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The Brooklyn Nets have re-signed three-time NBA All-Star and USA Basketball guard Deron Williams, Nets General Manager Billy King announced tonight. According to multiple reports, the deal is for five years and $98 million.
“We are obviously thrilled that Deron will lead the Nets into our new home in Brooklyn,” said King. “Deron is in my opinion the top point guard in the NBA. With his leadership and guidance on and off the court, the fans of Brooklyn should be proud.”
“I am really excited to be able to officially say that Brooklyn is home,” said Williams. “It is an incredible time to play in Brooklyn and to be a part of this organization, the first sports team to call Brooklyn home in over 50 years. I believe in the team and what we are going to be able to accomplish on the court, as well as in the community. My family and I have come to know New York and the more we do, the more we love it. I look forward to going to London to represent the United States in the Olympics and then coming back to Brooklyn to open Barclays Center.”
Williams appeared in 55 games with the Nets in 2011-12, and averaged a career-best 21.0 points (9th in NBA), 3.3 rebounds, 8.7 assists (5th in NBA) and 1.2 steals in 36.3 minutes. He tallied 22 double-doubles (3rd in NBA) along with scoring a career-high/Nets franchise-high 57 points, 16-29 FG’s and 21-21 FT’s, in 38 minutes at Charlotte on March 4, 2012.
Williams, (6-3, 209), was selected third overall in the first round of the 2005 NBA Draft by Utah. The Illinois product and seven-year NBA veteran holds career averages of 17.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 9.2 assists and 1.1 steals in 35.7 minutes per game.
In 506 career games, including 473 starts, Williams has shot .455 (3,175-6,978) from the field, .351 (642-1,828) from three-point range and .812 (1,918-2,361) from the free throw line.
In 44 career postseason games, Williams has averaged 21.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 9.6 assists and 1.2 steals 40.4 minutes, while shooting .458 (308-672) from the field and .796 (238-299) from the line.
Williams is a three-time All Star (2010, 2011, 2012), made the All-NBA Second Team in 2008 and 2010, won a gold medal as part of Team USA at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, was a member of the All-Rookie First Team in 2006 and became only the third player in NBA history to have 1500+ points and 800+ assists while shooting .500+ from the field in a single season in 2007-08 (Magic Johnson, 1986-87, 1988-89 and Kevin Johnson, 1988-89). Williams will make his second Olympic appearance this summer in London as a member of Team USA.
