The Jazz received signals from Deron Williams that he wanted to pay in a larger media market and was set to leave Utah when he could get out of his contract.

"We were running the risk of losing [Williams]," said Kevin O'Connor.

O'Connor explained that the team wanted to strike early so as not to be put in the position that the Nuggets faced when Carmelo Anthony decided he wanted out of Denver.

The Nets offer was the only acceptable one for Utah and once Anthony was sent to New York, the Nets moved forward on what O'Connor termed their "Plan B." 

O'Connor said the Jazz never contacted the Knicks about the widely reported offer the team had made for Anthony, which Denver ultimately accepted.