This summer's most coveted free agent is staying with the Nets.
Deron Williams confirmed on his Twitter account late on Tuesday, his decision to remain with the Brooklyn Nets.
A day after Brooklyn verbally agreed to a deal to bring in Joe Johnson from the Atlanta Hawks, Williams, who said he would choose between Dallas Mavericks or the Nets, Tweeted: "Made a very difficult decision today ..." along with a link to a photo of the Brooklyn Nets logo.
Multiple sources confirmed the deal, which is worth nearly $100 million over 5 years.
Instead of signing for his hometown club Dallas, Williams informed the Nets of his decision to accept their five-year $100 million offer. The Mavericks were able to offer only a four-year deal worth $75 million.
Williams had intimated that he would stay with Brooklyn, if they convinced him they could contend for the NBA championship by bringing in the right pieces.
That was started when the Nets re-signed Gerald Wallace, traded for shooting guard Johnson, reached an agreement with Bosnian forward Mirza Teletovic and agreed a sign-and-trade for Reggie Evans, a good rebounder.
Johnson was brought in with Anthony Morrow, Jordan Farmar and DeShawn Stevenson and forwards Jordan Williams and Johan Petro going the other way, along with a lottery-protected 2013 first-round pick the Nets acquired from the Houston Rockets.
All the deals, made by the impressive team of general manager Billy King and assistant general manager Bobby Marks, are verbal agreements, as nothing can be made official till July 11.
Williams, who has been told by the Nets he will be the face of the franchise, was traded from the Utah Jazz in February, 2011 and averaged 21 points a game last season.
It is understood, the Nets have also not given up on bringing in the League's best center in Dwight Howard. The Orlando Magic big man has stated his desire to be traded to Brooklyn and the Nets are trying to find the right pieces which will allow them to bring Howard, where they will form a big-three of their own in Williams, Johnson and Howard.
If the Howard deal is not possible, the Nets will look to sign free agents Brooks Lopez and Kris Humphries. It is also possible both of them could be used in a trade with the Magic for Howard.
Dallas will now look to sign another coveted free agent point guard, Steve Nash. The Canadian veteran has been offered a three-year $36 million deal by the Toronto Raptors, and while the Mans cannot remotely match that salary, they will try to persuade Nash on the club's better ability to win a championship and his close friendship with Dirk Nowitzki.
