One of the main concerns for the Dallas Mavericks, back when they thought they were getting DeAndre Jordan, was who exactly was going to be Jordan’s pick-and-roll partner, as the Mavericks were without a quality starting point guard. Jordan has since gone back, both on his word and to the Los Angeles Clippers, but the Mavericks’ point guard issue still stands. At least, it did, until Deron Williams came along.
According to David Aldridge and Marc Stein, Williams has reached a buyout agreement with the Brooklyn Nets and is expected to sign a two-year deal with the Mavericks.
The Nets and Deron Williams have reached a buyout agreement, per source.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) July 10, 2015
ESPN sources say Deron Williams is expected to sign a two-year deal with Dallas in the $10 million range once he hits the open market
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 10, 2015
As part of his buyout arrangement w/Nets, Deron Williams expected to get in the $25-to-$30 million range and then add Mavs deal on top of it
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 10, 2015
The Mavericks chased Williams at the height of his popularity and powers a few years ago, (in)famously whiffing on him as he returned to the Nets. Williams’ career since that time has taken a sharp downwards turn, thanks to a litany of injuries that robbed him of his quickness and durability. Still Williams did show flashes of his former dominant self towards the end of the regular season and in the Nets’ first-round playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks (remember this?). He won’t be an All-Star caliber player in Dallas, but playing pick and roll with Dirk Nowitzki should do wonders for both him and Dirk.
Williams isn’t what he once was. He’s capable of reaching those levels every now and again, but not for a prolonged amount of time. He’s nevertheless an immediate upgrade over whatever other option the Mavs were considering. If all of the various injury concerns surrounding seemingly every member of the Mavs– from Wesley Matthews to Chandler Parsons to now Williams – are addressed, the Mavericks could have a sneakily effective and dangerous offense next season.
(via David Aldridge and Marc Stein)
