Deron Williams Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Atlantic Notes: Ewing, Rivers, Nets, Bayless

March 28th, 2012 at 6:55pm CST by Luke Adams

The 76ers are off, but the other four Atlantic squads will host games tonight, including the Celtics, who can pull into a tie for the Atlantic Division lead with a win against Utah. Here are a few updates out of the division:

Magic assistant coach Patrick Ewing reiterated his desire to become a head coach, and said if the Knicks don't retain Mike Woodson and the opportunity arises this summer, he'd like to coach the Knicks, with whom he starred as a player, writes Ian O'Connor of ESPNNewYork.com.
It's no surprise, but Doc Rivers would jump at the chance to coach his son in the NBA. He remarked that if Austin Rivers comes available when GM Danny Ainge and the Celtics are drafting this June, "I am going to say, 'Danny, you better draft him,'" tweets Sean Deveney of The Sporting News. The coach also said his son always had eyes on the NBA, and indicated the plan all along was to be a one-and-done player, Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe reports (Twitter link).
For his part, Austin Rivers said on The Dan Patrick Show that he wouldn't mind playing for his dad if the Celtics were to draft him. CSNEE.com has the details.
Deron Williams tells Fred Kerber of the New York Post that he could definitely see himself playing alongside Kentucky's Anthony Davis. Of course, two big ifs are left unspoken here: The Nets would have to luck into the first overall pick to land Davis, and Williams would have to re-sign or opt into the final year of his contract.
According to coach Dwane Casey, as relayed by Eric Koreen of the National Post, Jerryd Bayless' season-ending oblique injury won't affect how the Raptors view him in free agency.
Playing in Canada for the Raptors hardly feels foreign for the well-traveled Alan Anderson, as Koreen writes in a separate piece for the Post.

Atlantic Notes: Williams, D’Antoni, Celtics, Diaw

March 21st, 2012 at 9:31am CST by Luke Adams

Dwight Howard's decision to waive his early termination option and remain in Orlando may have surprised his agent, writes Ken Berger of CBS Sports. According to Berger, Dan Fegan was "telling anyone and everyone that Dwight was Brooklyn-bound." D12's unexpected decision is a reminder that no one knows exactly what a player is thinking, Berger says, pointing out that the same goes for Deron Williams, who will explore free agency this summer.

Here are a few more notes out of the Atlantic Division:

Speaking of Williams, he told reporters, including Anthony Sulla-Heffinger of the New York Post, that he's looking forward to the Nets' new arena in Brooklyn: "[The Barclays Center] is going to be state of the art, it's going to be the best arena in the NBA hands down. I’m excited to see it when it’s complete and hopefully play there."
Nothing that happens for the rest of this season will affect Williams' decision on whether or not to sign with the Nets this summer, tweets Colin Stephenson of the Star-Ledger.
Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo thinks Mike D'Antoni will return to the sidelines soon, but says it won't happen for his team, according to Mark Hale and Marc Berman of the New York Post. Colangelo says the Raptors are "in the first year of what I hope will be a long-term relationship" with coach Dwane Casey.
Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com fields reader questions in a mailbag focused on potential free agent pickups for the Celtics.
Ben Rohrbach of WEEI.com wonders if Boris Diaw, who agreed to a buyout with the Bobcats, could be a candidate to sign with the Celtics.

Kennedy On Williams, Buyouts, Nets, Magic

March 17th, 2012 at 4:45pm CST by Chuck Myron

Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld chatted with readers this afternoon, and passed along a few intriguing nuggets. Here are the highlights:

He rounded up the buyout candidates, listing Chris Kaman, Derek Fisher, Jermaine O’Neal, Shawne Williams, Boris Diaw, Marquis Daniels, Brian Cook and Ronny Turiaf.
Kennedy says he's been told free agent-to-be Deron Williams wants to play in Dallas, he and predicts the point guard winds up with the Mavs.
Since Dwight Howard's option only covers one more season, Kennedy wouldn't rule out the Nets pursuing D12 again next year.
The Magic won't go after Derek Fisher if he's bought out by the Rockets, but they may try to work a sign and trade with restricted free agent Ryan Anderson this summer as they try to get creative to bring in the talent necessary to appease Howard.

