The Nets were not caught by surprise by Deron Williams’ agent claiming the point guard would not sign an extension instead of opting out at season’s end.
“Jeff and I had spoken about Deron’s contract situation and I am very comfortable with their decision,” Nets general manager Billy King said of agent Jeff Schwartz’s proclamation that Williams would not sign an extension.
The only surprise would have been if Williams did sign. It makes absolutely no financial sense to extend.
Williams is due $16,359,805 this season and $17,779,458 next. Add on the $39,559,293 he could get through a two-year extension and he could earn $57,338,751.
But if Williams waits, opts out and re-signs with the Nets, he could haul in $100,050,000 million. So unless he looks at $42,711,249 as chump change, he would be far better off to wait and re-sign with the Nets, who can give him five years.
If he looks to sign elsewhere after opting out, Williams could get a four-year extension bringing his package to a value of $74,298,000. So he’d be walking away from $25,752,000.
Even Williams doesn’t get all the fuss.
Williams tweeted Thursday, “Don’t know why people are tripping just bc I’m opting out doesn’t mean that I won’t resign with the nets! W/new CBA it makes sense.”
“Deron will not be signing the extension,” agent Jeff Schwartz told The Record. “Based on the new rules it doesn’t make any sense for him to sign the extension. It has nothing to do with how much he likes New Jersey. Because of the rules, he’s going to play the season out and opt out of his deal.”
So the Nets are going about their chief priority now, building a roster to keep Williams in that same frame of mind. The Dwight Howard trade scenario is viewed as down-the-road because Orlando will do all in its power to keep the All-Star center.
So the Nets are looking at two other bigs, Nene and Tyson Chandler, and NBA sources rate the Nets’ chances as favorable for either. The Nets’ preference is Nene.
Williams, who was acquired last season by the Nets in a trade from Utah, played during the NBA lockout for Turkish club Besiktas.
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Johan Petro, who showed up to work out at Nets headquarters, played with Nene in Denver, and said he would be a great fit for the Nets.
“Nene is a strong big. That was a concern last year,” Petro said. “I think everybody knew we were kind of, a little soft they called us last year down in the low post. I think he could help. He could help any team actually. With his talent and the size he is, he could help any team.
“He is a more face (up), drive type guy and he could pass the ball like crazy. People don’t realize that but he could really pass the ball. He could be a strong four. He could take any big off the dribble,” Petro concluded.
With NewsCore