New Jersey Nets coach Avery Johnson fears losing Deron Williams to the Dallas Mavericks – NBA Update
New Jersey Nets head coach Avery Johnson has conceded that the Dallas Mavericks are a threat to sign star point guard Deron Williams in the summer. Johnson’s comments came as his side was preparing to face the Mavericks in the American Airlines Center, Dallas.
Nets star Deron Williams can opt out of his contract with the franchise at the end of this season, a step he has already declared he will take. Although Williams has hinted, and it would make most sense financially, that he would re-sign with the Nets, Johnson knows things aren’t that simple, especially with the Mavericks waiting in the shadows.
“He’s a threat, OK?” Johnson said of Dallas Mavericks charismatic owner Mark Cuban Monday night.
Johnson was a player for the Mavericks before Cuban made him head coach of the side from 2005-to-2008. Avery therefore is aware of the kind of person Mark Cuban is, and he feels the Mavs owner will do his best to get Williams snapped up.
“I know the guy. I think because of the success he’s had -- and I know he got criticized a lot for quote-unquote having all those years where he didn’t win a championship -- but he’s had some great success here that rivals any situation. So that’s a threat.”
The Mavericks, reigning NBA World Champions, have manoeuvred well to retain plenty of flexibility in their salary cap for the coming summer. Mavericks have always eyed the summer because not only Williams, but Orlando Magic super star Dwight Howard too will be available as a free agent.
Although the Mavs might have space to accommodate both, it is believed that they would at least get their hands on one, and Deron is a native of Dallas.
Williams has family in the town and although he wouldn’t be drawn into talk about his future, the All Star point guard conceded that he loves to perform at the American Airlines Center.
“I’ve always liked playing here,” Williams said. “This is one of my favourite arenas to play in, probably my favourite arena to play in. I just enjoy playing in it. I enjoy playing in front of my friends and family.”
The Mavericks would want nothing better than to pair the star point guard with their German talisman Dirk Nowitzki next season. In a dream scenario, Dallas could even sign Dwight Howard to make it a triple-threat rivalling the one in Miami.
New Jersey meanwhile have plans of their own, which centre around retaining Deron as they move into a new arena and trying to temp Howard to forsake Orlando for Brooklyn, when the franchise moves there next season.
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