Deron Williams Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Atlantic Notes: Iguodala, 76ers, Williams

February 25th, 2012 at 11:48am CST by Zachary Links

Even though the Sixers are sitting atop the Atlantic thanks to a surprisingly strong first half of the season, there have been plenty of calls for the team to upgrade as they look ahead to the postseason. Here's more on Philly and the rest of the Atlantic..

Andre Iguodala isn't on the trade block but knows that things can change quickly, tweets Sean Deveney of the Sporting News. "We lost some games, so you never know. Next week, we might be back at it again," said the 28-year-old. The team discussed Iguodala with several clubs prior to last year's draft but has since stopped those talks.
If fans are looking for the 76ers to make a franchise-altering deal before the trade deadline, they should think again, writes John N. Mitchell of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Team president Rod Thorn appears committed to allowing the roster to grow together while one Eastern Conference GM told Mitchell that he doesn't see the club making a mid-season deal.
Iguodala isn't surprised to see the Sixers flourishing under second-year coach Doug Collins, writes A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com. Blakely points out that in his three previous head coaching stints , Collins' teams averaged six more wins from the first year to the second.
In his piece concerning Deron Williams and Dwight Howard this morning, Fred Kerber of the New York Post writes that the point guard doesn't seem fazed by the notion of leaving $25MM-$30MM on the table to sign elsewhere. “I want to win,” the All-Star said. “[The contract] doesn’t matter to me. It’s not all about money. I want to win at the end of the day, so I’m just going to wait until the end of the year and see what happens.”
Even though it's not a position that he or the Knicks envisioned when he signed a five-year, $100MM deal with the club, Amare Stoudemire says that he's okay with taking a backseat this year the betterment of the team, writes Marc Berman of the New York Post.

Dwight Howard Rumors: Saturday

February 25th, 2012 at 8:40am CST by Zachary Links

Yesterday, Dwight Howard manned the sidelines for the All-Star celebrity game but beforehand had to fend off questions about his immediate future. Even though the big man tried his best to sidestep the issue, the media still pressed Howard for answers. Here's a look at today's rumors..

The All-Stars were paired for a “Day of Service” event in the community and Magic officials were upset when the NBA paired Howard with Deron Williams, writes Fred Kerber of the New York Post.

Dwight Howard Rumors: Wednesday

February 22nd, 2012 at 8:52am CST by Luke Adams

The Magic will only play once in New Jersey this season, but can the same be said about Dwight Howard? Howard and the Magic arrive at Prudential Center tonight amidst speculation that Howard would like to be a Net, if not by March 15th, then perhaps by the start of next season. With New Jersey scuffling along at 10-24, the rumors surrounding Howard and Nets point guard Deron Williams figure to get more attention today than the game itself, so let's keep tabs on today's Howard updates here. As usual, the latest items will be added up top throughout the day….

The Nets have promoted Howard's appearance in Jersey heavily, hoping to "provide an atmosphere to impress," says Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News.
Assuming he's not traded, Howard would give up an extra year and around $30MM in guaranteed money if he signed with the Nets this summer rather than re-signing with the Magic. However, Bondy hears from a source familiar with Howard's thinking that the lost year doesn't bother D12 much, as endorsement deals in the right market could help make up the difference.
A source tells Bondy it's not a sure thing that Williams would leave the Nets if the team can't obtain Howard.

Stephen Jackson Talks Potential Destinations

February 20th, 2012 at 8:51am CST by Luke Adams

It's no secret that Stephen Jackson is a trade candidate, and that the Bucks wouldn't hesitate to move him if they got an offer they liked. But just in case there was any confusion, Jackson expressed his opinion to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News.

"No disrespect to the guys (on the Bucks)," said Jackson. "But I’m at the stage of my career where I want to be in a different situation."

Reports have suggested that Dwight Howard and Jackson would like to play together, perhaps for the Magic or Nets. While the possibility of the pair teaming up in Orlando is likely a long shot, Jackson seemed enthusiastic about the chance to play in Brooklyn next season with Howard and Deron Williams. Williams had positive things to say about Jackson as well, telling Bondy he tried to recruit the 6'8" forward when he played for the Jazz.

"I like his game," said Williams. "I know a lot of people that knows him. I’m good friends with Baron Davis, who says (Jackson) was a great teammate. So he was just one of the guys I always wanted to play with."

