2. Deron Williams
The Nets are currently in a tough state. The team is forced to rebuild because the moves to acquire Joe Johnson, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Deron Williams did not produce a championship.
Team results notwithstanding, let’s not forget that Williams began his Nets tenure as a perennial All-Star after establishing himself with the Utah Jazz.
At the time, Williams was a massive addition to a team in the midst of an upcoming rebrand. Williams joined the Nets in their final season-and-a-half in New Jersey, and helped usher in the Brooklyn era.
In the Nets’ final season in New Jersey, Williams had his best season with the team. He averaged 21 points and 8.7 assists per game in 2011-12, on his way to his fifth straight All-Star appearance.
Williams’ play declined over the last few seasons with the Nets, but overall he averaged 16.6 points and 7.5 assists per game throughout his Nets tenure.
His eventual departure from the Nets wasn’t pretty, but Williams came to the Nets in an era of transition and did his best to become the face of the franchise.
Next: Future Hall-of-Famer