4 Potential Moves That Would Keep Deron Williams with Brooklyn Nets

As has been well-documented all season, Deron Williams is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 upon declining his $17.8 million option for 2013.

Over the next few days, the Nets will do everything in their power to convince the 28-year-old point guard to stay with the organization and help them open the new Barclays Center in Brooklyn this fall.

After failing to do anything to improve the team around Williams last year, it's now time for the Nets to conjure up a better situation for the three-time All-Star before he decides to bolt for greener pastures.

Here are four moves the Nets can make to appease D-Will.

1. The Dwight Plan

Brooklyn has long been linked to Dwight Howard in trade rumors. 

It's well known by now that Howard would like to team up with Williams to form a dynamic duo. With the Rockets now making a push to trade for the Orlando center, the Nets need to step their game up and present the Magic with an offer they can't refuse.

With limited assets on hand, it will require a multi-step approach. Job one is to snag the No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 draft from the Bobcats.

The Washington Post's Michael Lee is reporting that Charlotte is willing to part with the No. 2 pick to any team willing to take on Tyrus Thomas as well.

With the Nets way under the salary cap, they can afford to absorb Thomas' deal in order to obtain the second pick.

In exchange, Brooklyn can furnish the Bobcats with the future assets they are looking for in the form of their 2013 first-rounder and a Rockets first-round pick that is lottery-protected until 2016.

Next, the Nets select Thomas Robinson with the No. 2 pick and use him as bait, along with Brook Lopez, the rights to Bojan Bogdanovic (currently stashed overseas) and a 2014 first-round draft pick to acquire Howard from Orlando.

2. Grabbing Gasol

If a play for Dwight goes awry, the next big man in line on the trading block is Pau Gasol.

The Lakers are reportedly shopping Gasol for a high draft pick. Though the Nets can't provide the Lakers with such a pick, they might be able to entice L.A. in other ways.

Say Brooklyn re-signs Gerald Wallace, who will opt out of the final year of his deal, then send him along with Brook Lopez, their 2013 first-rounder, and the Rockets' protected first-round pick for Gasol and Metta World Peace.

The Lakers could compete in the waning years of Kobe's career with Bynum, Lopez, and G-Dub as his supporting cast while also gaining a couple of future assets.

The Nets could pair Deron Williams with the most skilled big man in the NBA and also take a flier on World Peace, who looked rejuvenated at the end of last season before Indiana Ron-ing James Harden.

If Brooklyn re-signs Kris Humphries, Williams would be playing with an excellent frontcourt of Gasol and Humphries next season.

3. A Minnesota Mix

Should no trades for superstars be available, the Nets might have to hang their hopes on convincing Williams that an ultra-quick rebuild will be possible in Brooklyn.

The Nets can offer Minnesota Brook Lopez and Houston's protected first-rounder in exchange for last year's No. 2 overall pick Derrick Williams, former No. 4 overall selection Wes Johnson, Darko Milicic and a future first-round pick.

This deal would provide the Nets with a couple of young assets who may develop considerably in the next year or two or who could at least be valuable trade chips should a superstar become available later this year.

4. The Free Agent Option

Brooklyn's final option is to be the NBA's most aggressive organization in free agency, and they're in position to do just that with the boatloads of cap room they possess.

The Nets can start by matching any offer for Brook Lopez. Then they must go after the best restricted free agent on the market, Eric Gordon, even overpaying him a little if they must.

If they can get those pieces in place, they should go after a value play to pair with Lopez in the frontcourt—someone along the lines of Spencer Hawes or Chris Kaman.

Lastly, they should take fliers on talented but troubled players who will have depressed value on the open market. Guys like Michael Beasley, Anthony Randolph and Terrence Williams are low-risk/high-reward players who can make a big impact on a reasonable salary.

Maybe Mikhail Prokhorov throwing some of that billionaire cash around will show Deron Williams that the owner is willing to spend any amount in order to improve the roster.