefko thinks there's a chance Jason Terry, Shawn Marion, and Brendan Haywood remain in Dallas. Terry will be an unrestricted free agent, Marion has been discussed often in trades, and Haywood is widely believed to be a candidate for Dallas' amnesty clause.
In addition to Deron Williams, whom it is common knowledge the Mavs will pursue heavily this offseason, Sefko is intrigued by Utah's C.J. Miles as a possible backcourt partner.
Haywood isn't a sure thing to be amnestied, but the Mavs are still banking on Dwight Howard being in play at some point, at which time it's a lock that they will cut ties with him.
Sefko believes that if the Mavs sign Williams and retain Marion, free agents will be interested in signing in Dallas for below market value.

Odds & Ends: Mavs, Beasley, Bucks, Raptors

April 12th, 2012 at 10:32pm CST by Sean Highkin

The latest news and notes from around the NBA on Thursday evening:

Dallas radio hosts Barry Horn and Kevin Sherrington weighed in on a couple of Mavericks issues. Horn believes the Mavs are a better team without Lamar Odom, who was shut down earlier this week.
Sherrington speculates that the Mavs are still interested in acquiring Dwight Howard, especially if they can't sign Deron Williams this summer.
Michael Beasley told Ray Richardson of the Pioneer Press that he wants to stay with the Timberwolves going forward. Beasley is set to become a restricted free agent this summer.
Michael Hunt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel says the Bucks lack a clear direction for the future and will not contend with their current roster. Hunt believes the first step will be re-signing Ersan Ilyasova this summer.
Doug Smith of the Toronto Star doubts that Raptors 10-day contract signees Ben Uzoh and Justin Dentmon will be anything more than placeholders for the team.

Deron Williams Met With Nets’ Owner

April 10th, 2012 at 12:47pm CST by Luke Adams

Nets majority owner Mikhail Prokhorov is making a rare appearance in America this week, visiting the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York today. Speaking to reporters, Prokhorov was asked about the number one topic on the minds of Nets fans these days: Deron Williams. After initially declining comment, Prokhorov said that he met with the star point guard yesterday and that he thinks he and Williams are "on the same page" (via Andy Vasquez of the Bergen Record).

"[Deron] wants to win," Prokhorov said, according to Ken Berger of CBS Sports (via Twitter). "And I want to win maybe even more."

Williams, who holds a player option for next season, has indicated multiple times that he intends to explore free agency this summer. While the Nets could offer him the most money, there are a few other teams that could make a play for Williams, including his hometown Mavericks. Prokhorov acknowledged that he will likely be competing with Mark Cuban and the Mavs in the offseason.

"Let the best man win," Prokhorov said, joking: "If he wins, I will crush him in kickboxing throwdown" (Twitter link).

When we asked Sunday night where Williams would end up next season, about 53% of nearly 1000 Hoops Rumors readers predicted the point guard would be a Dallas Maverick.

Kyler’s Latest: Williams, Nash, Nelson, Hibbert

April 5th, 2012 at 10:33am CST by Luke Adams

Within his preview of a few of the summer's top free agents, Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld shares some rumors on the potential landing spots for those players. Let's check out the highlights….

The Deron Williams sweepstakes are the Nets' to lose. If the team can't surround Williams with satisfactory talent, expect the point guard to sign elsewhere.
Kyler hears the Suns have "put the idea of a two-year, $20MM offer on the table" for Steve Nash. Nash is said to be seeking a three-year deal, and if Phoenix were to add an extra year, it would almost certainly be the best offer the veteran would receive. Still, Kyler points out that Nash has earned well over $100MM in his NBA career, so he won't necessarily just take the highest salary.
Jameer Nelson has yet to decide on his player option for next season. While he's very unlikely to find a higher salary for 2012/13 on the open market, Nelson could potentially land a larger guarantee over multiple years. Declining the option would also give him more agency in determining where he plays, since he'd be a trade candidate with the Magic.
The Nets' Gerald Wallace is also undecided on his 2012/13 player option, though opting in seems more likely at this point.
It's very unlikely that another team poaches restricted free agent Roy Hibbert from the Pacers.
The Nuggets will probably match any offer for JaVale McGee of $7MM or less annually, but it's unclear whether they'd go much higher than that.

Deron Williams Talks Free Agency, Howard, Nets

April 3rd, 2012 at 8:15am CST by Luke Adams

As he stated after the trade deadline, Deron Williams hasn't wavered on his stance to test free agency after this season rather than opting into the final year of his current contract. That doesn't preclude a return to the Nets, but Williams figures to explore all of his options before making a decision. The point guard talked to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports about his impending free agency, Dwight Howard, and his role in the Nets' decision-making. Here are the highlights:

Williams pointed out that teams don't get called "unloyal" for trading players like free agents do for leaving teams: "If [players] leave, we are not loyal, we are ungrateful. People say stuff to me on Twitter. They already think I’m gone. They are out there bashing me, saying to me I’m a traitor…. I didn’t ask to be here. I got traded. I didn’t come here being a free agent. This is the first time that I’m a free agent in my career."
Williams "probably" would've re-signed with the Nets if the team had managed to acquire Howard at the trade deadline: "Oh yeah, it definitely would have changed things. I’ve already made it known that if he would have come I probably would have stayed."
A winning situation will be Williams' first priority in free agency: "At the end of the day, I'm not getting any younger. I'll be 28 when I sign this next deal. I have to look for the best situation for me."
Nets GM Billy King thinks that having a hand in his team's decision-making process will be another draw for Williams. The point guard has worked with King and the Nets' front office on personnel decisions since December, according to King: "In training camp he was in my office after practice every day just sitting there. He calls himself, 'the assistant GM.'"
The Mavericks have long been cited as a potential destination for Williams in free agency, a fact he acknowledges: "They’d definitely love for me to play [in Dallas]. I know that. I’ve known that my whole career. The fans on Twitter, a lot of Dallas fans on Twitter, tell me to come back home. We’ll see."