Jarrett Jack and Joe Johnson always planned to attend NBA summer league in Las Vegas as a team-building experience. But addressing reporters late Saturday night in Cox Pavilion, circumstances had obviously changed. Deron Williams, the former face of the franchise, was waived Saturday afternoon — the Nets agreeing to buy out the remaining two years and $43.3 million of his contract for $27.5 million. The move allows the Nets to duck under the luxury cap threshold and increase their salary cap space for 2016-17. But Williams’ departure also creates a job opening at point guard. While coach Lionel Hollins and GM Billy King danced around questions of who will take over the role, it’s assumed that Jack, a well-liked veteran who started 27 games last season and came up big in late-game situations, will play the part with perhaps newly acquired Shane Larkin also pushing for minutes. “If that’s the position they want me to fill, I’m definitely very ready to do so,” Jack said. “It’s not my first rodeo as far as being thrust into the (starter’s) role if that were to be the case. So it’s something that’s not foreign to me and (I’m) definitely ready for the challenge.” Jack said he spoke to Williams on Friday about his exit out of Brooklyn. Read more http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/b...y-replace-deron-williams-pg-article-1.2289955
