Given that the Brooklyn Nets lack draft picks and financial flexbility -- and, by extension, short-term hope -- there was some speculation that they could give Deron Williams the Josh Smith treatment. Williams has two years and $43 million left on his contract, but Brooklyn could buy him out and use the stretch provision to pay him that sum over five years. If they did that, they'd clear almost $13 million in salary next season. According to NBA.com's David Aldridge, though, that is "not in the cards."
It's understandable that the Nets wouldn't want to pay Williams that money to not play basketball. It's also kind of sad that this is even a discussion. Just a few years ago, he was a truly elite point guard. He was supposed to be Brooklyn's franchise player. Injuries and inconsistency have marked his tenure with the Nets, and the organization desperately needs to start over. The most memorable moment from in 2014-2015 was probably when Paul Pierce said Williams didn't want to be an MVP-type player and didn't handle the major-market spotlight well. On the season, he averaged 13 points, 6.6 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game, shooting a career-low 38.7 percent from the field.
Due to his declining game and enormous contract, it's hard to picture many realistic trade scenarios involving Williams this summer. If Brooklyn doesn't want to use the stretch provision, it seems likely he'll stick around for at least one more season. The Nets need major changes, though, so it'll be interesting to see if the front office can find a deal that makes sense. General manager Billy King reportedly wants to keep Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young, but it sounds like the plan is to shake everything else up.
