Nets' Johnson on Williams buyout: 'It's not that bad here'

Point guard Deron Williams has the fresh start he wanted after agreeing to a two-year, $10-million deal with the Dallas Mavericks this offseason following a contract buyout with the Brooklyn Nets.

The 31-year-old's final few years in Brooklyn are best left forgotten, with a litany of injuries, poor all-around play, and a sour relationship with head coach Lionel Hollins tarnishing his reputation across NBA circles.

Even so, former teammate Joe Johnson can't seem to figure out why Williams wanted to wipe the slate clean and start anew somewhere else, wondering aloud during the team's media day Monday:

Brooklyn finished the regular season 38-44, which was good enough to snag the eighth seed in the feeble Eastern Conference, but a quick 4-2 series loss in the opening round at the hands of the Atlanta Hawks ended the Nets' postseason aspirations.

Now in the Lone Star State, Williams will step in and run the offense of a squad hoping to make one more push at the Larry O'Brien trophy with Dirk Nowitzki still playing at a high level. It won't be an easy task, but the three-time All-Star appears poised to elevate his game and help lead Dallas back to the promised land.

In 68 appearances last season, Williams averaged 13 points on 38.7 percent shooting, some of the lowest numbers of his 10-year career.