Deron Williams didn't leave the Utah Jazz on the best of terms, but since his retirement in 2017, he's made a concerted effort to get back into the Jazz's good graces and with their fans. At this point, no one has any ill will towards D-Will. Even so, Williams hasn't stopped trying to help the Jazz, as he revealed that he told AJ Dybantsa he would like to see him don a Jazz uniform next season.
Williams revealed through his personal Instagram account that he told Dybantsa directly that "it would be really nice" for the projected high lottery pick play for the Jazz next season.
Deron Williams to AJ Dybantsa 🔥 pic.twitter.com/YHPQqlubTM
— James Hansen (@hansenjames) June 10, 2026
The irony is that Williams doesn't have to sell Dybantsa on Utah because he's already well-acquainted with the area. While he hasn't put on the record that he wants to start his career in Utah, his well-documented history of playing basketball in the state suggests he would be more than happy to play for the Jazz.
Even so, Williams doing this is pretty heartwarming to see in real time. He doesn't have to do something like this, but he wants to because he's made it clear that despite how everything unfolded with him and the franchise back in 2011, Utah still holds a good place in his heart.
Williams' pitch to Dybantsa might be better than you think
Again, Dybantsa knows Utah long enough and well enough by now that it's not necessary to convince him to play for them. However, in Williams' case, he is one of the best players to ever be a Jazzman who led their most successful era that did not feature Karl Malone and John Stockton.'
Even if Dybantsa is likely far from opposed to the idea of starting his NBA career in Utah, Williams is a good example of the kind of player he can be if he joins the Jazz. Anyone who remembers that time knows that Williams was considered among the best of the best. In the same league as Chris Paul and Steve Nash at his peak.
He may very well convince Dybantsa that the BYU alum can have a similar career trajectory if he sticks with the Jazz. Will Hardy doesn't have the most experience with team success, but seeing the work he's done with Lauri Markkane, Keyonte George, and even John Collins is impressive enough that Dybantsa has good reason to believe the Jazz can do the same with him.
And if there's one player in the history of the Utah Jazz who is the golden example of living up to their potential, it's Deron Williams.
Add us as a preferred source on Google