Will Deron Williams stay with the Jazz? That is the biggest question that will follow and haunt Williams for at least the next year. He's already sick of talking about it.
He said at practice the other day after speculation started to swirl that he will eventually follow Carmelo Anthony to New York, "Rumors. You can choose to believe them, or choose not to."
I personally don't think Williams will go to New York. I think Chris Paul will. But there is no doubt Williams is growing restless in Utah. Unless the team makes a miraculous turnaround, they are headed for another early playoff exit, if they make the playoffs at all. Williams is committed to Utah only through the 2011-2012 season. He can opt out of his contract after that, and all signs point to him doing just that.
If you think the Jazz are irrelevant now, just wait until that happens.
Sure, Williams could stay and try to turn the Jazz into a championship contender again. He'd probably be able to make the most money here. But Williams has such a competitive fire about him, I really don't think money will be the issue -- winning will be. His best chance to win a title is not in Utah, and that's not entirely the fault of the Jazz.
There is a disturbing, growing trend of superstars joining together in the big cities to make a run at a championship. From LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade in Miami, to Carlos Boozer and Derrick Rose in Chicago, to Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen in Boston, to now Carmelo and Amar'e Stoudemire in New York. And who knows which superstar the Lakers will acquire next.
This is not good for the smaller market teams, like the Jazz. It's difficult enough to attract big name free agents to come here. If Williams leaves, it will be even tougher. Will they be able to field a championship-caliber team to entice Williams to stay? It seems unlikely. The same goes for the New Orleans Hornets when it comes to Chris Paul.
Raja Bell told me that you can't blame a player for trying to win a championship. That is true. Williams needs to go where he thinks he's has the best chance at cashing in and accomplishing that goal. It would just be a shame if the Jazz had to pay the price.
