"Those shouts of joy emanating around New Jersey and reverberating to Brooklyn Monday were from the Nets hierarchy after they no doubt heard Deron Williams' take on all things Nets, not the least of which is his future with the team.

"It's a strong possibility, I have a strong feeling that I'll re-sign here," said Williams who has said he intends to opt out at the end of the season when he can re-sign a five-year deal with the Nets for $100 million, some $42 more than if he signed an extension and about $25 million more than if he opted out and went somewhere else. And the easiest, though certainly not the only way to keep Williams? Get Dwight Howard.

"That would be enough to convince me," Williams said.

And Williams might be enough to convince Howard to sign on to stay if the Nets worked out a deal.

"I'm sure he would yeah. Get that fifth year, play with me. I'm sure he would," Williams said."