Deron Williams stint with his hometown Dallas Mavericks was short and relatively unsuccessful. After securing his release from the Brooklyn Nets over two years ago, the plan was for Williams to head to Texas and hoop for the city he grew up in. Things didn’t go according to plan between Williams injury issues and the Mavs lack of success. Williams was waived and he was free to join the potential championship contending Cleveland Cavaliers.
Some think this is the final stand for Williams in the NBA, the last run towards that all elusive ring but others believe that Williams actually might not be done quite yet and could potentially head back to his original NBA home, the Utah Jazz. His tenure didn’t end well with the Jazz as the former All-Star seemingly forced longtime head coach Jerry Sloan to retire and then he forced his way out of Utah to join the Nets. Time does heal all wounds, I suppose.
But the Jazz might have a big decision coming with the impending free agency of George Hill. It’s a high possibility that Utah could also look towards Williams as an option at point guard.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst was a part of the recent TrueHoop podcast alongside fellow ESPN writer Tim MacMahon, Washington Post NBA writer Tim Bontemps and TrueHoop staple, Big Wos. You can listen to the full podcast here.
Brian Windhorst was talking about George Hill’s future with the Jazz and the potential options for a life after Hill.
(discussion begins at about the 14-minute mark)
Tim MacMahon to Windhorst – “Leme ask you this. Would you rather go big money, four years on George Hill or much lesser money, short term, to bring back Deron Williams, who desperately wants to come back and finish his career in Salt Lake City where he has not one but two homes. One of which George Hill is living in right now.”
….
TM – “I’m sure part of it is he wants to kinda rewrite his final chapter in Utah. He wants redemption. He loves the area. Obviously, he has a much better chance at winning a championship in Cleveland, which is why he’s there to finish this season. But with the Jazz, it is a chance to be in a competitive situation.
Big Wos – “MacMahon you know damn well you ain’t bringing back Deron Williams in favor of letting George Hill go for extra money. Like, why?”
TM – “Because you look at paying George Hill 30 some odd million at the age 35 and you’re really terrified about that.”
