Up Next, Deron Williams? Probably not.
While new Denver GM may be far from committing to a trade of Carmelo Anthony, another big name might be hitting the market, with An exec from the West saying that he suspects Deron Williams will be the next guy on the hot stove. We’ve talked about Melo, we’ve talked about Chris Paul. Williams would represent the logical next step in a progression of star players perhaps disgruntled by the direction of their longtime team. Utah let Carlos Boozer slip to Chicago, and while Al Jefferson is a good replacement, the Jazz have failed to take the “next step” in the playoffs – so some might argue that this should come as a surprise to no one.
Most Deron rumors have centered around his potential free agency in the summer of 2012, the same year Chris Paul could hit the market. That year, Deron would have to turn down a $17.78 million option. Trading for Deron would put the Knicks on the hook for about $31.3 million over the next two years, discounting the third year (the player option year).
Deron might be the toughest player to pry away of the big three trade targets. Carmelo obviously has the most leverage, being in the last year of his contract, and Paul has a legitimate point in the lack of complementary pieces. Deron, meanwhile, is on a top team in the West who is far from being in rebuilding mode. Sure, Boozer’s in Chicago, but there’s little doubt Utah will make and contend in the playoffs.
Unlike Paul and Melo, Deron’s qualms about the direction of his club have been few and far between. While he has grumbled about some of the team’s moves, he seems to have accepted the direction the front office is taking the team. Utah is not going to actively shop their team’s best player, so it would be up to Deron to make some noise. I have my doubts.
Quick Links: Debunking the CP3 over Deron myth | Why Deron Will Leave Utah for Dallas | Why Deron Won’t Leave Utah for Dallas
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