By Fitzgerald Cecilio

Brooklyn, NY

All-Star guard Deron Williams has reportedly narrowed his free-agency destinations to two teams: the Brooklyn Nets and the Dallas Mavericks, a reliable league source disclosed.

Williams, the top prize this upcoming free-agency period, is expected to pick either the Nets or the Mavs some time after he officially becomes a free-agent on July 1.

The All-Star point guard averaged 21.0 points and 8.7 dimes for the Nets last season, proving he remains one of the elite guards in the NBA.

According to sources, Williams wants a franchise able to surround him with talents to win a championship.

"I want to go to a place where I feel like they will have a chance to build and build fast," Williams told the Los Angeles Times Sunday. "I'm not really in the mood for being part of a rebuilding process. I'm getting older. I'm about to be 28. I want to win. I want to win now. Also, I want to live in a place where I want to live and my kids will enjoy living. That's pretty much it."

Williams had a stellar high-school career in the Dallas area but his terrific one-year stay in New Jersey and a potential off the court earning in Brooklyn could also convince him to stay with the Nets.

The Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers, Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers are also interested in Williams, who can probably demand a contract up to $100 million.

 

Knicks center Stoudemire hit with $50K for gay slur on twitter

New York Knicks power forward Amar'e Stoudemire was slapped with a $50,000 fine for using offensive and derogatory language on his Twitter page, NBA Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations Stu Jackson reported.

Stoudemire became the latest offender of the NBA's stricter policy on players who use anti-gay derogatory words.

The All-Star forward made an awkward reply on a tweet by Knick fan Brian Ferrelli, who said he [Stoudemire] needed to come back "a lot stronger and quicker to make up for this past season."

Stoudemire replied a gay and derogatory comment, tweeting "F--- you! I don't have to do anything f--.''

The Knickerbockers made an apology after his comments went viral but his inaction caused embarrassment to his team and the league.

The NBA also slapped Chicago Bulls ceneter Joakim Noah ($50,000) and Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant ($100,000) for their gay slurs last season, adhering to the league's mantra 'think before you speak,'

 

 

D-Will Considering Nets and Mavs