A high-level Brooklyn Nets official told The Brooklyn Game that a report that Deron Williams wanted out of Brooklyn “came out of left field” and that Williams has not requested a trade, but acknowledged that Williams has struggled with the burden of expectation since joining the Nets.
“He’s frustrated,” the source told The Brooklyn Game. “He’s not happy with himself. He’s not up to his standards in the three years since we got him.”
The Nets traded for Williams in February 2011, hoping that he’d be their cornerstone en route to a championship-caliber team. But balky ankles and wavering confidence have held back the All-Star point guard, who has attacked the rim less and less since joining the Nets and led them to two early playoff exits. He averaged 14.1 points and 6.1 assists per game this season, two career-lows since becoming a full-time starter in his sophomore season.
The original report from HoopsCritic alleged a falling-out between Williams and Nets management, particularly Nets general manager Billy King.
But the Nets have not seriously explored the market for Williams — yet, according to a source. They were reportedly offered Jeremy Lin and Omer Asik for Williams by the Houston Rockets this season and rejected the deal, and haven’t explored what the market for him this offseason would be with the season just recently ended.
Williams is owed roughly $63 million through the 2016-17 season.
Contact the author at devin@thebrooklyngame.com.
