"The New Jersey Nets hope to hang on to their superstar point guard, Deron Williams, beyond this year. But as the Nets wallow at the bottom of the Eastern Conference again, whispers are growing louder that Williams won't stick around with his current club unless it brings in another star to play alongside him -- like Orlando's Dwight Howard.

And according to ESPN's Chris Broussard, the Mavericks are a good bet to land the guard if he makes it to free agency.

"A native of Dallas, Williams is also fond of the idea of playing for the Mavericks," Broussard wrote. "Dallas lacks the pieces to pull off a trade, but if Williams becomes a free agent and the Nets don't get Howard, the Mavericks, who will have enough cap room to offer him a maximum contract, are his likeliest landing spot, a source said.""