Like any smart point guard, Deron Williams is going to look at the teammates he has on the floor and deliver the ball to whoever has the best chance to score. Free agency is no different.
In explaining his decision to stay with the Nets over leaving for the Mavericks, Williams said he was persuaded by the absence of Dallas owner Mark Cuban, who missed a meeting with Williams in New York because he was filming “Shark Tank” in Los Angeles.
But even if Cuban had been there, he couldn’t have offered more money than the Nets ($99 million to $75 million) to Williams, who was in contact with both Mavericks general manager Donnie Nelson and Nets general manager Billy King about the plans of the two NBA franchises. In each case, Williams knew what team he would be joining.
Cuban has said since that the Mavs are now in a better position without Williams, the complaint of an overlooked scorer. Williams’ response signals that Cuban didn’t do enough to get open. In hindsight, both big egos probably weren’t meant to be together.
– Craig Stouffer
