Everyone has their own theory about where New Jersey Nets star point guard Deron Williams is headed. Some think he’ll be out of a Nets uniform before the trade deadline, others think he’ll sign somewhere else as soon as the season is over. Whatever the outcome, Williams doesn’t want to talk about it. He’s clearly frustrated with reporters who keep telling him that “sources” are saying he wants to be somewhere else.
“Did you hear it from me? We don’t need to talk about it then,” Williams said on Saturday before the Nets lost to the Thunder. “Another one of these sources. Sources. I don’t know who sources are.”
The Nets are now 5-12 and not showing any signs of improvement. Williams has said he’d love to have Dwight Howard on his team, but with the Orlando Magic playing well, it might make Howard think twice before leaving.
I’m not sure if Williams snapping at reporters is a sign of frustration because they’re calling him out on what he’s really thinking or if he really just doesn’t want to talk about it. Williams’ coach Avery Johnson just kind of shrugged off the whole thing.
“You know me, I have fun with the word ‘sources,’” Johnson said. “It’s pretty funny. The main thing is he put a lot of that to rest before the season and that’s why I don’t even talk about it anymore. June 30 (start of free agency) is a long time off.”
So Johnson doesn’t think they’ll be shipping Williams off anywhere before the trade deadline in March, but he doesn’t rule out Williams signing with another team before next year.
Williams needs to understand that this is what reporters do, they ask annoying questions about any sort of speculation they hear. It may be irritating but it’s their job. The rumors aren’t going to stop until he gets traded somewhere or signs with a team, whether it be the Nets or anyone else. For now, Williams says he’s fine staying with the Nets, we’ll see if that lasts.
