NBA Trade Rumors: Is Deron Williams Still a Possibility for New York Knicks?

Deron Williams was dealt to the New Jersey Nets in one of the most shocking deadline deals in recent memory.

But just how long will he be there?

Williams, who was reportedly stunned by the trade after the initial news broke, is far from a lock to remain with the Nets long-term. Aside from Brook Lopez, there isn't a whole lot to like about the roster.

While the addition of D-Will certainly helps the Nets begin to turn the corner and head toward the right direction, Williams has given no indication whatsoever that he's content with being there for the long haul.

Unlike Carmelo Anthony, Williams is not eligible to sign a contract extension until July 9th, just a short time after the current Collective Bargaining Agreement is set to expire on June 30th.

The Nets have the talented point guard under contract through 2012, at which point he can opt out and become a free agent. So while Williams is a lock to remain with the team for the duration of this season and all of next (barring trade), it's very much up in the air as to which team he will put pen to paper after his current deal concludes.

With the team having swung and missed in a big way last off season after failing to lure in a single big name free agent, the acquisition of Williams shows future potential free agents that they are indeed serious about turning around the downtrodden franchise. 

Center Brook Lopez has really failed in trying to serve as the face of the franchise, and the Nets are hoping that Williams will finally provide a much needed identity. Make no mistake about it, they acquired D-Will with the intention of trying to make him the piece that this team is built around.

With a good chunk of change set to come off the books at season's end, they will once again be players in the free agent market. However, the Nets need to stay away from overpaying lower tier free agents as they did in this past year.

Perhaps it was out of panic after not being able to sell anyone on New Jersey, but the deals given to Travis Outlaw (five years, $35 million), Jordan Famar (three years, $12 million) and Johan Petro (three years, $10.5 million) are simply inexcusable. Not a single of those three players have shown to be worth the contract each one has signed thus far.

Mikhail Prokhorov is hoping to sell Williams on the idea of being the focal point of a re-shaping franchise bound for the bright lights of Brooklyn. But how will it be received by Williams, who didn't seem very receptive to the idea of the trade when he was first notified?

If there are already doubts in his mind before he ever joins the team, it's hard to say what will make him embrace his new surroundings as a potential new place to call home.

Although it is widely assumed that the Knicks are thought to be pursuing Chris Paul in the summer of 2012 when he, along with Williams, becomes a free agent, it's no lock that CP3 will head to NYC. 

The Knicks have not discussed the issue publicly as it would result in a tampering violation, but it's no secret that they're clearing cap space to target one of the two best point guards in the league.

On a team built around Amar'e and Carmelo, the Knicks may very well target D-Will regardless of what Paul winds up doing.

I would.