LAS VEGAS – LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh 1st talked regarding the likelihood of taking part in along once they were teammates for the gold-medal Olympic team in 2008. Turns out, they weren't the sole ones in Beijing plotting to make an excellent team.

Deron Williams has agreed to a $98 million contract with the Nets. (Getty Images)Deron Williams said he and Dwight Howard 1st mentioned the likelihood of teaming along four years ago in China. With the Orlando Magic talking a couple of proposed trade to send Howard to Williams and therefore the Brooklyn Nets, that dream may well be nearer to changing into reality.

"It was simply quote that time four years ago," Williams said. "[Brooklyn] positively intrigues [Howard]. Brooklyn goes to be huge. That factored into my call [to re-sign with the Nets]. this is often an area that hasn’t had a [sports] franchise since the ’50s. this is often a town that wishes basketball there, and then the theater goes to be nice."

Howard has told folks near him that a Nets deal may happen soon. Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski reported Monday that a Howard deal may embrace over ten players and a minimum of four groups.

Williams has said he primarily agreed to re-sign with the Nets rather than joining his hometown Dallas Mavericks once Brooklyn struck a deal to accumulate Atlanta Hawks guard Joe Johnson. The Nets are re-signing forward Gerald Wallace. Williams is not sure Howard can be a part of them.

"There are lots of rumors over the last year as so much as he’s involved," said Williams, who said he hasn't talked to Howard in 3 weeks. "Early on I involved myself with it. however lately I’m rather like, 'Let it play itself out and no matter happens, happens.' We’ll have an honest team while not him. We’ll have a much better team with him. the case is difficult."

[Also: Adrian Wojnarowski: Proposed Dwight Howard deal might involve over ten players]

The Celtics place along a three-star lineup with Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen that won a title in 2008 and played in 2 NBA Finals. the warmth played within the last 2 Finals with their star trio of James, Wade and Bosh, and won last season's championship. Williams thinks Brooklyn would become a second title contender if they trade for Howard.

"That's the manner you bought to travel currently to compete with Miami," Williams said.

Williams said he and Dwight Howard started talking regarding taking part in along four years ago. (Getty Images)Williams said Howard's biggest attraction to the Nets is wiggling with him within the ny market. He laughed at the concept that any of this is able to be doable if the franchise was still in New Jersey. The Nets unsuccessfully tried to accumulate Howard before last season's trade deadline.

With that in mind, Williams has tempered his excitement regarding Howard's potential arrival. while not Howard, the Nets are expected to re-sign Brook Lopez.

"That’s why i am not extremely regarding myself with it as a result of this whole situation happened in February," Williams said. "It is what it's. Of course, i am aiming to welcome that trade. however if it does not happen i feel we've an excellent cluster. i feel Brook could be a nice player and may be a special player during this year, particularly with the correct items around him."

Williams admitted the Knicks are going to be a challenge for the Nets. They created the playoffs last season and have a roster which will embrace Carmelo Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire, Tyson Chandler, Jason Kidd, Marcus Camby and Jeremy Lin, provided ny matches the provide sheet Houston extended to Lin. however if the Nets arrive in Brooklyn as a championship contender with Howard on their roster, they conjointly will not lack attention.

[Also: Kevin Love losing patience with Timberwolves' losing]

"They have already got to be checked out as a team that may compete next year," Chandler said. "With the addition of Joe Johnson they need one in all the simplest backcourts within the league. Deron Williams, Joe Johnson – Gerald Wallace is an improbable player. They got solid bigs.

"As it's at once, they are a sensible team. If they'll triumph the opposite issue that is roaming around out there within the air, clearly it will build them higher."

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