NBA Rumors: Deron Williams Should Give Dallas Mavericks Hometown Discount

Deron Williams will be one of the biggest free agents when he hits the market at the end of this season. His current team, the New Jersey Nets, are trying hard to keep him when the team moves to Brooklyn, NY next year. However, Williams would be wise to give his hometown team the Dallas Mavericks a discount to play for them. 

Recently, Williams told New York’s WFAN that there is a 90 percent chance that he would re-sign with the Nets after this season. However, according to Ken Berger at CBSsports.com, Williams could be lured back home to play for the Mavericks.

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Once Williams becomes a free agent, he could get a five-year, $100 million deal to stay with the Nets. Signing with Dallas would net Williams only a four-year, $74 million deal. How much playing in his hometown is worth to Williams would depend, in part, on what pieces the Nets surround him with between now and then.  

Of the teams expected to contend for a championship this season, only Dallas would have the cap space to sign a max player next summer and still have room to do more. If the Mavs used the amnesty provision on Brendan Haywood next summer, they'd be more than $21 million under the cap -- with Dirk Nowitzki still around, draining jumpers.  

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For Williams to give up on the Nets, he would be leaving $26 million on the table. That is a lot of money for anyone to leave behind just to play for his hometown team. However, you have to look at the talent of the Mavericks compared to New Jersey.  

Dallas is coming off of a championship season, where as a team they upset the Miami Heat. If Deron would come to Dallas one year removed from their title, he would be walking onto a team that would only have to go through the Los Angeles Lakers to make the NBA Finals.  

Whereas with the Nets, he has to go through teams with two to three All-Stars in their starting lineup. Having to go through loaded teams on a yearly basis like Miami, Boston and New York will take a toll on his career. 

With Dallas, Williams is a piece to a championship puzzle. He doesn’t have to be the main guy every night for his team to succeed.  

While in New Jersey, if the Nets cannot make a trade for a player like Dwight Howard, he will have to carry this team on his back every night just to make the playoffs. 

Deron can make whatever choice he feels is best for him. If he wants to chase the big contract, then he will stay in New Jersey/Brooklyn. However, if he wants to chase championship, he will sign with Dallas and be their next great point guard. 

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