Deron Williams: Absence of Mark Cuban clinched decision not to sign with Dallas Mavericks

Brooklyn Nets point guard Deron Williams had a tough decision this past July. The free-agent point guard had to decide whether to return to the struggling Nets or instead bolt to play for his hometown Dallas Mavericks. Many felt the Mavericks would be in the lead, but instead, Williams went back to Brooklyn.

Since then, he's volunteered many bits of information explaining why he decided to stay. Now, you can add one more bit to that pile.

Deron Williams elaborated on choice of Nets over Mavs. Says Mark Cuban's absence at meeting helped cinch decision.

— Howard Beck (@HowardBeckNYT) October 8, 2012

Cuban was taping episodes of his "Shark Tank" television show at the time, leaving general manager Donnie Nelson, coach Rick Carlisle and former star Michael Finley to go in his stead.

It's entirely possible that Williams isn't being absolutely serious here, and it's also possible that Williams would have signed with the Nets even with Cuban at the meeting. But it's also possible that Cuban, who normally is so hands-on with his team, made a mistake in not trying to get out of his "Shark Tank" obligations to meet with one of the most important free agents his team has ever tried to sign.

Cuban downplayed his absence at the meeting in an August interview. I wonder if he's changed his mind by now.