Michael Kidd-Gilchrist said that he plans to stay at Kentucky beyond this season.

"I'm graduating here. I'm not going nowhere," Kidd-Gilchrist said after Saturday's game against Vanderbilt. "I'm staying at Kentucky."

When those around him chuckled, Kidd-Gilchrist added: "I'm dead serious. I don't know why y'all laughing."

Kidd-Gilchrist will have to convince John Calipari that he should stay.

“He’s got to come up with some reasons he’s coming back and convince me,” Calipari said. “Here’s why: What if he got hurt and I’m out there convincing him to come back? What if that happened? Or something happened to him that all of the sudden really hurt him and his draft-ability and his future?

“It’s hard to live with yourself, unless you’re just trying to win five more games or ‘How many games can I win before I retire?’ This is about these young people.”

Calipari said that former one-and-done stars like John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins and Eric Bledsoe often say to him, “Man, I wish I could have stayed three or four years.

“But there’s opportunities that arise. Just like Bill Gates, when he said, ‘You know what? I’m done with school; I’m going to chase my dreams’ and in his case, change the world. Steve Jobs did the same thing; left school and went out and changed the world.

“You have opportunities. You’ve got to look at them and figure out what’s right.”

Charlie Villanueva ran the floor for about 20 minutes during Monday's practice and was pleased by how his non-running cardiovascular conditioning has helped him remain in shape.

Villanueva has been dealing with ankle tendinitis and bone spurs.

No timetable has been established for Villanueva's return.

Deron Williams didn't participate in Monday's practice because of an MRI on his left foot.

His foot swelled up before Sunday's All-Star game.

Williams is not expected to miss any time.

In Dallas for a Monday practice ahead of a game against the Mavericks, Deron Williams was asked his thoughts on playing at the American Airlines Center.

“I always like playing here,” Williams said. “It’s probably my favorite (arena) to play in. I just enjoy playing here — I enjoy playing in front of my friends, family. It’s always good they get the chance to come and see me play.”

Avery Johnson acknowledged that the Mavericks could sign Williams.

“For me personally, working for Mark Cuban, he’s a threat, okay?” said Johnson. “I know the guy. So I think because of the success he’s had — and I know he got criticized a lot for ... all those years where he didn’t win a championship — but he’s had some really great success here that rivals any situation. So that’s a threat. And for us, we don’t make any assumptions until we get Deron signed on the dotted line.

“So the main thing is, we keep doing what we’re doing, Deron’s been a major part of what we’re doing behind the scenes,” Johnson said. “He’s been a major part of what we’re doing with the new Barclays Center. So we’re saying he’s doing all of that with the intent that he’s going to remain with us in the future.”

Asked about his future Monday, Williams delivered what has become his standard response: “You know, I’m just trying to play out the season and look at my options after the season.”

Williams was also asked if he prefers the idea of being in his hometown or the arena itself.

“Home,” he said. “(And) I just like the arena. I think it’s a good shooting background. I just enjoy playing here. Fans — the fans are great. It’s always good when arenas have a lot of energy. Ours (the Prudential Center) doesn’t have too much energy.”

Kobe Bryant will see an ear, nose and throat specialist on Tuesday.

Bryant suffered a broken nose when he was fouled hard by Dwyane Wade in the third quarter of Sunday's All-Star game.

Bryant returned to Los Angeles on Monday after complaining of headaches.

Wilson Chandler has until Thursday to receive an offer sheet from another team as he could only play for the Nuggets thereafter.

Chandler met with the Raptors last week, but no offer has been made.

Agent Chris Luchey confirmed that a one-year deal is out.

If Chandler doesn't sign a long-term deal with Denver, he won't play until the 12-13 season.

Luchey said "we're considering all options" and that it's realistic that Chandler could sign with a professional team in Italy this spring.

Dwight Howard's list of preferred destinations remains the Nets, Lakers and Mavericks with the Nets as the clear leader, according to a source.

One source said Howard wants to "be Kobe Bryant, not be with Kobe Bryant."

Sam Amick also cites close friends of Howard who say Bryant informed him that he would be the second or third option on the Lakers. 

RealGM's Jarrod Rudolph first reported details of the conversation in which Bryant compared Howard's potential impact to Tyson Chandler.

But one source says Howard preferred the Nets even before the Bryant conversation.

The New Jersey Nets have signed Gerald Green of the Los Angeles D-Fenders.

In 22 games, 13 starts, with the D-Fenders this season, Green (6-8, 200) averaged 19.1 points and 4.6 rebounds in 30.6 minutes.  

The 2012 NBA D-League All-Star Game Most Valuable Player, Green scored 28 points in 24 minutes during NBA All-Star festivities in Orlando.  

The Los Angeles Clippers have signed Bobby Simmons of the Reno Bighorns.

In 21 games, 18 starts, with the Bighorns this season, Simmons (6-8, 220) averaged 13.5 points and 7.6 rebounds in 32.4 minutes.  
Simmons has scored more than 20 points three times and recorded two double-doubles, including a 19-point, 18-rebound performance on Feb. 18, against the Idaho Stampede.