CBS Sports is reporting that the Brooklyn Nets are poised to win the Deron Williams sweepstakes, and that despite the optimism of the Dallas Mavericks, Williams won't be wooed back home to Texas:
Four rival executives and a fifth person familiar with Williams' thinking told CBSSports.com Tuesday that the Mavericks are becoming increasingly worried that the All-Star point guard will stay with the Nets when the free-agent floodgates open Sunday.
If there's a grain of salt to be found, it's that this latest report contradicts rumors from just a week ago. CBS Sports reported that a high-ranking executive in the sneaker industry said that Williams preferred to join the Mavs - even at a hometown discount - rather than stay with the Nets organization.
One things' for certain - the silly season has begun for those vying for Williams' services:
Williams' birthday was not overlooked by the Nets, who sent a truck to Williams' New York City apartment with a "Happy Birthday Deron" sign and the new Brooklyn logo emblazoned on the side.
For all the latest news and notes on the Mavericks free agency plans, stay tuned to the SB Nation Dallas story-stream as well as Mavs Moneyball.