NEW YORK — Deron Williams is moving to Brooklyn with the Nets, instead of back home to Dallas.
The All-Star point guard said on his Twitter page Tuesday night that he “made a very tough decision today” and posted a picture of the Nets’ new team logo that accompanies their move from New Jersey to Brooklyn.
A person with knowledge of the decision said Williams told the team he was accepting their five-year contract worth $98 million. The person confirmed the agreement on condition of anonymity because contracts can’t be signed until July 11.
Williams, the top free agent available, chose to stay with the Nets over signing with the Mavericks, who hoped they could convince him to come back to the area where he grew up.
It’s a huge triumph for the Nets as they prepare to move into the new Barclays Center to start the 2012-13 season. They gave up an enormous package to get Williams in a surprising February 2011 trade, sending promising forward Derrick Favors, point guard Devin Harris, two first-round draft picks and cash to the Utah Jazz.
But it was worth it for the Nets, who needed a franchise player with them to build buzz for their move to New York.
Williams wanted to make a quick decision before he reports to training camp in Las Vegas with the U.S. men’s basketball team on Thursday. He met with both teams Monday, the day after free agency opened, and made his Twitter posting at about 7 p.m. ET.
Williams’ decision comes a day after the Nets agreed to a deal with Atlanta for All-Star guard Joe Johnson, and amid reports they are still hoping to make a deal with Orlando for Dwight Howard. Brooklyn also has a deal in place to re-sign versatile free agent forward Gerald Wallace.
Odom out, U.S. men
down to 15 players
for 12 spots
USA Basketball says Lamar Odom won’t try to earn an Olympic roster spot, leaving the Americans with 15 players for 12 spots.
Odom informed USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo and coach Mike Krzyzewski that he was unable to play this summer. He had previously been expected to take part in training camp this week despite a difficult season in which he and the Dallas Mavericks parted ways early.
With the Americans lacking size up front, Odom’s departure could strengthen new Clippers teammate Blake Griffin’s hopes of making the team, or perhaps open the door for Memphis’ Rudy Gay.
The remaining players that are expected to report to camp Thursday in Las Vegas are: LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, Deron Williams, Chris Paul, Tyson Chandler, Kevin Love, Russell Westbrook, Andre Iguodala, James Harden, Eric Gordon and rookie Anthony Davis. Davis sprained his ankle Saturday, and his status is not yet known.
Cavs interested
in Brandon Roy
CLEVELAND — Brandon Roy wants to make a comeback, and the Cavaliers may give him a chance to do it with them.
The Cavs are interested in the former Portland Trail Blazers star, who abruptly retired before last season because of chronic knee pain. A person familiar with Cleveland’s interest told the Associated Press on Tuesday that the Cavaliers have not spoken to the 27-year-old or set up a visit with him. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the sides are only in preliminary discussions.
A three-time All-Star, Roy spent five seasons with the Trail Blazers and blossomed into one of the NBA’s rising young stars. He announced his retirement in December, surprising his teammates and Portland’s front office.
After sitting out the lockout-condensed season, Roy wants to try and resume his once promising pro career, and there are several teams other than the Cavs interested in seeing if he can still play.
According to a person familiar with the situation, Roy met earlier this week with the Golden State Warriors. The club is hoping to meet with him again.
The Cavs, who are approximately $20 million under the salary cap, will undoubtedly give Roy a thorough medical checkup before deciding whether to sign him.
Roy averaged 19 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 321 career games. He played in pain during his final two seasons in Portland and has said he lacks cartilage in both knees.
He was the No. 6 overall pick in the 2006 draft by Minnesota, which traded him to the Blazers.
In other Cavs news, the team won’t have to match any offers for free agent center Semih Erden, who has signed a two-year contract to play in his native Turkey. Erden averaged 3.5 points and 2.6 rebounds last season. Cleveland made the 7-footer a qualifying offer last week, making him a restricted free agent. The Cavs could have matched any offers made to Erden by NBA clubs.
Also, Cavs director of player personnel Wes Wilcox has left the team to become Atlanta’s assistant general manager under Danny Ferry, who took over as the Hawks’ GM last week.
Sacramento’s
‘Plan B’ for new
arena declared dead
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson’s “Plan B” to build a new sports arena is dead.
The second option for a new arena for the Sacramento Kings — or any other professional sports tenant — never really took shape. Johnson said Tuesday that the city and arena operator AEG have concluded that the financial model is not viable for the region without an anchor sports tenant.
Kings owners Joe, Gavin and George Maloof pulled out of a plan to help finance an arena earlier this year, saying it didn’t make financial sense for the franchise. The team has not commented about any arena project since but has maintained the franchise intends to stay in Sacramento.
AP Sources:
Rockets to
meet with Lin today
NEW YORK — Jeremy Lin will visit the Houston Rockets today, two people with knowledge of the plans said, and the New York Knicks restricted free agent is expected to get a contract offer.
The Rockets waived Lin last December, and he was claimed by the Knicks, turning into a breakout star when he landed the starting point guard job. Now with Goran Dragic not expected to return, Houston may want Lin back.
One of the people told The Associated Press on Tuesday the Rockets are planning to make Lin a multiyear offer, though the Knicks can match it and have said they intend to keep him. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the negotiations were to remain private.
The Rockets liked Lin, but had Kyle Lowry and Dragic ahead of him and needed to open a spot so they could add Samuel Dalembert to the roster. So they waived Lin, a decision general manager Daryl Morey would later write on Twitter that he regretted during Lin’s sensational February stretch that made him the biggest story in the NBA.
The undrafted guard from Harvard, the NBA’s first American-born player of Chinese or Taiwanese decent, would fit nicely with the Rockets, who remain popular in Asia even after former center Yao Ming’s retirement.
But both coach Mike Woodson and general manager Glen Grunwald have said the Knicks planned to keep Lin, who averaged 14.6 points and 6.2 assists in 35 games, 25 starts, before his season ended because of surgery to repair torn knee cartilage.
The Knicks may have to match two offers to keep their starting backcourt intact. Landry Fields plans to sign an offer sheet with the Toronto Raptors that his agency said is worth about $20 million over three years.
The Knicks are looking for veteran point guard help, hoping to land Steve Nash, but they don’t want to lose Lin, whose popularity made them fans around the world and had merchandise flying off the shelves at Madison Square Garden. They scored their highest TV ratings in years during the height of “Linsanity.”
Deals can’t be signed until July 11. The Knicks would then have three days to match.
Pacers, George
Hill agree to deal
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Pacers and point guard George Hill have agreed to a new deal.
Hill’s co-agent, Michael Whitaker, wrote in a text message Tuesday that Hill, a 26-year-old restricted free agent, will sign once the NBA’s moratorium period ends on July 11. He did not disclose terms.
Hill joined the Pacers after a draft-day deal in 2011 that sent Indiana draft pick Kawhi Leonard to San Antonio, and he averaged 9.6 points and 2.9 assists per game last season. He began the season as a productive player off the bench, then became the starter after Darren Collison was hurt and kept the job through the Pacers’ playoff run.
The Pacers are still trying to reach a deal with free agent center Roy Hibbert.
