February 2011, the Brooklyn Nets acquired Deron Williams via trade from the Utah Jazz. That move at the time was acquiring debatably, the best point guard in basketball, but the times change oh so quickly.
It’s 2015, and Williams is a shell of the franchise player he was for the Jazz due to many injuries. The Nets’ offseason will be a very important one for Nets General Manager Billy King, who has the huge task of shedding salaries and keeping free agent Brook Lopez.
So buying out Williams would be an option, except the Nets have no plans on doing that.
Williams scored a 5 year, $98 million contract in the summer of 2012, and according to David Aldridge a buy out would net him $43 million to not play. The Nets’ also have another huge contract on the books from his backcourt mate Joe Johnson. Johnson is in his final year, and is due to make $24.8 million this upcoming season.
After a 4-2 1st round exit in the NBA Playoffs to the Atlanta Hawks, Hollins addressed the media on Williams’ play saying “Williams is no longer a franchise player.”
Though harsh for the once superstar, Williams doesn’t reflect an image of a cornerstone for any NBA team anymore. The problem for the Nets will be if their will be any suitors in taking Williams and his huge contract.
