Now that the New Jersey Nets know they have no shot at getting Dwight Howard, will they attempt to trade Deron Williams instead of being at risk of losing him with nothing in return when he opts out of his contract this summer?
ESPN.com is reporting that the Nets would say no to a Pau Gasol-for-Williams swap, and a source told SheridanHoops.com that the only thing that would make the Nets move Williams would be a clear message from him or his agent that he will not make a long-term commitment to the franchise as it readies for its move to Brooklyn.
The Nets master plan for moving forward was to have enough cap space to sign Howard as an unrestricted free agent, then make the move to Brooklyn with a core of Williams, Howard, MarShon Brooks, Brook Lopez and the two No. 1 draft picks they will have this June.
That master plan is now up in smoke, and the Nets may have to think on their feet today if Williams gives them reason to. Already, there is speculation that the biggest winner from the Howard decision is the Dallas Mavericks, who will have the cap space to make a run at Williams over the summer.
But if Williams left the Nets as an unrestricted free agent, he would be eligible for a four-year contract worth approximately $59 million. In Brooklyn, he can get five years and $100 million.
That number is so far off im wondering if you even care. Cap is predicated on NBA revenue, hence, the pperdicted cap is around 61 mil for next year. Also, D will would be eligble for way more in free agency. He’s going to the Mavs…book it.
Correction: Assuming a salary cap of $58 million, DWill’s max first year salary with another team is $17.17 million. He can get a max of 130% his current salary if the cap is above 61 million.
Can’t the Nets just trade for him after the season? Maybe it was agreed upon with the teams (blah blah collusion) that Howard would sign the waiver for next year, and then trade him after the season. Everyone comes out smelling like roses. Magic keep him this year and make their championship run and still able to get back players, Howard stays until year end gets traded and still gets better money then in free agency, Nets make same trade they basically were willing to make today.
DWill max if signing elsewhere at 4 years 59M? Not even close to accurate, and being that far off the mark alters the value of the story.