Deron Williams plans to opt out of deal with Mavs
DALLAS -- Deron Williams intends to opt out of the second season of his contract with the Dallas Mavericks, sources told ESPN.com.
Williams, who could have made $5.6 million next season, plans to seek a multi-year deal that could be the final contract of his career, the sources said. There will be mutual interest in his return to Dallas after he averaged 14.1 points and 5.8 assists this season.
"I would love to be back," Williams said during exit interviews this week. "This was a great year for me. My family is settled and happy here, so it'd definitely be great to be back."
Williams, a native of the Dallas area, needs surgery to repair the sports hernia that caused him to miss most of the Mavs' playoff series loss to the Thunder but should be completely healthy entering training camp. He estimated his recovery timetable after the operation to be six weeks.
Williams has admitted that he was miserable during his stint with the Brooklyn Nets, who bought him out of the final two years of his contract for $27 million last summer. He said he enjoyed basketball for the first time in years this season in Dallas.
Williams will be among the top point guards available in free agency this summer. Mike Conley is clearly the premier free agent at the position, with Williams in a group that includes Rajon Rondo, Jeremy Lin and restricted free agent Jordan Clarkson.