Deron Williams Will Explore Free Agency

March 16th, 2012 at 10:07am CST by Luke Adams

Dwight Howard opted into the final year of his deal yesterday, waiving his early termination option and ensuring that he remains under contract with the Magic for another season. Deron Williams finds himself in a situation similar to Howard's, with a player option for 2012/13, but the Nets point guard doesn't intend to exercise it.

"I will not opt in," Williams told Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News (Twitter link). "It's not monkey see, monkey do."

According to Bondy, Williams plans to explore his free agency and weigh his options this summer. The 27-year-old says the next place he plays, whether that's Brooklyn or elsewhere, is where he wants to retire (Twitter links).

While Howard changed his mind about his future a few times, Williams sounds resolute in his plans. He told reporters, including Andy Vasquez of the Bergen Record (Twitter link), that he hasn't lost sleep contemplating this summer like Howard did: "I haven't flip-flopped and gone back and forth. It's not even close to the same situation."

Nets GM Billy King said today on WFAN in New York that he's very confident Williams will re-sign with the team (hat tip to Colin Stephenson of the Star-Ledger).

Nets Would Turn Down Gasol For Williams

March 15th, 2012 at 10:52am CST by Luke Adams

ESPN.com's Marc Stein reports that if the Lakers offered Pau Gasol for Deron Williams, the Nets would turn it down. According to Stein, the Lakers actually did make that pitch to New Jersey in December, so the Nets have already said no once.

News of Dwight Howard's latest decision, to opt in for next season and remain with the Magic, has led to rampant speculation about potential trades involving the Nets' star point guard. However, New Jersey is still turning away all interest in Williams.

Nets Rebuffing Trade Interest In Deron Williams

March 15th, 2012 at 9:35am CST by Luke Adams

With Dwight Howard apparently ready to commit to the Magic for 2012/13, the outlook for the Nets has become cloudier. But even now that they may not have a chance to acquire Howard today or this summer, the Nets aren't likely to trade Deron Williams, tweets Colin Stephenson of the Star-Ledger. According to ESPN.com's Marc Stein, the Nets are rebuffing trade interest in Williams, telling teams they're not looking to move him (Twitter link).

According to Stephenson, the Nets are willing to take their chances on convincing Williams to sign long-term with the team this summer. With Howard potentially off the market, it will be a tougher sell, but the Nets should still have plenty of cap space to try to woo other free agents to Brooklyn.

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reported earlier today (on Twitter) that the Nets are looking at other trade scenarios that could bring in help around Williams. John Hollinger of ESPN.com, meanwhile, explored some deals involving Williams the Nets could explore if they decided to shop the star point guard.

Nets Latest: Williams, Howard, Miles

March 14th, 2012 at 9:43pm CST by Chuck Myron

9:43pm: Deron Williams sounds pleased with the Nets, telling reporters, including Andy Vasquez of the Bergen Record, that he has a much better relationship with team executives than he did in Utah. He also praised the greater endorsement opportunities he's received, as Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News notes, which could be a subtle hint directed at Dwight Howard.

6:16pm: The Nets are unwilling to trade Deron Williams, writes Alex Raskin of HoopsWorld. They're not sure of the assets they could get in return, and feel like they can make some offseason moves to strengthen the club and entice the point guard to stay.

5:24pm: The future of Deron Williams in New Jersey is not necessarily tied to Dwight Howard, tweets Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld. With D12 apparently staying in Orlando for at least one more season, it throws a wrench into plans the Nets had of putting Williams and Howard together when they move to Brooklyn next year. The Mavs, too, have had eyes on combining Williams and Howard.

Williams will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. As we surmised earlier, the chances of Williams remaining with New Jersey have taken a hit with today's Howard news. The Nets now may look to deal Williams to get some kind of return in case he leaves the team after the season.

The Nets are also continuing to pursue C.J. Miles of the Jazz, according to Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld. (Twitter link). The Jazz have been rumored to be looking to move Miles, a free agent at seasons end.

D’Antoni Advocated Trading Carmelo For Williams

March 14th, 2012 at 3:45pm CST by Luke Adams

When Mike D'Antoni and the Knicks agreed to part ways today, Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports heard the two sides had "conflicting visions of the club's future." TNT's David Aldridge expands on that point on NBA.com's Hang Time Blog, saying that D'Antoni wanted the Knicks to explore trading Carmelo Anthony for Deron Williams.

