NBA Rumors: Deron Williams' Comments Make It Obvious He Isn't Signing with Nets

The only way Dwight Howard would ever decide to play for the New Jersey Nets is if Deron Williams sticks around.

Don’t bet on it.

The free agent-to-be has endured a forgettable tenure in his first full year with the team and the organization has made few moves to give him hope for the future.

The 27-year-old All-Star point guard conducted an interview with Eric Pincus of HoopsWorld and sounded like a man with one foot already out the door, saying, "I don’t know where I’m going to be next season, and I have to be ready to take my game to the next level, wherever I am."

Generic enough. But it’s his next statement that really gives you the sense he will not tolerate the stench of losing any longer:

"

I feel good about where I am in my career. I’ve accomplished a lot of things individually, and that’s been great. I’ve been recognized as an All-Star and that sort of thing, but what I really want now is to win a championship. The individual stuff is great, but I’m ready to chase a bigger team goal.

"

The bigger goal is not within his grasp when he is dumping the ball to Kris Humphries on the block. Right now, the organization’s primary concern is making the move to Brooklyn go smoothly and cultivating a new fanbase. The Larry O’Brien trophy isn’t walking through those doors anytime soon.

Williams isn’t dumb. He knows this. That’s why he’s already planning his exit. Why team up with Howard in Brooklyn when he can do it in his hometown of Dallas?

The Mavericks are in a position to offer at least one mega deal, and potentially two depending on if they use the amnesty clause in the offseason.

A Williams-Howard-Dirk Nowitzki combination is scary.

A Williams-Howard-Humphries trio smells like a first-round exit.

The front office of New Jersey surrendered Derrick Favors, Devin Harris and two first-round picks to acquire Williams, and right now it looks like that may have been the biggest mistake in the history of the franchise.

He doesn’t want to endure another rebuilding process anymore. He doesn’t need to be the guy carrying a team on his back. Judging by today’s comments, he is ready to sacrifice touches, minutes and his numbers for the greater good of winning a championship.

The only move New Jersey can make to keep Williams is trading for Howard before the trade deadline and allowing the two to play together. Maybe their chemistry will be off the charts and it will breed serious excitement for next year.

Sounds great, but the odds of this happening seem to be dwindling by the day.

The Nets are in huge trouble and only have until March 15 to figure it all out.