NBA Free Agency 2012: Why Deron Williams Is a Lock to Re-Sign with Brooklyn Nets

Deron Williams' future is being decided today, more or less. Williams has a meeting scheduled with both Brooklyn and Dallas, and his decision is going to be based on what he gathers from these two meetings.

The Nets' sales pitch will likely tout the prospect of winning in Brooklyn, becoming the first superstar in what they hope to be a long history and the team that they are slowly but surely cobbling together.

Meanwhile, the Mavericks are likely to tout their recent championship, playing with Dirk Nowitzki and playing in Williams' hometown.

At the same time, both will talk about the potential that each team has to sign or trade for Dwight Howard, although the Nets seem to have a better shot at that right now than the Mavericks.

Here, I'm here to give you the scoop before any decision is made. It just makes too much sense for the guy to return to the Nets, even if Dallas has the better situation right now.

Gerald Wallace Is Coming Back

A few weeks ago, Gerald Wallace opted out of the final year of his contract, making it seem as if he was off for greener pastures. But the Nets ended up re-signing him before he could bolt.

Sure, they definitely overpaid for him, giving him $40 million over the next four years, but he's coming back, and it seems that trading their first-round draft pick for him back at the trade deadline wasn't a complete waste.

Wallace isn't someone on whom to base the entire motivation for Williams to re-sign, but having him in Brooklyn is a lot better than not having him in Brooklyn.

They're Making the Necessary Moves

No move has been made yet, but it seems like the Nets could end up with either Joe Johnson or Dwight Howard by the time the season starts.

Sure, they don't have the best package for Howard, but they do have a pretty good shot at Joe Johnson.

It may not seem like Johnson is the guy to help your team to a title, but given a point guard who knows what he's doing, Johnson wouldn't have to rely on himself to make his own shot every time he touches the ball.

After all, Johnson hasn't played with a premier point guard since Steve Nash. Back when Nash was dishing him the ball on the wing when he was in his peak, he put down 45 percent of his shot and 40 percent of his three-pointers, including the 2005 year when he made 48 percent of his three-balls.

Playing with a good point guard again could do wonders for Joe Johnson now that he's declined a bit.

Building a Legacy in Brooklyn vs. Dallas

There's no ignoring this one. The intrigue that comes along with New York City is far and above that which comes along with Dallas.

Don't get me wrong, Dallas is great, but it's not a world-renowned city like New York is.

If Deron Williams were to build his legacy in the greatest city in the world, then he could go down as a legend—something it would take a lot more success to do in Dallas.

He Seems to Like Avery Johnson

It seems crazy that anyone could enjoy hearing Avery Johnson screech at them, but Deron Williams seems to like the guy.

In the biggest stretch for a story in the history of ESPN (and that's saying something), they reported that Avery Johnson attended Deron Williams' birthday party last week. Plus, Williams has said before whether he means it or not that he likes the Nets head coach.

No word yet on whether or not Avery Johnson was in fact able to pin the tail on the donkey.

Cap Space

There may not be much left after Deron Williams and Brook Lopez get their deals, but there's going to be room to add at least one more free agent, which is never a bad thing.

The Nets need a power forward who can help them on both ends of the floor. While Kris Humphries filled the hole in the past few seasons, he's just not that top-notch guy you want, and it doesn't seem like there's any improvement going on there.

Carl Landry, Brandon Bass and Jason Thompson are all interesting options for the Nets to look at, or they could just go back and get another year out of Humphries.

The Big Comrade

It's hard to tell which man commands more attention in the basketball world between Mikhail Prokhorov and Mark Cuban, but there's no doubt about who commands more attention worldwide.

Cuban demands attention with his mouth, his actions and his visibility; Comrade Prokhorov demands attention by existing. He's such an imposing figure, he can walk into a room and say nothing while still grabbing the attention of every single person in there.

Prokhorov is a billionaire, an international playboy, he ran for President of Russia and he owns a team that now resides in New York City. There's something to be said when your team's owner commands that much attention.

Sure, Cuban is cool, but he's not up on a pulpit giving campaign speeches. Should he run for president, then maybe he'll be able to rival Prokhorov.

This Team's Not as Bad as Their Record Indicated

The Nets finished the 2012 campaign with a measly 22-44 record, but was this team really that bad? It seems not.

You've got to look at the fact that Brook Lopez played in just five games, Gerald Wallace was only in town for 16 games and Marshon Brooks played with dings and dents all season long.

With a full training camp, a summer to heal and some more camaraderie between the players on the team, these guys will be threatening to break into the playoffs. Add a decent free agent power forward, and you've got yourself a playoff team.

They Have the Inside Track to Dwight Howard

Now, it's going to be quite difficult for the Nets to trade for Dwight Howard this season, as they don't have the most lucrative package out there, but it's not out of the realm of possibility.

Still, the Nets seem to be the only team that Howard wants to sign a contract with. So what's the shame in saving cap room until next season and signing him once he becomes a free agent?

Howard wants to be a member of the Nets—don't leave reasons out there why he shouldn't be able to become one.

If you are one of those Twitterers, you can follow me @JDorsey33.