By: Tyler Ward
The Nets received much criticism after dismantling their team to acquire point guard Deron Williams because most were weary that Williams would not like it in Jersey.
Many questions were immediately brought up, including ones such as: "Why are they doing that?", "Does Deron want to stay?", "Why'd they do that just to have him for a season or two?", and so on and so forth.
But it turns out that the former Jazz player likes it there and is open to signing a contract extension with the newly-regimed New Jersey Nets.
According to the New York Daily News, Williams said, "I like this organization a lot. I like the direction they're going. They made me and my family feel real comfortable since I've gotten here. I like Coach [Avery] Johnson -- the way he coaches and the way he carries himself. I definitely can see myself staying here."
If he chooses to do so, Williams could opt out of his current contract after the 2011-12 season.
The guard played twelve games for the Nets this season, averaging 15 points and an amazing 12.8 assists per game.
It is likely that if Williams decides to sign a new contract, it will not happen until there is a new collective bargaining agreement in place between the players and owners.
"It's something that's going to be brought up a lot this summer after the collective bargaining agreement handles itself and then we'll look at it," Williams said.
Williams had wrist surgery on Monday and is expected to rehab for six to eight weeks.
The two-time All-Star was hesitant at first to have the surgery, however. But, apparently, everything turned out well and he said that the surgery was good and he is feeling alright.
"I was angry and tried to tell the doctors that I didn't want to have the surgery. The two doctors had me outvoted, two against one. I couldn't do anything about it," Williams said. "They told me that there was no reason to postpone it and if I didn't have it, I would be dealing with the same pain again."
The Nets are also scheduled to move to Brooklyn, starting in the 2012-13 season.
New Nets owner Mikhail Prokorhov wanted to acquire Williams from Utah, hoping that he would become the face of the franchise after missing out on current Knickerbocker Carmelo Anthony.
But the deal that sent Williams up north didn't come cheap. New Jersey gave up rookie big man and lottery selection Derrick Favors, point guard Devin Harris, and two future first-round draft picks to get the former All-Star.
Williams wasn't the only big name the Nets had acquired, though.
Before the regular season started, the Nets announced that they had signed former Mavericks coach Avery Johnson to become their new leading man.
When asked about Williams, Johnson spoke highly of him, saying, "I feel Deron has totally bought into what we're doing. He's a sincere guy, a man of his word. I have a lot of confidence that he will stay, and I will continue to show him how vitally important he is to the success of our team. I feel good about Deron being in a Nets uniform next season and into the future."
Williams isn't the only upcoming free agent hoping to return to New Jersey.
Unrestricted free agents Kris Humphries and Sasha Vujacic have both expressed interest in coming back.
Humphries, who had a breakout year, averaged 10 points and 10.4 rebounds per game for the Nets, the first time he had averaged double-digits in both categories for a season.
When asked, Humphries stated, "I've been saying it a lot lately that I want to be here. I like where the team is at, and I want to be a part of it when it all comes together in Brooklyn. I want to keep growing with the franchise."
The Lakers traded Vujacic to the Nets on Dec. 14.
"My choice would be to come back," Vujacic said. "My first goal would be with the Nets. The ownership wants to win, and the Nets have become a global team. It excites me, and this franchise has a very bright future."
If the Nets can sign Williams to an extension and Humphries to a contract, the Nets could be formidable opponent really soon.
With a core of Williams, Humphries, and center Brook Lopez, the Nets could be making some noise in the Eastern Conference in the upcoming seasons.
