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The future of the Brooklyn Nets hangs in the balance as superstar point guard Deron Williams weighs his free-agent options this summer. It has been assumed for a while that Williams, the star point guard the Nets hope to build their franchise around as they move to Brooklyn for the 2012-2013 season, would choose between the Nets and his hometown Dallas Mavericks.
A recent report confirms that to be the current thinking. There are good reasons for Williams to choose either franchise. Today, I look at the reasons why Williams should choose the Mavericks. Later, SB Nation New York Nets writer Ryan Jones will defend his turf and offer the three main reasons why Williams should stay with Brooklyn.
Here are my reasons why Williams should take his talents to Dallas.
1. Dirk Nowitzki -- Yes, the Mavericks 7-foot superstar is 34 years old. But, Nowitzki is still a superstar, having averaged 21.6 points per game in the 2011-2012 season. That is 12 straight seasons averaging more than 20 points per game. The Nets MIGHT get Dwight Howard. Remember, though, that Howard is coming off back surgery and has proven to be the planet's largest diva. Plus, he is still a member of the Orlando Magic. So, teaming with Nowitzki seems like a safer bet than staying with Brooklyn and hoping to team with Howard.
2. Dallas Is Home -- Williams grew up in Texas and home is always where the heart is. Especially when there is a superstar already in place, a team with a history of winning and a gazillionaire owner who has already shown he will do whatever it takes to keep his team at or near the top.
3. Opportunity To Win -- If Williams stays with the Nets in the Eastern Conference he is likely to spend the rest of his career staring up at LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh and the defending champion Miami Heat. Without another superstar, the Nets will escape the swamps of New Jersey, but they won't escape the bottom of the NBA barrel. Even with one, they probably don't have enough to unseat the Heat. The Mavericks have proven they can win, plus the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs are aging. There is, of course, the Oklahoma City Thunder to deal with, but that seems a better road than trying to go through LeBron every year.