Deron Williams Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Jazz, George Hill Won’t Agree To Extension Today

February 28th, 2017 at 1:09pm CST by Luke Adams

1:09pm: Hill and the Jazz won’t reach an agreement on a contract renegotiation-and-extension before tonight’s deadline, reports Tony Jones of The Salt Lake Tribune (Twitter link). That doesn’t rule out a long-term deal for Hill in Utah this summer though, as the club will hold his Bird rights when he hits the open market in July.

12:16pm: The Jazz are engaged in active discussions with George Hill about a potential contract extension, league sources tell Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com. As MacMahon details, the two sides are attempting to work toward an agreement before tonight’s deadline for contract renegotiations.

Hill indicated earlier in the season that he’d be “very interested” in discussing an extension with the Jazz, and while he hasn’t publicly addressed his contract situation recently, reports continue to suggest he’s receptive to the idea of a long-term stay in Utah. According to MacMahon, the Jazz are “determined” to lock up Hill to a multiyear deal this summer if the two sides don’t reach an agreement today.

Although veteran players can sign contract extensions right up until the end of June, a standard extension offers very modest raises on a player’s current-year salary, making it an unappealing option for someone like Hill, who is earning $8MM in 2016/17. However, as we detailed earlier today, a renegotiation-and-extension would allow Utah to increase Hill’s salary for this season and then tack on up to three additional years onto his deal.

[RELATED: Salary Cap Snapshot: Utah Jazz]

The Jazz currently have a league-high $13.64MM in salary cap room, so they could bump Hill’s salary up to about $21.64MM this season, then give him 7.5% raises in subsequent years. The maximum amount that the Jazz could offer Hill would be about $88.31MM in new money to lock him up through 2019/20, though I’d be surprised if the club is willing to go quite that high. Utah has a number of key players on track for new deals soon, including Rudy Gobert‘s extension set to go into effect in 2017/18 and Gordon Hayward likely to opt out this summer, and going up to the max for Hill would limit the team’s flexibility going forward.

Still, an extension for their starting point guard is a priority for the Jazz. According to MacMahon, one reason Utah declined to place a waiver claim on Deron Williams this week was because the team wanted to use that room on a contract for Hill instead. Derrick Favors is also eligible for a renegotiation-and-extension, but a Monday report suggested that the Jazz aren’t currently focusing on a new deal for Favors, who has one more year left on his contract.

After being acquired from the Pacers in an offseason trade, Hill has battled injuries a little this season, appearing in just 34 games for the Jazz. However, he has been a major part of the club’s success, recording a career-high 17.7 PPG to go along with 4.0 APG and a .413 3PT%. Utah has a 25-9 record when Hill takes the court, compared to a 12-13 mark when he sits.

Cavs Announce Deron Williams Signing

February 27th, 2017 at 6:15pm CST by Milo Taibi

The Cavs have made their signing of Deron Williams official, announcing the deal through a press release (link). Williams cleared waivers on Saturday, and is likely to debut Wednesday against the Celtics. The signing will cost Cleveland $908,431, bringing the team’s payroll to over $126.9MM.

According to Darren Rovell of ESPN, Williams will wear the number 31 (Twitter link). Williams discussed the signing with media outlets, saying “At the end of the day I felt like this was the best team for me. I felt like I would have a significant role here” (Source).

Our original story on the Cavs’ agreement with Williams can be found right here.

Cavs To Sign Deron Williams

February 25th, 2017 at 4:16pm CST by ChrisCrouse

Deron Williams has cleared waivers and he will sign with the Cavaliers, according to Marc Stein of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Shams Charania of The Vertical tweets that the signing is expected to be completed on Monday.

The agreement is for the remainder of the season and it will cost Cleveland $908,431 this season with $259,526 of that figure being Williams’ salary and remaining cost being luxury tax payments, Bobby Marks of The Vertical tweets. The move will bring the Cavs payroll to slightly over $126.9MM, which is the highest is league history.

Dallas was looking to trade Williams at the deadline, but no deal materialized. Shortly after the deadline, it was reported that the Mavs were working on a buyout agreement with Williams and his preferred destination was Cleveland.

LeBron James has been adamant about the team adding a playmaker to help take the burden off of him and the addition of Williams should help with that issue. The 32-year-old can play the traditional point guard role for the Cavs when Kyrie Irving and James sit, but he’s also comfortable playing off the ball, so he should see regular minutes alongside Irving and James as well.

Williams is averaging 13.1 points and 6.9 assists per game this season. He has a 53.2 true shooting percentage and he’s sporting a 15.3 player efficiency rating.

Deron Williams Waived, May Sign With Cavaliers

February 23rd, 2017 at 4:16pm CST by Arthur Hill

The Mavericks have waived point guard Deron Williams, according to a press release from the team. Dallas began working on a buyout earlier today after it was unable to complete a deal involving Williams before the deadline.

Williams is hoping to join the Cavaliers, who have been in the market for a veteran backup to Kyrie Irving, tweets Jon Krawczynski of The Associated Press. Cleveland has an open roster spot, so another move would not be necessary to sign Williams. He would have to clear waivers before than can happen, but he is expected to do so (Twitter link).

