Williams spurns Mavs, opts to stay with Nets

Deron Williams is moving to Brooklyn with the Nets, instead of back home to Dallas.

The All-Star point guard said on his Twitter page Tuesday night that he "made a very tough decision today" and posted a picture of the Nets' new team logo that accompanies their move from New Jersey to Brooklyn.

A person with knowledge of the decision said Williams told the team he was accepting their five-year contract worth $98 million. The person confirmed the agreement on condition of anonymity because contracts can't be signed until July 11.

Williams, the top free agent available, chose to stay with the Nets over signing with the Mavericks, who hoped they could convince him to come back to the area where he grew up.

It's a huge triumph for the Nets as they prepare to move into the new Barclays Center to start the 2012-13 season. They gave up an enormous package to get Williams in a surprising February 2011 trade, sending promising forward Derrick Favors, point guard Devin Harris, two first-round draft picks and cash to the Utah Jazz.

But it was worth it for the Nets, who needed a franchise player with them to build buzz for their move to New York.

Williams wanted to make a quick decision before he reports to training camp in Las Vegas with the U.S. men's basketball team on Thursday. He met with both teams Monday, the day after free agency opened, and made his Twitter posting at about 7 p.m. ET.

Williams' decision comes a day after the Nets agreed to a deal with Atlanta for All-Star guard Joe Johnson, and amid reports they are still hoping to make a deal with Orlando for Dwight Howard. Brooklyn also has a deal in place to re-sign versatile free agent forward Gerald Wallace.

AP source: Allen to visit Heat on Thursday: The NBA champion Miami Heat will get to make their sales pitch to Ray Allen.

A person familiar with Allen's plans told The Associated Press that the free-agent shooting guard will visit with Heat officials Thursday. Allen also is scheduled to visit Friday with the Los Angeles Clippers, according to the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the plans were not announced.

Allen is one of Miami's top offseason targets, so much so that even NBA MVP LeBron James tweeted last week that he hopes to play alongside him next season. For that to happen, Allen would have to take less money than he almost certainly could make elsewhere.

Miami can offer Allen only the mini mid-level exception worth just more than $3 million for next season, or roughly half what the Boston Celtics are willing to pay to keep the NBA's leading 3-point shooter. Still, Allen's willingness to even listen to Heat President Pat Riley suggests that Miami's financial limits may not be a deterrent to a deal.

NBA.com first reported Allen's planned visits Tuesday morning.

The Heat made just under 36 percent of their 3-point attempts this season. Mike Miller (.453) and James Jones (.404) led the Heat in accuracy from beyond the arc, though Miller is sorting out what he will do next season as he deals with back and foot issues.

Allen's 2,718 career 3-pointers are the most in NBA history.

Sacramento's 'Plan B' for new arena declared dead: Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson's "Plan B" to build a new sports arena is dead.

The second option for a new arena for the Sacramento Kings - or any other professional sports tenant - never really took shape. Johnson said Tuesday that the city and arena operator AEG have concluded that the financial model is not viable for the region without an anchor sports tenant.

Kings owners Joe, Gavin and George Maloof pulled out of a plan to help finance an arena earlier this year, saying it didn't make financial sense for the franchise. The team has not commented about any arena project since but has maintained the franchise intends to stay in Sacramento.

Seattle has been mentioned as a possible site if the Kings are forced to relocate.

Cavs, Warriors interested in Brandon Roy: Brandon Roy wants to make a comeback, and the Cavaliers may give him a chance to do it with them.

The Cavs are interested in the former Portland Trail Blazers star, who abruptly retired before last season because of chronic knee pain. A person familiar with Cleveland's interest told the Associated Press on Tuesday that the Cavaliers have not spoken to the 27-year-old or set up a visit with him. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the sides are only in preliminary discussions.

A three-time All-Star, Roy spent five seasons with the Trail Blazers and blossomed into one of the NBA's rising young stars. He announced his retirement in December, surprising his teammates and Portland's front office.

After sitting out the lockout-condensed season, Roy wants to try and resume his once promising pro career and there are several teams other than the Cavs interested in seeing if he can still play.

The Golden State Warriors and Roy met earlier this week about him joining the team in the free agent's attempted comeback, a person familiar with the situation said Tuesday.

Roy averaged 19 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 321 career games. He played in pain during his final two seasons in Portland, and has said he lacks cartilage in both knees.

He was the No. 6 overall pick in the 2006 draft by Minnesota, which traded him to the Blazers.

AP sources: Rockets to meet with Lin today: Jeremy Lin will visit the Houston Rockets today, two people with knowledge of the plans said, and the New York Knicks restricted free agent is expected to get a contract offer.

The Rockets waived Lin last December and he was claimed by the Knicks, turning into a breakout star when he landed the starting point guard job. Now with Goran Dragic not expected to return, Houston may want Lin back.

One of the people told The Associated Press on Tuesday the Rockets are planning to make Lin a multiyear offer, though the Knicks can match it and have said they intend to keep him. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the negotiations were to remain private.

The Rockets liked Lin, but had Kyle Lowry and Dragic ahead of him and needed to open a spot so they could add Samuel Dalembert to the roster. So they waived Lin, a decision general manager Daryl Morey would later write on Twitter that he regretted during Lin's sensational February stretch that made him the biggest story in the NBA.

Knicks' Fields agrees to offer sheet with Raptors: New York Knicks guard Landry Fields could be on his way out of New York after agreeing to sign an offer sheet with the Toronto Raptors.

The Octagon agency confirmed the deal, reported Tuesday by ESPN.com to be for three years and about $20 million.

Since Fields is a restricted free agent, the Knicks will have three days to match the offer after it can be signed on July 11.

The Raptors met with Phoenix point guard Steve Nash on Sunday and are hoping to sign the two-time MVP from Canada.