Having claimed PG Deron Williams as a more than acceptable consolation prize after their extended attempts to acquire Carmelo Anthony, the New Jersey Nets have solicited the former’s sage advice and somehow manage to identify a rather obscure, if very tall, player currently toiling in Central Florida (above) as the object of their future tampering affections. From the Bergen Records’ Al Iannazzone ;
Deron Williams has spoken with principal owner Mikhail Prokhorov and general manager Billy King about their plan and who they will pursue as they prepare for their Brooklyn move after next season.
Orlando center Dwight Howard tops that list, sources said.
The Nets want to improve the talent around Williams to get him to sign an extension when he’s eligible over the summer.
“He definitely talked about that and it gets you excited,” Williams said of Prokhorov. “When your owner says he’s going to spend the money and put people around you, that’s definitely appealing.
“There’s a lot of stuff that appeals to me as far as my future here.”
Perhaps mindful of Howard’s impending status, the Magic have begun a full-fledged P.R. campaign for Howard’s candidacy as NBA MVP. Heavier than last year’s anyway, when Howard (22 points and 8 rebounds at intermission tonight against the Knicks) garnered all of 4 first place votes despite the Magic’s creation of Dwight4MVP.com.