He had help

Elgin Baylor made his share of mistakes in L.A., but with an owner like Donald Sterling, he never had a chance, says Randy Hill.

Not just Boston

Charley Rosen kicks off his division previews with the Atlantic, where the defending champion Celtics aren't the only threat.

It's never easy

The Hornets have a bright future, but for that future to remain in New Orleans, Mike Kahn says they can't afford any lapses.

Report: Jazz, Williams agree to $70M extension

by FOXSports.com

Updated: July 18, 2008, 4:51 PM EST 346 comments

add this RSS blog email Print

Point guard Deron Williams signed a contract extension with Utah on Friday that will keep him with the Jazz through at least the 2011-12 season.

Must-read:

Williams, who still had one year left on the rookie contract he signed after the Jazz picked him third overall in the 2005 NBA draft, signed a three-year deal with a one-year option.

While terms of the contract were not released, The Salt Lake Tribune reported Friday that the deal could reach a value of approximately $70 million, the maximum allowed by the NBA's collective bargaining agreement, with the option. The Hornets' Chis Paul, drafted the same year as Williams, has a similarly fashioned deal that is valued at about $68 million.

Had he agreed to a five-year extension, Williams would have locked in $21 million in guaranteed money for the fifth year. By opting for the lesser package, Williams has the ability to become a free agent at the age of 28 or 29.

Williams has led Utah to the last two Northwest Division titles.

Williams was one of 12 NBA players named to the Olympic team last month following a season in which he averaged 18.8 points and 10.5 assists to help the Jazz to the conference semifinals. He has career averages of 15.3 points, 8.1 assists and 2.9 rebounds while appearing in a total of 242 of a possible 246 career games, including all 82 during the 2007-08 regular season.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

COMMUNITY ON FOXSPORTS.COM

Please note by clicking on "Post Comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.

NBA HEADLINES

FOX SPORTS NBA VIDEO

NBA Preview: Atlantic Division
The Celtics are the defending NBA champs, but FOXSports.com's Marques Johnson says the C's will be hard-pressed to make it back to the Finals. Check out this Atlantic Division preview.

NBA Preview: Pacific Division
FOXSports.com NBA analyst Marques Johnson says the Pacific Division should belong to the Lakers, but can the Suns get a little more gas out of Shaquille O'Neal to spoil the Lakers' championship dreams?