Not too long after ESPN’s Marc Stein reported that Deron Williams wants out of Brooklyn, he and the Nets have reached an agreement on a buyout, reports David Aldridge of NBA.com.
Williams had two years, $43.3 million remaining on his deal, and the Brooklyn Nets were determined to rid themselves of that contract. Brooklyn had been looking for trading partners for Williams but was unable to engage any teams in trade discussions. Williams will reportedly receive $25 to $30 million from this buyout.
Once he clears waivers, as Stein reported, Williams is expected to sign with the Dallas Mavericks. He is likely to receive a two-year deal worth $10 million. The Mavericks have over $11 million in cap room since DeAndre Jordan spurned them to re-sign with the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Mavericks made a quick move Thursday evening to fill in their center position by trading for Zaza Pachulia. Obtaining Williams will finally give them a point guard who can ball handle and play make. Dallas has three point guards on the roster, none of which can play make at the caliber of Williams.
Dallas was left high and dry when Jordan scrapped the agreement he had with them to go back to Los Angeles. Things could have been worse, but Mavericks fans now have some hope with Williams expected to join the team.
Last season for Brooklyn, Williams averaged 13.0 points, 6.6 assists, and 3.5 rebounds in 68 games played. At one point of the season, he lost his starting job to Jarrett Jack, but the 31-year-old veteran remained the team’s best play maker and showed flashes of his younger days with a couple of explosive offensive games, most notably in Game 4 during Brooklyn’s first-round matchup against the Atlanta Hawks when Williams scored 35 points.
In Dallas, the three-time All-Star will not have as much pressure to lead the team as he will be playing alongside Chandler Parsons, Wesley Matthews, and Dirk Nowitzki. In the summer of 2012, the Mavericks pursued Deron Williams and failed to acquire him. But his stock has dropped since then, and with the Nets headed for mediocrity, Williams asked out and got his wish.
The Nets may not be done dumping their backcourt players. Joe Johnson is next in line to be moved, as Brooklyn has been looking for suitable deals to unload Johnson’s $24.8 million expiring contract. It’s clear that the Nets are moving in a different direction with Brook Lopez as their centerpiece. They are looking to get younger and are hoping to rebuild as soon as possible.