Deron Williams seeking buyout from Nets to join Mavericks, per report

Deron Williams and the Nets are talking about a possible buyout that would allow Williams to join the Mavericks, ESPN's Marc Stein reports.

The Nets have been trying to move Williams and the remaining $43 million he's owed over the next two years, but there's no market for the declining point guard. The Kings were once interested but now they have Rajon Rondo manning the position.

The Nets have refused to use the stretch provision to reduce the cap hit of Williams' contract but that could change after a buyout. ESPN's Mike Mazzeo and NBA.com's John Schuhmann suggest that if the two parties agree to a buyout equal to 70 percent of the contract and then the Nets use the stretch provision on Williams, they could avoid the repeater tax by just waiving Earl Clark.

Williams would be leaving $13 million on the table but would be a free agent and could choose where to sign. While the Jazz remain a possibility according to the report, the Mavericks appear to be his preferred destination. The Texas native almost signed there the last time he became a free agent but chose to remain with the Nets instead. At the time, Williams was a highly sought-after player. His stock has severely dropped since then due to injuries and general inconsistency.

Williams would still likely represent an upgrade over Devin Harris, J.J. Barea and Raymond Felton. Along with the trade that brought them Zaza Pachulia, signing him would allow the Mavericks to move on from the DeAndre Jordan fiasco with a solid starting five. Williams would share a backcourt with former teammate Wesley Matthews, while Chandler Parsons, Dirk Nowitzki and Pachulia would be the frontcourt.

Williams averaged 13 points and six assists in 39 percent shooting from the field last season. The Nets made the playoffs but were bounced in the first round by the Hawks.