Several teams that also have interest in Williams tell ESPN.com’s Marc Stein that they believe he has already decided to go to Cleveland (Twitter link).

The Cavaliers have expressed interest in adding Williams, according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Cleveland has a shot to acquire both Williams and center Andrew Bogut, who is reportedly negotiating a buyout with the Sixers, tweets Chris Haynes of ESPN.com. He adds that Jordan McRae would be released if that happens.

Williams, 32, played 40 games for the Mavericks this season, averaging 13.1 points and 6.9 assists. He has been with Dallas since signing in July of 2015 after agreeing to a buyout with the Nets.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Mavs Working On Buyout Agreement With Deron Williams

February 23rd, 2017 at 2:57pm CST by ChrisCrouse

2:57 PM: Dallas has told Williams that the team will pay him the full remaining amount of his $9MM salary if he would like to become a free agent, Marc Stein of ESPN.com reports (Twitter link).

2:37 PM: The Mavericks are working with Deron Williams to come to an agreement on a buyout, according to Shams Charania of The Vertical (Twitter link). The scribe adds that the Cavs, Jazz, and Hawks expressed interest in the point guard via trade. There would presumably be more teams interested in him should he hit the open market.

Williams sat out practice over the last two days with what coach Rick Carlisle is calling a “pending situation,” Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com reports (Twitter links). Williams is making $9MM this season after signing a one-year deal to return the Mavs during the offseason.

Dallas will be thin at the point guard position if it cuts ties with Williams. J.J. Barea remains out with a calf injury and he’s expected to miss at least three more contests. MacMahon (Twitter link) notes that the team could look to add a player via another 10-day deal.

The ESPN scribe adds that the team is preparing to give its top point guard spot to rookie Yogi Ferrell. Ferrell got his chance in Dallas after signing a 10-day contract earlier this season. He thrived in the starting role and helped the team get back into the playoff picture, as the Mavs sit just three games behind the Nuggets in the Western Conference’s eighth seed race.

Pierre Jackson is a player to keep an eye on later in the season, though that’s merely my speculation. Jackson was playing well for Dallas before straining his hamstring, an event that led the team to sign Ferrell. The injury was nearly a month ago and if Jackson is healthy enough to play, he could be a candidate to come to the team. However, it’s worth noting that a deal would have to be for the remainder of the season since Dallas already signed him to two 10-day deals.

Trade Rumors: C. Lee, Clippers, Pacers, Jazz, Kings

February 23rd, 2017 at 12:34pm CST by Luke Adams

Earlier today, we heard that the Clippers recently showed interest in Courtney Lee, and according to Ian Begley and Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com, the Clips and Knicks continue to talk. New York has been seeking draft picks in discussions on Lee and other players, and the Clippers don’t have any immediate first-rounders to offer, as Begley notes. So if the Knicks want to send Lee to Los Angeles, they may have to settle for a player or get a third team involved.

Here are more of the latest trade rumors from around the NBA:

The Pacers have been talking to teams about possible trades that would allow them to clear roster spots, tweets ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. As Windhorst notes, teams suspect that might be related to their talks with the Celtics regarding Paul George. Of course, Indiana may also just be doing due diligence as well in case Boston ups its offer — the Pacers wouldn’t want to be stuck having to waive useful players to make a deal work.
The Jazz don’t appear likely at this point to make a deal, says Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com (via Twitter). TNT’s David Aldridge notes (via Twitter) that Utah could still make a move for Deron Williams, but if Williams isn’t dealt, the veteran point guard won’t ask for a buyout from the Mavericks.
The Kings continue to mull their options, but don’t appear to be moving forward with talks for players like Darren Collison and Arron Afflalo for now, according to Tim Bontemps of The Washington Post (Twitter link), who adds that Sacramento’s asking prices may be too high. If those prices come down, things could change.
The Wizards continue to work the phones, but aren’t overly optimistic about getting another deal done by the deadline, tweets Bontemps.
The market for Iman Shumpert appears to be cooling as the deadline approaches, per Sam Amico of AmicoHoops.net (Twitter link). Amico says that teams are asking for a draft pick from the Cavaliers, and Cleveland doesn’t have many picks left.

Trade Rumors: Muhammad, Raptors, Collison, Mavs

February 23rd, 2017 at 11:57am CST by Luke Adams

The Timberwolves are “determined” to move Shabazz Muhammad today and hope to land a draft pick in return, reports TNT’s David Aldridge (via Twitter). One report earlier today suggested that Minnesota might attach Muhammad to Ricky Rubio, but Aldridge is unsure if Muhammad would be included in a potential Rubio/Derrick Rose swap.

