While many in Dallas worried that the Brooklyn Nets wouldn't take on Joe Johnson's gargantuan deal unless it guaranteed Deron Williams would stay, that apparently is not the case:
Multiple sources say Joe Johnson deal is not contingent on Nets re-signing Willams as team is committed to nabbing Nash if D-Will bolts
— Stefan Bondy (@NYDNInterNets) July 2, 2012
Instead, the deal feels like a hedge from the Nets front office to ensure they will have a respectable team as they open their new stadium in Brooklyn, regardless of what the top free agent on the market decides.
The one thing the Nets had over the Mavericks in the Williams sweepstakes was the opportunity of cap room to more easily pursue Dwight Howard; now they are offering a capped-out team with Brook Lopez, Gerald Wallace and Johnson.
It's not a bad squad, and it could even make the second round of the playoffs, but it's certainly not that more appealing than Dirk Nowitzki and maneuverability into the future, which is what Dallas is offering.
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.