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Report: Jazz interested in bringing back Deron Williams

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The madness of the NBA trade season might be what it finally takes to bring Deron Williams and Utah Jazz back together again.

Nearly six years to the day (Feb. 23, 2011) that Williams' Jazz tenure ended with a trade to New Jersey, Utah has reportedly expressed interest in reacquiring the point guard from the Dallas Mavericks, according to ESPN's Marc Stein and Tim MacMahon.

Stein and MacMahon did caution, however, that no deal appears imminent, and that Williams needs to approve any potential move, because the veteran would lose his Bird rights if traded by Dallas.

Williams is no longer the perennial All-Star that challenged Chris Paul for supremacy at the position during his first stint with the Jazz, but the 32-year-old remains an offensive threat, averaging 13.1 points, 6.9 assists, and 2.6 rebounds.

The 35-22 Jazz currently sit fifth in the Western Conference standings, and are well on their way to ending a five-year playoff drought, but could use an upgrade over Shelvin Mack and Dante Exum at backup point guard. Williams could also prove a worthy insurance option in the starting lineup, given that George Hill has missed 25 games already this season due to a variety of injuries - though Williams, himself, has missed 16.

Williams, who spent the first five-and-a-half years of his career with the Jazz and maintains a summer home in Salt Lake City, will be an unrestricted free agent come July.

The timing of the report is intriguing, given that only moments earlier, Jazz trade target Lou Williams was reportedly shipped to the Houston Rockets.

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