Nets' Deron Williams Has Wish List

"Deron Williams' first choice is to stay with the Nets and to build something special in Brooklyn, but if it doesn't work out with his current team, his short list of desirable destinations includes the Mavericks, the Knicks and the Lakers, according to sources close to the situation.

While the league's post-lockout trade buzz has been centered on Chris Paul and Dwight Howard, little attention has been paid to Williams, who like Howard can opt out of his contract and become a free agent after this season.

Williams has publicly stated his desire to re-sign with the Nets, and New Jersey, which views him as a building block for next season's move to Brooklyn, has refused to entertain potential trades involving Williams. Yet both sides know their future together is tied to Howard.

If the Nets are able to obtain Howard, either through a trade before the March 15 deadline or in free agency this summer, Williams will re-sign. If Howard goes elsewhere, Williams is likely to leave New Jersey, according to the sources.

So if Orlando trades Howard before the deadline to a team he plans to re-sign with after the season, such as the Los Angeles Lakers, the Nets will begin exploring trades for Williams, a source said. The Nets, however, will not consider trading Williams until obtaining Howard is no longer a possibility because the club believes it has a great chance of teaming the two together in Brooklyn, if not this season."

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Posted in: Deron Williams,NBA News