With Dwight Howard signing away his right to opt out, the New Jersey Nets have moved on to 'Plan B' for surrounding Deron Williams with enough talent to persuade him to stay.

Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the Nets are engaged in "advanced talks" with the Portland Trail Blazers to bring Gerald Wallace to New Jersey, and the deal is "close."

Based on rumors coming out of New Jersey, it seems that the Nets have decided not to move Deron Williams prior to the NBA trade deadline. Rather, they are attempting to upgrade the roster in hopes of proving the Nets can become a viable contender in the future.

While Wallace would certainly help the Nets become more competitive, it's unclear whether he's the type of player who can entice Williams to stay with the Nets beyond this season.

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