NBA: Deron Williams officially opts out; Nets extend offer to Lopez

What is sure to be a hectic off-season for the newly-relocated Brooklyn Nets began in earnest with All-Star point guard Deron Williams opting out of his deal, and the team extending a qualifying offer to center Brook Lopez.

Deron Williams officially did not opt into his contract — Stefan Bondy (@NYDNInterNets) June 27, 2012  

The former New Jersey Nets franchise saw Williams decline a $17.8 million dollar player option for the upcoming season, in order to become a free agent. Sources say Williams is really only considering two teams: returning to the Nets or a move to his hometown Dallas Mavericks. The NBA free agency period begins at 12:01 am Eastern Time, Sunday (12:01 noon on Monday, PHL time). The team also extended a qualifying offer to restricted free agent Brook Lopez, worth $4.1 million dollars. That move will allow the Nets to match any contract offer to Lopez from other franchises. Aside from Lopez, the Nets really only have a handful of players on their roster, namely sniper Anthony Morrow, center Johan Petro, and swingman Marshon Brooks. Back-up point guard Jordan Farmar has yet to announce whether or not he will pick up his $4.2 million player option, while the team has yet to decide on the fate of another young player, Damion Jones, who has a team option worth $1.3 million. The Nets can't turn to the draft for help either, as they possess just the 57th overall pick in the 60-selection process. The team had traded their first round selection to the Portland Trailblazers in exchange for swingman Gerald Wallace, who became an unrestricted free agent this off-season. That pick wound up being the sixth overall choice. Brooklyn's best case scenario involves them re-signing Williams, and pairing him up with Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, whom they would have to acquire in a trade. They face stiff opposition though from the Houston Rockets, as they too are angling to acquire Howard. - AMD, GMA News