On Thursday, Deron Williams toured the construction site of the Nets’ future home with Billy King, the team’s general manager. Williams’s interest in the Barclays Center site is significant. He can become a free agent after next season; the arena is scheduled to open for the 2012-13 season.

“He is certainly enjoying his time with the organization,” Bob McClaren, Williams’s agent, said in a telephone interview. “They’ve been tremendous to him and they have a great plan for the future, and Deron feels like the best is yet to come for the franchise. ...

“He relishes the opportunity to help market the team to the fans and to, hopefully, free agents,” McClaren said of Williams.

“There is always great hope and opportunity for success when you’ve got a guy that can distribute the ball and make other players better. That’s what Deron Williams does so well.

“That will make the Nets organization very attractive to free agents, and that style of play will be attractive to the fans. The possibility is there to do something really special.”

Nets general manager Billy King and point guard Deron Williams toured the Barclays Center construction site.

Williams later posted on his Facebook page: "This place will be a baller's paradise."

He will be an unrestricted free agent after next season.

Unlike a lot of celebrity owners, Jay-Z is heavily involved with the New Jersey Nets, according to Nets GM Billy King.

“I think a lot of those so-called guys that have parts of teams, they vanish,” King said. “There was one in Cleveland, what was his name? Usher. They haven’t seen him. I think Nelly in (Charlotte) – haven’t seen him. But Jay-Z, I think players see that it’s more of a passion for him, not just something he’s involved in.”

King also said Shawn Carter is involved in basketball decisions.

“I send him emails, or relate, ‘What about this guy?’” King said. “But he is fully invested. Not just financially, but from the heart.”

During an online chat, Ric Bucher reports he expects the Magic to trade Dwight Howard during the offseason.

Sources tell Bucher that Howard has a strong preference to move to the Lakers or Nets.

The Kings and Nets finished with identical 24-48 records during the regular season and so a tiebreaker was needed to determine lottery odds.

Sacramento won the tiebreaker and have a 7.6 percent chance of winning the lottery, compared to 7.5 percent for the Nets.

More importantly, the Kings will pick ahead of the Nets if the lottery stays true.

New Jersey's first round pick belongs to the Jazz as part of the Deron Williams trade.

Deron Williams strongly suggested his future will reside in Brooklyn.

“I like the organization a lot,’’ said Williams, who will be a free agent after next season, assuming a lockout doesn’t cancel the NBA's 2011-12 campaign. “I like the direction it’s going. I could definitely see myself staying here.’’

Williams, who will be moving his family to New Jersey, said he’s open to signing a contract extension this offseason.

“I would like to not have the distraction (of looming free agency) during the season,’’ he said.

Deron Williams has been in communication with Nets General Manager Billy King about trades and free agent signings.

“We’ll have a really good talk (about personnel), and then he’ll text me to follow up, or ask about another guy’s contract situation,” King said.

“Lately we talk more about his wrist, and finding a place for him to live. But he’ll call or text. No, it’s never like, ‘I want this guy or I’m outta here.’ It’s more about staying on the same page.”

King already has a perfect sounding board in the objective and savvy Bobby Marks (assistant GM), but Williams' influence is worth noting because, as King says, “he is very interested in every plan we’re putting in place.”

Deron Williams underwent successful wrist surgery today, April 11, at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan, Nets General Manager Billy King announced today.

The surgery, performed by hand specialist Dr. Andrew Weiland and Nets team orthopedic Dr. Riley Williams III, involved the removal of loose bodies (three bony fragments) and scar tissue from William’s right wrist.

“The bony fragments and scar tissue taken from Deron’s wrist today were interfering with this ability to flex his wrist,” said Dr. Williams. “We expect a full recovery and a return to basketball-related activities in approximately 6-8 weeks.”

Williams’ wrist will be encased in a soft splint for two weeks, after which time he will begin rehabilitation. He is expected to fully participate in training camp for the 2011-12 NBA season.

The New Jersey Nets signed guard Mario West for the final three games of the season.

West played his first three NBA seasons with the Atlanta Hawks.

He spent this season with the Maine Red Claws of the D-League, before signing a 10-day contract with the Nets on March 31.

West has appeared in five games for New Jersey, making three starts and averaging 4 points and nearly 2 rebounds per game.

Carmelo Anthony hinted that he believes Deron Williams will be with the Nets when they move to Brooklyn in 2012.

Anthony and Williams have dueling billboards in midtown Manhattan, and Anthony doesn't see that changing.

Williams' contract expires after the 11-12 season, and the Knicks could have the cap space to sign him.

However, the thought is the Knicks are going after Chris Paul, who is part of the CAA conglomerate that also represents Anthony.

"I'm happy for him," Anthony said. "I haven't seen it but he's going to be in New York too, so you'll see a lot more of that -- the competition thing. We got another Subway Series coming."