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Looking back: How the Jazz have recovered from trading Deron Williams

Rick Bowmer, AP

LeBron James, who’s known for his ability to pull roster strings, voiced his concern about the Cleveland Cavaliers’ lack of a playmaker in January, so the team’s front office went out and signed Deron Williams, his point guard from the 2008 Summer Olympics.

To the passive basketball audience, Williams is currently known as a solid, veteran backup guard. But to Utah Jazz fans, Williams was the premier guard who elevated the team’s status when he was drafted third overall by Utah in the 2005 NBA draft.

It’s been six years since Williams was a member of the Jazz, but when a player of that caliber is ousted, there’s residual effects.