Jackson says he has no desire to play for the Mavericks, another potential offseason landing spot for Williams and Howard. However, as Bondy points out in a pair of tweets, neither the Nets or the Mavs would be able to take on Jackson's $10MM+ 2012/13 salary if they signed Williams and Howard to max or near-max deals. To have a chance to team up with both players, Jackson would probably need to be amnestied by the Bucks.

Trade Candidate: Deron Williams

February 14th, 2012 at 8:09pm CST by Zachary Links

As their roster currently stands, it seems unlikely that the 8-21 Nets will find their way into the playoffs. Of course, the team has been linked to Dwight Howard for quite some time and they are reportedly one of three clubs on the center's list. While some pundits and fans expect Howard to wind up in New Jersey before the trade deadline, it's also possible that the Magic strike a deal elsewhere or even decide to roll the dice and hang on to their superstar.

If that's the case, the Nets could head into the summer and try to retain Deron Williams while also pursuing Howard. Alternatively, they could consider shopping Williams prior to the trade deadline. Even though Billy King & Co. gave up an awful lot to land the point guard, it may be in their best interest to trade him if they don't feel confident in their ability to keep him beyond this season.

With his deal set to expire at the end of the year, Williams could put the kibosh on any swap by refusing to agree to a contract extension. While that could hurt the Nets' leverage, trading an elite point guard will always bring a solid return. So what are some potential landing spots?

The Lakers could certainly use a playmaker of Williams' caliber and they showed before the start of the season in their ill-fated talks for Chris Paul that they're willing to give up real value for a top one-guard. If Paul was worth both Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom to Mitch Kupchak, he'd likely pay close to that to put Williams alongside Kobe Bryant. If a third team can be brought in to provide the Nets with draft picks and long-term value, a proposal which gives them Gasol and subtracts Johan Petro's contract could be a good starting point.

The other obvious destination for Williams would be the Mavericks as the guard spent his formative years in The Colony, Texas, just 30 miles of Dallas. However, the Mavs also have a dearth of young talent and it's hard to imagine the club putting together an attractive package for the Nets on their own. Dallas could try to ply pieces away from a third party to pair with the expiring contract of Jason Terry, but they wouldn't feel compelled to do so unless Williams appears to be bound for another team.

Things should improve for the Nets in the short-term with Brook Lopez set to return from injury in the coming weeks. However, the club's on-court play over the next month won't have much bearing on Williams' trade candidacy. For the Nets to feel confident in their ability to hold on to the point guard, they'll have to demonstrate that they have the vision and means to compete beyond 2012.

Dwight Howard Rumors: Sunday

February 5th, 2012 at 9:23pm CST by Sean Highkin

Saturday, it was reported that a phone conversation between Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard has soured the Magic center on the prospect of playing for the Lakers. Today has been relatively quiet in the area of Howard-related rumors.

HoopsWorld's Alex Kennedy appeared on NetsAreScorching TV and stated that he strongly believes Howard will end up on the Nets, citing the center's close relationship with Deron Williams and the allure of a new arena in Brooklyn as selling points.

Atlantic Links: Garnett, Williams, Jeffries

February 5th, 2012 at 4:30pm CST by Michael Pina

Here's a few links to what's been going on in the Atlantic Division over the weekend.

Tim Bontemps of the New York Post points to the Nets' pick and roll defense as a main reason in why they lost to the Knicks last night. "It's something they have struggled with time and again all season long. When you break down their defense using advanced stats, the best part of their defense actually is defending the ball handler in the pick-and-roll (16th overall in the league at 0.8 points per possession). But it's the roll man that constantly kills them."
After New York's win, Mike D'Antoni said that Jared Jeffries played his best game of the season, according to Jared Zwerling of ESPN NewYork. Jeffries finished the game with nine points and 10 rebounds in 31 minutes of action.
After defeating the Grizzlies 98-80 on Sunday afternoon, A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com writes that Kevin Garnett's 24 point, nine rebound performance was especially crucial for the Celtics because of backup power forward Brandon Bass' injury.
New Jersey Nets point guard Deron Williams has had an uncharacteristically inconsistent year so far. Jake Appleman of the New York Times gives an in-depth account of Williams' battle with Jeremy Lin.

