1. What’ll happen to Deron Williams?
Let’s back up a bit.
Let’s remember that the Nets acquired Deron Williams three years ago, and in doing so, made an over-arching, strategic decision. Youth was gone. Development was done. The move to acquire Deron Williams wasn’t just one that altered the franchise’s complexion, but one that set a plan in motion. The plan to acquire veterans that were good now, in return for pieces that might be better later. It was the literal definition of a mortgage: they loaned out draft picks and youth for players that could get them in the door today.
Every move that came after acquiring Deron Williams was done with at least partial (if not sole) intent to appease him. Draft picks can’t play defense, but Gerald Wallace can. Cap space can’t shoot, but Joe Johnson was a six-time All-Star. Then, Gerald Wallace couldn’t shoot, but Paul Pierce & Kevin Garnett could, so throw in three more draft picks that can’t shoot and bring in the future Hall of Famers.
But after two early exits in the playoffs, we knew this was coming. The criticism fell on Deron Williams’s shoulders. Or ankles. Or confidence. Or something. Now, there’s a scathing report from Bleacher Report’s Howard Beck that alleges the Nets might look to trade Williams this offseason:
There is an alternative, sources say, the Nets will not rule out: They could look to trade Williams this summer, retool around Johnson and Lopez, squeeze one more run out of Pierce and Garnett and hope for the best.
It’s hard to say what the Nets might get for a 29-year-old former All-Star with bad ankles and $63 million left on his contract, but it’s worth exploring. The Houston Rockets tried to acquire Williams last December, so it’s not inconceivable that another team desperate for point-guard help might inquire.
The Rockets reportedly looked to acquire Williams for Omer Asik and Jeremy Lin, and the Nets balked.
But with Williams dealing with ankle issues and confidence issues once again heading into the offseason, it’s a curious question: do the Nets look to move the player they’ve built around for three years? Do they hope the latest potential surgery makes a real difference in his play?
My guess: Like Lopez, they look for Williams suitors under the table, but nobody’s willing to part with draft picks to swallow his remaining three years and $63 million.
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