Deron Williams, Dallas Mavericks: We start with Williams, who’s no longer relied on as the top dog with a max salary (though he’s still making a bonus $5.5 million from Brooklyn for the next five seasons). He’s experienced a leveling off in his game, but a major uptick in his mood. Williams is shooting better from 2-point range (45.8%, up from 39.5% last year) and the free throw line (89.6%, up from 83.4%), but otherwise has regressed from last season, shooting worse from three-point range and dishing fewer assists. Still, Williams is an important piece for the Mavericks, who should comfortably land between 5th and 7th in the Western Conference playoff race, while the Nets have nosedived in on-court production without him.
