4 Reasons Deron Williams Is Bound to Leave New Jersey

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Not too long ago, Deron Williams was arguably the best point guard in the NBA. 

Now that he's playing for the New Jersey Nets, that is no longer the case. 

Williams is more of an afterthought now.

People seem to have forgotten about him and that most likely doesn't sit well with him, which is why Williams won't be a Net for long.

Disinterested Owner

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Mikhail Prokhorov was the talk of the NBA when he bought the Nets because of his seemingly infinite amount of wealth. 

The Nets were surely headed towards being contenders under Prokhorov. 

False. 

Instead of focusing on just basketball operations, Prokhorov decided to run for president of Russia.

Not to mention that he hasn't made any significant moves to make the Nets better. 

Trading for Williams last season is the lone exception, but even that move wasn't a great one because it wasn't certain that he would sign a long-term contract with the Nets.

He has been successful in clearing cap space for a chance to sign or trade for Dwight Howard, but any team can do that. 

Just ask the New York Knicks. 

They cleared cap space for a chance to sign LeBron James but James ended up signing with the Miami Heat.

Instead, the Knicks signed Amar'e Stoudemire and eventually traded for Carmelo Anthony. They have two great players, but they are a mess nonetheless and don't have the right pieces in order to be contenders.

As you can see, clearing cap space for just one player is highly risky and can have repercussions on a franchise for years. 

Why would a player of Williams' caliber want to play for an owner who isn't going to make the right moves to turn his team into a contender? 

Too Talented

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Deron Williams is in the prime of his career. Why waste it with a team who isn't going to compete for NBA titles in the foreseeable future?

The Nets moving to Brooklyn might persuade Williams into signing with the Nets, but a new arena and a new city doesn't equal championships. 

Williams hasn't received nearly as much attention since he became a Net, probably because of how bad of a team they are. 

However, while with the Utah Jazz, one could argue that Williams was the best point guard in the game. 

He has Chris Paul's passing ability and Derrick Rose's strength and scoring ability. 

Also worth noting is the fact that Williams' career stats are very similar to those of Chris Paul.

Williams knows he's in his prime and he's not going to waste it with the Nets.

Once he leaves New Jersey and signs with a contender, look for Williams to gain national attention once again and to be in contention for the title of best point guard in the NBA.  

It's Possible Dwight Howard Isn't Coming

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Dwight Howard could make or break the Nets. 

If the Nets can trade for or sign Howard in the offseason, they will be able to build around Howard and Williams. 

However, if this were to happen, the Miami Heat and the Chicago Bulls would still be the two best teams in the Eastern Conference.

Williams, Howard and a slew of role players wouldn't be enough to compete with the Bulls and the Heat.

Since Brook Lopez is out with a foot injury, it's highly unlikely the Magic will trade Howard to the Nets.

Even if healthy, it wouldn't make sense for the Magic to acquire Lopez in a trade. Lopez is a seven-footer averaging a mere 7.6 rebounds for his career.

If Howard doesn't get traded and becomes a free agent instead, he won't sign with New Jersey if he wants to win an NBA title. 

It'd be bad news for the Nets if Howard doesn't end up with them. If he doesn't sign then Williams isn't coming back. 

The Nets would not only lose the player they have cleared cap space for, but they will also lose their lone superstar and top scorer.

Also, Mikhail Prokhorov had a vision of opening a new arena in Brooklyn with Howard and Williams. That dream is quickly turning into a nightmare.

Howard being in a Nets uniform next season is up in the air, which means Williams could be taking his talents elsewhere.  

Teams Need Point Guards

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Point guards are in high demand. 

Not just any point guards, exceptionally talented point guards. 

Williams is one of them. 

Some of the best teams in league—the Los Angeles Clippers, the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Chicago Bulls—all boast great point guards.

Because of this, many teams lacking satisfactory point guard performance are looking to improve in that area.

A team such as the Los Angeles Lakers is in dire need of a point guard if they want to contend for an NBA title. 

Coincidentally, the Lakers are on Williams' wish list of teams he would want to play for if it does't work out with the Nets. 

The Lakers aren't the only team in need of a point guard. Other teams such as the Dallas Mavericks would also be interested in Williams' services.

This should make his decision of leaving New Jersey easier. 

The more contending teams want him, the more likely Williams is to join one of them.