NBA Free Agent Rumors: Deron Williams Has to Sign Extension with Nets

Deron Williams is one of the better point guards in the NBA. He was the first piece on a New Jersey Nets team that was ready to become relevant in the Eastern Conference.  

Reports are coming out now that Williams wants to play this year in New Jersey, then test the free agent market at the end of the year. He can do that, because he has that option as an NBA player. What Williams should do is re-sign with the Nets instead of leaving for somewhere else. 

According to Williams’ agent, Jeff Schwartz via NorthJersey.com: 

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Deron will not be signing the extension,” Jeff Schwartz told The Record this afternoon. “Based on the new rules it doesn’t make any sense for him to sign the extension. It has nothing to do with how much he likes New Jersey. Because of the rules, he’s going to play the season out and probably opt out of his deal.”

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I’m guessing Williams’ thinks that he can command a big number, like four years, $73 million from a new team. Williams may get that deal after a quick 66-game season. But what happens if he goes down with an injury this year? Then that deal, which he could have signed now, goes down the drain. 

If Williams wants to move from New Jersey because of the team lacking talent, then he should wait and see who the Nets get during free agency. 

It seems as if the Nets are in talks with both Tyson Chandler and Nene, as according to the New York Post: 

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And part of that thinking stressed by Nets general manager Billy King yesterday could involve either Dallas center Tyson Chandler or Denver’s Nene.

“There’s mutual interest,” one source close to the situation with Chandler said last night while another described the two-way interest as “strong.”

But Nene remains the Nets’ preferred target at forward. 

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If the Nets can add either Nene or Chandler, it will make them one of the best eight teams in the NBA. Having a big option down low for Williams to move the ball to should be enough to make the point guard happy.  

Williams can and should do whatever he has to do, to make the most money in his career. He is in a good spot in New Jersey. He just has to stick it out, because it will get a lot better and soon in New Jersey. 

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