NBA Rumors: Nets Need Dwight Howard to Convince Deron Williams to Re-Sign

The Brooklyn Nets were dreaming about dangling the No. 1 pick in front of Deron Williams in order to help convince him to re-sign this offseason.

However, even if the franchise hits the lottery tonight (they only have a 7.5 percent chance at landing the No. 1 selection), they still have some work to do.

According to a report by Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski, D-Will is only interested in staying with Brooklyn if the organization acquires another disgruntled superstar:

"

"It's Dwight Howard or bust," said a league source who has spoken to Williams.

"

The elite point guard has been with the Nets since right before the 2011 trade deadline, and is understandably fed up with the direction of the team. Williams will soon turn 28 years old, and he knows the window to win a championship in his prime will not stay open forever.

His demands aren’t so ridiculous when you compare them to the drama that DH12 put the Orlando Magic through over the past six months.

After waffling between forcing a trade and staying with the franchise, Howard eventually opted-in to his contract for upcoming season. The indecisive center now wishes he did not ink his name to the deal.

Wojnarowski reports:

"

Howard regrets forgoing his early termination option on his 2012-13 contract, sources said, and wants a trade before next season. 

"

As of right now, the Magic do not have a GM in place after parting ways with Otis Smith, but the organization is going to seek the best possible trade for their big man and attempt to move on sooner than later.

A potential deal with the Nets could take shape, but they will still likely need to get lucky in the lottery to make it happen.

"

Sources said the organization would be willing to part with Davis for the chance to pair Howard and Williams for the franchise's move into a new Brooklyn arena next season.

"

Until the ping-pong balls are pulled and the draft order is set, a D-Will, DH12 pairing is nothing more than a pipe dream.

It does seem clear now that a few lucky bounces could impact the future of these stars and alter the fortunes of both the Nets and Magic.