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Utah Jazz: 25 Best Players To Play For The Jazz

By Phil Watson

Apr 1, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; The trees in full bloom and a general view of at Vivint Smart Home Arena where the Utah Jazz will play the Minnesota Timberwolves. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; The trees in full bloom and a general view of at Vivint Smart Home Arena where the Utah Jazz will play the Minnesota Timberwolves. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Basketball: Utah Jazz Deron Williams (8) in action vs Atlanta Hawks at Energy Solutions Arena.Salt Lake City, UT 1/5/2011CREDIT: Greg Nelson (Photo by Greg Nelson /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)(Set Number: X85244 TK1 R3 F22 )
Basketball: Utah Jazz Deron Williams (8) in action vs Atlanta Hawks at Energy Solutions Arena.Salt Lake City, UT 1/5/2011CREDIT: Greg Nelson (Photo by Greg Nelson /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images)(Set Number: X85244 TK1 R3 F22 ) /

4. player. 118. <strong>How acquired:</strong> 3rd overall pick from Illinois, 2005 NBA Draft.. PG. 2005-11. Deron Williams

The Utah Jazz had been spoiled by a Hall of Fame point guard for almost 20 years and when they went into the 2005 NBA Draft, they were still looking for a replacement.

Enter All-American Deron Williams, who had averaged more than 12 points and nearly seven assists per game as a junior at Illinois before turning pro. The Jazz took Williams with the third overall pick and he brought new life to the Utah offense.

UTA_04_WILLIAMS
UTA_04_WILLIAMS /

Williams was an All-Rookie selection in 2005-06, a two-time All-Star and a two-time All-NBA pick with the Jazz, finishing second in the NBA in assists in 2006-07 and 2008-09 and third in 2007-08 and 2009-10.

But in February 2011, after a falling out with coach Jerry Sloan, Williams was dealt to the New Jersey Nets in exchange for Devin Harris, Derrick Favors, cash and first-round picks in 2011 and 2013.

In parts of six seasons in Utah, Williams averaged 17.3 points, 9.1 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 35.6 minutes per game, shooting .466/.358/.808.

With the Nets, Williams was an All-Star in 2012 before he was waived in July 2015.

Three days after he was waived, Williams signed with the Dallas Mavericks. After opting out of the second year of the deal, Williams re-signed with the Mavericks on July 8, 2016 on a one-year deal.

He is 24th in NBA history with 6,459 assists and 12th with an average of 8.3 assists per game.

Next: Well-Traveled A.D. Found A Home In Utah

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