As the NBA trade deadline approaches, it's become increasingly clearer that New Jersey Nets point guard Deron Williams is going nowhere. ESPN's Marc Stein was the latest to echo that sentiment, as highlighted in this Tweet. In fact, Stein says that the Nets are telling other teams that they won't move Williams before 3 p.m. EST today.
The entire Williams situation has been complicated by Dwight Howard's fickle insistence on the Orlando Magic trading him, which now looks to be off the table is at appears he will opt-in to the next year of his contact and remain with the Magic through the 2012-2013 season. The Nets have long been presumed to be the favorite to land Howard in a trade, but his recent move eliminates that possibility. For now.
In the meantime, the Nets are ready to move forward with Williams, who has grown increasingly fond of the New York market (the Nets will move to Brooklyn next year), and may sign an extension this summer.
For more on the Nets, visit Nets Daily. For more on Howard and the Magic, head over to Orlando Pinstriped Post. And for more on the NBA Trade Dealine, check out SB Nation NBA.