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[Saba Sports News] Unlike many former NBA stars who overestimate how they’d fare in today’s league, Deron Williams takes a more humble approach. During the NBA Cup Final in Las Vegas, Williams was asked by The Score what he would average on a 10-day contract in the current NBA.
“One point per game, one rebound—no, zero rebounds—and two assists,” Williams joked. “My knees don’t work, I got no breaks. I can’t get by anybody, I can’t stop anybody. The only thing I got going for me is they don’t play defense nowadays.”
When the interviewer suggested he could average at least 10 points and eight assists, Williams laughed it off, citing his limited minutes:
“I’m not gonna play that long. I’ll play two minutes. At the end of the game, they’ll be chanting my name to bring me in off the bench.”
Williams last played in the NBA during the 2016-17 season, splitting time between the Dallas Mavericks and Cleveland Cavaliers. That season, he averaged 11.0 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game.
However, more than seven years have passed since then, and Williams recognizes the limitations that come with age and time away from the game.
In his prime, though, Williams was one of the league’s elite guards. From 2006-07 to 2012-13, he averaged 18.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 9.7 assists per game.
Selected third overall in the 2005 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz, Williams was known for his size, speed, and playmaking ability, sparking debates about whether he was better than Chris Paul during their peak years.
Unfortunately, Williams’ prime was relatively short-lived, hampered by injuries and questions about his attitude. Despite making three All-Star teams and two All-NBA teams, he never reached the lofty heights some envisioned.
Williams enjoyed his best years with the Jazz, leading them to multiple 50-win seasons but falling short of an NBA title. He attributed their playoff struggles to Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers.
“I think if it wasn’t for them, we had a chance to win a championship every year,” Williams said. “We just couldn’t get past Kobe and the big three of power—Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom. Their length and height made it tough for us.”
The Lakers eliminated the Jazz in the playoffs three straight years from 2008 to 2010, underscoring the dominance of Bryant’s teams during that era. Like many others in the Western Conference, Williams and the Jazz simply couldn’t overcome that legendary Lakers squad.