Here are more trade rumors from around the NBA:

John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 (Twitter link) has heard that Raptors players would like to see the team acquire Suns forward P.J. Tucker, in the hopes of getting someone capable of defending LeBron James in the postseason.
Darren Collison, who is on an expiring contract, is drawing interest from many teams, but the Kings are holding firm on their asking price of a first-round pick, tweets David Aldridge of TNT. An earlier report identified the Bucks as a potential Collison suitor, but Charles F. Gardner of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Twitter link) says Milwaukee hasn’t engaged in talks with the Kings.
Now that they’ve found a taker for Andrew Bogut, the Mavericks have shifted their focus to a possible Deron Williams deal, tweets Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders.
The Wizards are exploring the market for a possible deal for a point guard, sources tell Kyler (Twitter link).
The Warriors aren’t active today, and figure to focus on the buyout market if they want to bolster their bench, according to Kyler (Twitter link).

Deveney’s Latest: Tucker, Favors, Gallinari, Anthony

February 23rd, 2017 at 9:49am CST by Dana Gauruder

P.J. Tucker‘s expiring, affordable contract makes him the player most likely to be dealt before today’s trade deadline, according to Sean Deveney of the Sporting News. The Suns are holding out for a first-round pick for the veteran small forward, even if it’s a future first-rounder that they can use down the road as an asset, Deveney continues. The Jazz, Celtics, Clippers, Nuggets, Timberwolves, Hawks and Bulls have all shown interest in Tucker, giving the Suns hope they can get a first-round pick for him, Deveney adds.

Deveney touched on a number of other players who could be wearing a different uniform by the end of the day:

Luxury-tax concerns have the Jazz exploring the market for power forward Derrick Favors. Rudy Gobert‘s extension kicks in next season and Utah is hopeful of re-signing Gordon Hayward in the likelihood he opts out of the final year of his current contract this summer. That makes Favors expendable but his nagging knee injury has tempered the market for him.
Danilo Gallinari is drawing more interest on the market than fellow Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler. Denver is seeking a first-rounder for either player but Gallinari’s ability to opt out of his contract after the season makes it more difficult for the Nuggets to get value for him.
Carmelo Anthony is likely to stay put unless Knicks president Phil Jackson can revive talks with the Clippers. Jackson is also trying to deal free agents he signed last summer — Courtney Lee and Joakim Noah — for draft picks.
The Hawks, Hornets and Bucks have shown interest in point guard Darren Collison as the Kings continue their latest rebuild in the wake of the DeMarcus Cousins blockbuster.
The Bulls, Pacers and possibly the Mavericks are still in play as potential suitors for Sixers power forward Jahlil Okafor but Philadelphia is not determined to move him unless it gets the right package.
The Mavericks are hopeful of getting a first-rounder for either Andrew Bogut or Deron Williams but may be willing to settle for a couple of second-rounders.

Western Notes: Mavs, Kings, Wolves, Jazz

February 22nd, 2017 at 9:26pm CST by ChrisCrouse

We’re less than 17 hours away from the trade deadline. While we wait to see what unfolds, check out some notes and rumors out of the Western Conference:

Deron Williams and Andrew Bogut are rumored to be on the move and the Mavericks held both of them out of practice today, Earl K. Sneed of Fox Sports relays via Twitter. “With the trade deadline tomorrow, you can read a lot into that,” coach Rick Carlisle said.
If the Mavericks make a deal involving Williams or Bogut, it’s likely to occur right before Thursday’s deadline, Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News writes. The team is looking for picks in the upcoming draft in exchange for their veterans.
The Kings are likely to move someone in their backcourt, Ailene Voisin of the Sacramento Bee tweets. Voisin hears that the Pacers have interest in acquiring Arron Afflalo.
The Jazz have had conversations with other teams regarding a Derrick Favors trade, but a source told Spencer Checketts of 1280 KZNS (Twitter link) that the team doesn’t view any offer as “even close” to being fair.
Wolves executive/coach Tom Thibodeau said the team is still looking at trade possibilities, but as of right now, he doesn’t see any deal that makes sense for the franchise, Jon Krawczynski of the Associated Press writes. “If there’s something that makes sense that can make you better, then you take a look at it. If not, I’m happy with the team we have. I like the guys we have. I like the approach we have,” Thibodeau said.
Clippers coach Doc Rivers said Chris Paul has been medically cleared to return to the court and he may play as early as Thursday, Andrew Han of ESPN.com relays.

Mavs Open To Trading Deron Williams, Jazz Interested

February 21st, 2017 at 7:44pm CST by ChrisCrouse

The Jazz have expressed interest in bringing Deron Williams back to Utah through a trade with the Mavericks, according to Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com. The scribe adds that Dallas is open to trading both Williams and Andrew Bogut before the deadline, but he cautions that no deal is imminent.

The point guard is making $9MM this season and since it was a one-year deal with the same team he played for in the prior season, he has the right to block any trade. MacMahon adds that Williams still has a home in the Salt Lake City area and he enjoys Utah. He was drafted by the Jazz with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2005 draft before being traded to the Nets midway through the 2010/11 campaign.

The Jazz are roughly $13.6MM under the salary cap, but they do have 15 players under contract, as the team’s depth chart at Roster Resource indicates, so they would need to either send back or waive a player to complete a deal.

George Hill will likely remain the starter, but he’s missed 25 games this season because of injury. The team is 23-9 with Hill in the lineup, but just 12-13 when he’s unable to play. Utah could use depth at the point guard spot as it looks to make the playoffs for the first time since trading away Williams.