The 2011-12 NBA season is officially over for 27 teams out of the 30 in the league and the rumors surrounding free agency this summer and trade speculation has started to heat up. The one big-name that has been mentioned more than any other with free agency right around the corner is Deron Williams of the Brooklyn Nets.

With Williams having a player option to continue with the Nets moving forward, Brooklyn will attempt to sign the elite point guard to a long-term contract extension. Reportedly, the Nets are the team in the league that can offer perennial All-Star the most money over the next five years. Apparently, Williams could sign a deal worth as much as $109 million with the Nets.

Obviously, this enormous contract offer will be tempting to say the least. The only problem is that the Nets are one of the worst teams in the league with little hope for the future even with Williams remaining in Brooklyn long-term.

With that being said, Williams might chose to sign for less elsewhere with the prospect of winning being the biggest motivating factor. The two other teams that are currently in the running to acquire Williams are the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Mavs have the advantage of being able to pay Williams upwards of $80 million via free agency. Along with the money factor, Dallas was also where the point guard grew up.

As for Los Angeles, everyone wants to play for the Lakers with the opportunity of playing in the City of the Angels and alongside five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant. Williams let it be known that he’d consider playing in L.A., but the Lakers can’t afford to take him on without doing a sign-and-trade with the Nets.

It remains to be seen whether Williams will ultimately land this summer, but it appears that the Nets, Mavs and the Lakers are the current frontrunners to acquire arguably one of the best point guards in the league.

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