According to Aldridge, D'Antoni believed such a deal would've been beneficial for both franchises, and that adding Williams to the Knicks would've eased the pressure placed on Jeremy Lin. James Dolan, however, had no interest in dealing Carmelo, and he and D'Antoni agreed to terminate D'Antoni's position after meeting today.

While the idea isn't one that had been rumored at all, it's probably one the Nets would've liked to explore, if Dwight Howard remains with the Magic for next season, as is now expected. If Howard isn't ticketed for Brooklyn this summer, the chances of Williams remaining a Net may take a huge hit.

Dwight Howard Rumors: Wednesday

March 14th, 2012 at 2:46pm CST by Luke Adams

Even after an impressive overtime win by the Magic against the Heat last night, the post-game focus was on the off-court story: Dwight Howard's future. As we covered in yesterday's round-up of Howard rumors, D12 told reporters he'd like the Magic to keep him for the rest of the season and "roll the dice" this summer. Considering earlier Tuesday reports indicated that Howard's long-term plan involves signing with the Nets as a free agent so New Jersey doesn't have to trade core assets, Dwight's suggestion that Orlando roll the dice seemed particularly brash.

Zach Lowe of SI.com called Howard's post-game speech the low point of the ongoing saga, while Ken Berger of CBS Sports reported that some Magic executives were privately disgusted with the star center's comments. We expect plenty more updates to pour in as the day goes on, so we'll track them all here, with the latest items up top:

The Knicks are intrigued by the possibility of acquiring Howard, but won't offer Carmelo Anthony, since James Dolan "loves him," tweets Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports. I'd say that takes New York out of the running, since the Magic wouldn't be nearly as interested in an Amare Stoudemire/Tyson Chandler package.
There are no legs to the rumor that the Magic are working on a three-team deal to bring in Josh Smith (linked below), tweets Jarrod Randolph of RealGM.com.
According to ESPN.com's Chad Ford, the Nets would be open to offering the Magic anything they want for Howard, with the exception of Deron Williams.
Orlando still seems to be entertaining deals that could bring in help around Howard, as Bill Ingram of HoopsWorld reports that they're eyeing the Hawks' Josh Smith. The Magic would need to get a third team involved, perhaps the Timberwolves and Michael Beasley. Given Orlando's lack of tradeable assets, acquiring Smith seems like an extreme long shot to me.
The Magic are telling teams they intend to move Howard if they don't receive a commitment beyond this season from Dwight, according to ESPN.com's Chris Broussard. We have the details here.
Nets sources insist the team would give up assets in the next 24 hours if it meant landing Howard, but Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld explains why New Jersey may not be motivated to make a substantial offer. If Howard and Williams sign in Brooklyn this summer, the pair would want a third significant player to join them, and the Nets may be considering saving its trade chips to acquire that player.

Celtics Rumors: Allen, Bradley, Rondo, Pierce

March 14th, 2012 at 8:19am CST by Luke Adams

Following a blockbuster deal by the Eastern Conference's current eighth seed, is it the seventh seed's turn to strike? The Celtics have been at the center of countless trade rumors over the last few weeks, but according to GM Danny Ainge, no moves are imminent for Boston.

"It's not because of a lack of trying or having conversations with other teams," Ainge told A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com. "We just haven't come across a deal that we feel good about, that will make us a better team."

The Celtics have less than 30 hours to find that deal. While we wait to see if Ainge pulls anything off, here are the latest links out of Boston:

According to Blakely, Ray Allen is the Celtic most likely to be moved.
Avery Bradley is drawing "significant" interest as well, but an official from a rival team doesn't expect a trade: "Danny loves that kid, and now that he's playing and playing well… he's worth more to them to keep than to flip."
The only way the Celtics could change their stance on not trading Rajon Rondo is if a player like Deron Williams becomes available, but a Nets source assures Blakely that's not happening.
Ainge is reluctant to give up 2012 draft picks in any deal, telling Blakely that, while a short-term improvement would be nice, the team doesn't want to compromise its long-term goals.
Asked about the possibility of a trade, Paul Pierce indicated to J.A. Adande of ESPN.com that the decision will likely be out of his hands: "There's only so much I can control…. I've heard it put out there that if Danny Ainge gets the opportunity, [a trade] can happen. So I'm not in a situation like Steve Nash where it's only if he requests it. That wasn't said to me. That's what it is."