Mavs waive Deron Williams after failing to find deadline deal

The Dallas Mavericks were among the league's more active teams on deadline day, but after acquiring young center Nerlens Noel from the Philadelphia 76ers, the Mavs failed to find a trade partner for point guard Deron Williams.

In the aftermath of the 3 p.m. ET. deadline, the Mavericks waived the former All-Star.

The Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Utah Jazz all expressed reported interest in acquiring Williams, and it seems a safe bet that those same three teams, at the very least, will compete to sign the 32-year-old if and when he becomes a free agent.

Williams has had a strong season for the Mavs - averaging 13.1 points and 6.9 assists, with his highest true shooting percentage (53.2) in three years - but Dallas is prepared to make Yogi Ferrell its starting point guard, ESPN's Tim MacMahon reports.