Berger On Howard, Williams, Chandler, Nash, GMs

February 3rd, 2012 at 9:03pm CST by Alex Lee

Ken Berger of CBSSports weighed in on the Dwight Howard situation, Deron Williams and several other hot NBA topics. Here is a quick summary of his updates:

Dwight Howard would already be on his way out of Orlando if he was able to make a decision on a destination, according to a person close to the situation. Rival executives believe that after the All-Star game in Orlando, the Magic will be forced to move him.
Berger says that despite reports to the contrary, the Lakers are indeed one of Howard's finalists, along with the Mavericks and Nets. The Lakers would prefer to move Pau Gasol in a deal over newly named All-Star starter Andrew Bynum.
While the Nets are encouraged by Deron Williams' outlook on the team, the team knows that it must complete a Dwight Howard-sized deal to resign the point guard.
Despite league-wide concern over how the Kenyon Martin situation shook out in China, the Nuggets remain committed to signing Wilson Chandler.
Steve Nash has not requested a trade, but if he should, the Suns would do all they can to accommodate his request.
On top of the Lakers interest in Ramon Sessions, the team has also discussed the possibility of adding Gilbert Arenas.
Berger suggests the following front office members have uncertain futures: Wizards GM Ernie Grunfeld, Pistons team president Joe Dumars, Kings team president Geoff Petrie, Raptors team president Bryan Colangelo

Odds & Ends: Bucks, Williams, Beasley, Raptors

February 2nd, 2012 at 9:59pm CST by Jason Hahn

Here are some notes from around the NBA on a quiet Thursday night…

Michael Hunt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel examines the Bucks and their chance at becoming one of the league's pleasant surprises this season. He says the team is sharing the basketball, swarming on defense and scoring triple-digit points on a regular basis. In fact, the loss of Andrew Bogut to a broken ankle could be a reason why the ball is moving so well on offense. All this despite Stephen Jackson's touchy situation. "And it is my understanding that he has requested a trade," writes Hunt.
Deron Williams is staying positive in New Jersey, according to Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News. The Nets have been hit hard by injuries lately, even playing with just eight players in uniform on Wednesday against the Pistons. "But, you know, hopefully we get some guys back here soon," Williams said of his depleted team. "What can you do?" This is a sign of progress for Williams, who used to pout and show his frustration on the court. Williams' rosy perspective could be something of a positive sign for the Nets, who will be looking to retain the 27-year-old point guard when he becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer. He's still considering his one-year, $17.8MM player option.
Michael Beasley might have a reputation for being a detrimental black hole, but the numbers tell a different story, according to Rob Parker of the New York Times. "The Wolves are not, as has been suggested, better without Beasley; the Wolves’ offense may be a bit more fluid when he sits, but the skill that produced Beasley’s volume scoring last season is still present and still valuable," writes Parker. An analysis of on/off data from this season shows that the Timberwolves benefit from having Beasley on the court. The 23-year-old forward should hope NBA teams see this — he's a restricted free agent after this season.
The Raptors are struggling, so coach Dwane Casey is going back to the basics. For one thing, he's focusing on the team's poor 2-6 record at home. While taking away comforts would be one way to shake up his players, "there really are no visible extras this team enjoys," writes Mike Ganter of the Toronto Sun. Ganter also notes that Amir Johnson's recent struggles might be tied to personal issues off the court.

Williams Will Consider Exercising One-Year Option

January 31st, 2012 at 7:05pm CST by Zachary Links

Nets point guard Deron Williams won't rule out picking up his one-year, $17.8MM option at season's end, writes Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News. Williams has been expected to seek a long-term contract on the open market this summer but the 27-year-old said that he's open to putting off his free agency until the 2013 offseason.

“Yeah [picking up the option is something I’m considering]. I don’t know what I’m going to do,” Williams told the Daily News on Monday. “At the end of the season, I’m going to figure out what’s going on, I’m going to sit down with my agent and look at every option possible.”

As a player with seven years in the league, Williams can sign a new deal worth up to 30% of a team's salary cap. That contract could be a five-year pact if he opts to stay in New Jersey or a four-year deal if he goes elsewhere.

If the point guard signs with a different team this summer and renounces his Bird rights, he'll earn about $700K less next season. A new long-term, max deal with the Nets would pay Williams roughly $200,000 less in 2013 than the one-year option.

Bondy points out that Dwight Howard has a similar one-year option available, though it's unclear if the former first-overall pick would want to deal with another year of speculation and uncertainty.