How Deron Williams Re-Signing with the Nets Impacts Market for Dwight Howard

If Dwight Howard needed any more assurance that the Brooklyn Nets were serious about contending down the line, he got it on Tuesday when they re-signed star point guard Deron Williams to a lucrative contract.

According to Ken Berger of CBSSports.com, the Nets signed Williams to a five-year deal worth approximately $100 million:

"

League source confirms Deron Williams and Nets have agreed on a five-year deal. Estimated value is $98.75 million.

— Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) July 3, 2012"

Keep in mind, the Nets already traded for former Atlanta Hawks All-Star guard Joe Johnson, re-signed small forward Gerald Wallace and acquired the rugged Reggie Evans from the Los Angeles Clippers. All of a sudden, they have enough talent on the team to potentially lure Howard to Brooklyn.

Howard would not only be playing for a big-market team, he could provide a powerful tandem with Williams, with enough talent surrounding both of them to make a run in the playoffs.

Of course, for it all to be possible, the Nets would have to put together enough assets and be able to absorb salary from Orlando in a potential Howard deal.

One way that could happen is if they do a sign-and-trade with power forward Kris Humphries. Chris Broussard of ESPN wrote before the Williams deal that the Nets and Magic were discussing a trade that would send Howard to Brooklyn for Humphries, a re-signed Brook Lopez, MarShon Brooks and the Nets' first-round draft picks in 2013, 2015 and 2017. Even after the Williams deal, that is still a possibility.

The fact of the matter is the Nets still have a shot at Howard, which is remarkable considering all they've done so far. They will face stiff competition in the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets, per Yahoo! Sports.

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