Dreaming? Deron Williams linked to Suns once again
Jun 20, 2012, 4:08 PM | Updated: 5:38 pm
New Jersey’s Deron Williams figures to be one of the top
free agents on the market, so it’s understandable the
Phoenix Suns would have some level of interest.
A three-time All-Star, Williams has career averages of
17.6 points and 9.2 assists per game, and is regarded as
one of the best point guards in the NBA.
And, with the Suns possibly losing Steve Nash in free
agency and having a desire to get younger and more
athletic anyway, there are some who think they could be
in the mix for the younger Williams’ services.
Of course, could is the operative word, because as
ESPN’s Chris Broussard points out,
Williams’ top choice is to remain with the Nets, while
signing with his hometown Dallas Mavericks is next in
line.
After that, though, he brings up the Suns, noting they are
probably the “only other team with enough cap room to
offer Williams a maximum contract that can get in the mix
for him.”
The weather and golf (Williams is a huge golf guy) is
great, the offense is free-flowing (something Williams is
definitely looking for) and with him, the team could be on
the rise. While the Suns’ first choice appears to be to
re-sign Nash, the younger Williams is obviously a better
option. I don’t think the Suns could move ahead of Dallas
on Williams’ list, but they should not be completely
discounted, either.
The good news is that he thinks the Suns should not be
discounted, while the bad news is it appears the Suns
really would prefer to re-sign the 38-year-old and
declining Steve Nash over the 27-year-old and in his prime
Williams.
Sure, Nash is still playing well and is the face of the
franchise, but swapping him for Williams, who averaged 21
points and 8.7 assists per game last season, would help
the Suns be competitive now and in the future.
So, the idea that they’d prefer to keep Nash rather than
sign Williams, if given the choice, is a little puzzling.
However, there is no guarantee Nash even wants to stick
around, just like there’s nothing saying Williams actually
wants to head to Phoenix.
So they may not really have a choice between the two,
anyway.
But for now, at least, there’s a chance, and that’s really
about all the Suns could ask for.
