Deron Williams is one of the most highly coveted free agents this offseason, and the Nets are hoping to fend off suitors and retain him. However, a report published by Yahoo! Sports‘ Adrian Wojnarowski suggests the only way the Nets will be able to keep Williams is if they acquire Dwight Howard from the Magic.
Wojnarowski quoted a source as saying “It’s Dwight Howard or bust,” for the Nets to retain Williams.
The report says the Nets would be willing to trade the top overall pick in the NBA Draft (likely to be Anthony Davis) if they win it in the lottery.
We’ve heard since last December that Williams would remain with the Nets if they get Dwight Howard, so that part of the report is not surprising. But it differs from Sam Amick’s report last week that said Williams was leaning toward staying with the Nets.
Anyhow, Williams heard the Wojnarowski report and decided to place it in proper context:
I would love to know who Adrian Wojnarowski source is bc he knows more about what I’m thinking then I do maybe they can help me decide?
— Deron Williams (@DeronWilliams) May 30, 2012
I think it’s pretty simple with Williams: He needs more time to see what unfolds. He probably wants to go to a team that has talent, and the Nets aren’t there right now. But if they get Dwight Howard, they’ll be competitors. Given how badly Dwight wants to play in Brooklyn, I think it’s likely he ends up there and that Williams stays.
