When the then-New Jersey Nets traded for All-Star point guard Deron Williams in 2011, it appeared as though the team had landed its next franchise player.
Four years and many short-sighted, ill-fated transactions later, Williams is the second-highest paid player on an aging roster that has no means of improving in the immediate future.
With that in mind, the Nets will reportedly continue to seek trades for the former All-Star, as they did throughout the season, according to ESPN's Mike Mazzeo.
But given that the 30-year-old is still owed more than $43 million over the next two years, moving Williams is far easier said than done. So if the Nets are truly eager to rid themselves of the inconsistent, oft-injured guard, they may have to explore other avenues.
Citing multiple NBA sources, Mazzeo reports that a buyout is plausible, at least more so than the possibility of the Nets using the stretch provision on Williams.
Williams remains a capable ballhandler and 3-point shooter at the point, but he's nowhere near the player the Nets acquired four years ago - as head coach Lionel Hollins recently admitted - and he's certainly not worth his price tag.
Williams, who has seen ankle injuries and other ailments take their toll on his career, has averaged only 13.6 points and 6.4 assists over the last two seasons, with his field goal percentage plummeting to a career-low 38.7 in 2014-15.
The Nets, who are virtually capped out for next season, won't have their own first-round pick until 2019 and only own their second-round pick once (this year) in the next four seasons.
