NBA Rumors: Deron Williams to Mavericks Through Free Agency a Nightmare for Nets

Well, this certainly helps explain a lot when concerning the Dallas Mavericks situation.

We found it a little strange when we heard of a player with as great an impact on his team as Tyson Chandler would be let go with little resistance despite being a part of a franchise where the owner is a billionaire that's willing to throw money around in order to get the best team possible.

Now we have found the true reason as to why the Mavericks could be stingy this offseason. As it turns out, they too have bigger ideas for the future with the team possibly looking to acquire New Jersey Nets point guard Deron Williams via free agency next year.

With Jason Kidd set to retire and Rodrigue Beaubois being the possible starter, the Mavericks will be looking for a player to carry on the legacy of being the star player for Dallas while Dirk Nowitzki begins to hit the decline and nears retirement.

The Nets traded for Williams midway through the 2010-'11 season as a means to finally bring some attention back to the franchise as well as create some overall improvement from a squad that had just finished 12-70 the year before. With the franchise set to move to Brooklyn, bringing Williams in was a strategic move by the organization to bring some attention from their new fanbase as well as head into their new city with a quality team.

He played in 12 games last year and showed off a great awareness of his new surrounding as he had a 20-assist game before finishing his time with the Nets averaging 13 assists per. Considering that he was working with Brook Lopez and Anthony Morrow as his top scoring threats, Williams averaging 13 assist per on a team with a lowly offense truly shows how much of an influence the All-Star point guard can have on the game.

The Nets will, of course, plan on re-signing Williams next summer when he does become a free agent and it's also been reported that Deron will be looking to stay with the Nets. The point guard and the Nets are expecting big changes to come their way soon as they look forward to making a run at center Dwight Howard by attempting to land him via trade or possibly waiting until their time to sign him when he becomes a free agent along with Williams.

While Williams is nearly certain that he'll be staying with the Nets by re-signing with them next year, you have to think that most of that assumption is going to be based on by how heavily the team pursues Howard. Williams wants to be a part of a winning formula in New Jersey and the only way that's going to happen is if the team signs Howard and possibly brings in a few more role players.

It doesn't help that a team like the Mavericks is going to be looking towards Williams for his services. Unlike New Jersey—which has been a part of mediocrity over the past few years—the Mavs have been one of the NBA's most prestigious franchises with 11 consecutive seasons of at least 50 wins and two NBA Finals appearances with one championship win to show for it.

The franchise is lucky enough to be owned by Mark Cuban, who is one of the more frivolous owners and has his team near the top in terms of teams' salary. If he's willing to allow players like Tyson Chandler to walk after this offseason, then there's no doubt that he's looking to open his check book next offseason.

If Williams were to join Dallas, he would be nearly guaranteed success. Unlike with the Nets where we base their future success on speculation and not much else, the Mavericks can give Williams the soothing feeling of being on a team that's championship-ready and willing to build around him. Waiting on Howard to sign with the Nets is a huge stretch, as he's set to receive offers from the likes of the Los Angeles Lakers and his current team in the Orlando Magic.

If it could get any scarier for the Nets, then they should take note that the Mavericks would be under the salary cap if they decide to use the amnesty clause on Brendan Haywood and his $50 million-plus contract which would make Dallas the only championship-caliber team to be under the salary cap and potentially sign a max-deal player.

Oh, and one more thing: Williams just so happens to be from Dallas. I'll let that sink in, whatever is left of the New Jersey Nets fanbase.

The Nets will have a lot on their plate this offseason and the following one when Williams and their intended target in Howard hit free agency. This years offseason may be just as important as it will be now when the Nets can begin spending some money to possibly bring in a solid role player or two to help strengthen the club in order to keep Williams around and give Dwight a reason to join.

Deron may be pretty sure about re-signing with the Nets at this point in his tenure, but with lucrative offers coming from championship-caliber teams like the Mavericks set to hit Williams, the Nets will have to begin making their significant moves early and often in order to truly convince the two-time All-Star to stick around for the long haul.