NBA Trade Rumors 2017: Utah Wants Deron Williams Back but Sources Say He's Most Likely Heading to Cleveland
Now that Deron Williams is parting ways with the Dallas Mavericks, reports have it that he is most likely moving to Cleveland. However, there were also earlier rumors that the Utah Jazz wants him back.
After the National Basketball Association trade deadline passed last Thursday, Dallas decided that they would now let go of the veteran point guard. In a text message reportedly sent to news outlets, Mavs head coach Rick Carlisle confirmed that they are planning to build their gameplay around their younger players.
Carlisle said, "At this time the decision has been made to focus on playing our young guys, and the organization felt that giving Deron the freedom to choose his next team was the right thing to do."
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The Dallas Mavericks coach added, "Deron still plays at a high level and I believe he will be a difference-maker for a contending team down the stretch of this season. We wish him and his family the very best."
Shortly after the news that the Mavs had waived Williams made headlines, various sports reporters shared that they got tips from league sources that several teams are interested in getting him.
Shams Charania of The Vertical shared via Twitter that the Mavericks and Williams have also discussed the option of a contract buyout and several teams such as the Cavaliers, Jazz, and Atlanta Hawks might be in play for a trade.
Meanwhile, few minutes after Charania's post, ESPN's Marc Stein shared through Twitter that the Mavericks are willing to settle the remaining amount of Williams' contract if he decides to be a free agent.
Days before the NBA trade deadline arrived, the Utah Jazz was rumored to have been making efforts to re-acquire Williams. But recently, the dominant speculation suggests that the five-time All-star player will most likely land a deal with the Cavaliers.
Cleveland star player LeBron James has been recently vocal that they badly need another playmaker who could help him and Kyrie Irving. The necessity sounded urgent as James said it has to be done if they want to keep the championship title.
Meanwhile, in a report from USA Today, it looks like Cavaliers general manager David Griffin has realized the same thing saying, "Obviously the need for a playmaker still exists and we hope in all of these cases that we're the kind of organization and the kind of team that people want to be part of."
While Griffin declined to comment about Williams, Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue admitted that he "always liked D-Will," adding that an All-star player always means additional great talent for the team.
