NBA

Nets’ Williams happy Howard saga’s over

LONDON — Deron Williams had checked out of the Dwight Howard rumors after Team USA’s Las Vegas training camp. Honestly. Too many twists and turns.

So when he woke up Friday and found out Howard was headed to the Lakers, his disappointment was only marginal.

“We went down that road,’’ the Nets’ franchise player said after Team USA made it to the gold-medal game by trouncing Argentina Friday night.

“Mentally I wasn’t in the Dwight sweepstakes anymore. It just got kind of old. I’m happy for him. I know he wanted to get out of Orlando. He did that and he’s going to a great franchise and I wish him the best of luck.’’

At least Superman isn’t in the Eastern Conference any longer.

“It was just a very tough situation for everybody to let go,” Howard told reporters in Los Angeles. “I’m finally glad that it’s over with. Myself and the Magic organization, we can all start over and begin a new career. Today is a fresh new start for all of us.”

“I guess it’s good to have the most dominant big man on the other side of the world, or the country,’’ said Williams, who had six points and six assists in his backup role in the United States’ 109-83 victory over Argentina last night. “That definitely helps.’’

NETS SCHEDULE

It also helps, said Williams, the Nets won’t have to have this Dwightmare hanging over their heads any longer.

“I think [that’s good],’’ Williams said. “[General manager] Billy [King] did everything he could to try get a deal done. They didn’t want to deal with us. What can you do?’’

Williams knows young center Brook Lopez isn’t Howard’s caliber, but he could be good enough to bring Brooklyn a division title if all the new pieces mesh.

“I think so, but only time will tell,’’ Williams said. “We have a lot of tough opponents in our division. We have the Celtics who have been there and done that. We have the Knicks who are playing better. The Sixers, who have Andrew Bynum, a big post presence there.

“We’re going to have a tough division and we’re a new team and we have to figure out how to play together.” But I think Brook is a great piece to have. He’s been injured. He’s been on teams that don’t get much attention. I know he’s looking forward to having a big year.’’

Kobe Bryant, meanwhile, is looking forward to another championship — his sixth — and glowed when talking about the addition of Howard.

“The [Chris Paul] trade fell though — which would have been great deal for us financially and basketball-wise — and, all of a sudden, that gets pulled out from underneath us,’’ Bryant said. “Then they regroup and they come up with something that’s even better.” It’s unprecedented.

“He’s happy to be coming. ,’’ Bryant said. “I told him this is the perfect place for him. Because if you look at history, all the great centers come to L.A. It’s history repeating itself.”

Xmas cheer for Melo

Carmelo Anthony’s holiday season just got more compelling. Not only will the Knicks face Steve Nash and the Lakers on Dec. 25, Santa Claus will present them Superman as a “gift.’’

“It makes the NBA that much more fun, that much more exciting,’’ Anthony said when asked his reaction to Dwight Howard’s trade to the Lakers. “I can’t wait to see them on Christmas.‘’

In one good way, the Lakers’ trade keeps Superman out of Brooklyn but it also improves Atlantic Division rival, the Sixers, who now get Andrew Bynum in the post as part of the four-team trade.

Friday in the victory over Argentina, Anthony had a strange game. He missed his first three shots, missed an uncontested dunk, then went nuts in the fourth quarter with four 3-pointers, including 3’s on three straight possessions.

Anthony, who is playing with a tight hamstring, finished with 18 points and has the team’s leading scoring average at 17.8 points per game.