This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Everybody knows the Jazz need help at point guard.

What is still unknown is the best way for them to get it.

There's an offseason option that would not fill the void, but that could, at least, partially plug it. It's no end-all solution, and it could be risky, and it might even be a stupid idea, but it also could be a way for the team to add veteran guidance and assistance. Moreover, on both ends, it could balm a wound in the Jazz's past that many might not want to touch, but that others would welcome as a means of helping out now and of healing once and for all.

Sign Deron Williams.

More than a few of you likely just punched the wall or blew chunks or screamed profanities at the idiotic thought, at the mere mention of D-Will's name.

No question, Williams is one of the most controversial players who ever suited up for the Jazz, having spent the better part of six seasons here, leading the team to the Western Conference finals, but then …

But then.

Finding himself at the center of Jerry Sloan's sudden retirement in 2011, Williams may never regain the favor of some folks around here, inside and outside of the franchise.

But what if he could? What if he did?

Everyone remembers that sad night in February, six years back, when a player-coach dispute broke out during a game at home against Chicago and next thing … Jerry and Phil were gone. And, then, shortly thereafter, Williams was gone, too, shipped off to the Nets, where he signed a $100 million deal and began a forgettable slide the once-great point guard experienced over what should have been the prime of his career.

It was not.

Williams struggled with a thousand ankle injuries during his time with the Nets, which limited him in his four full seasons with the club, during which he averaged 21, 18.9, 14.3 and 13 points. His assists tailed off, as well.

Think back, though, to his best days in Utah. After his rookie season, when his minutes were limited, he had 16.2 points and 9.3 assists, 18.8 and 10.5, 19.4 and 10.7, 18.7 and 10.5, 21.3 and 9.7.

That's not who Williams is now, having averaged 14.1 points and 5.8 assists in one full year in Dallas before being let go for Cleveland to sign for the remainder of this season, when he averaged a combined 11 points and 5.3 assists. His minutes and production dropped once with the Cavs.

How much is left for Williams to offer is less than certain. One thing is: As a free agent, Williams would come cheap. He signed for the veterans' minimum in Cleveland.

His evolution is not all negative.

Williams has gained savvy and perspective since his days with the Jazz, when he was really good, ultra-competitive, on the floor and often surly and immature off it. Some say he quit on the Nets, never living up to what he had been even as his bank account swelled. Injuries sometimes do weird things to a player's mind and motivation, especially when they're accompanied by a lack of acumen on the part of management.

But, as reported by the New York Post, Williams said of his experience since joining the Cavs:

"You're playing with the best player in the world, arguably the best point guard in the game. Superstars. It's a team that was already established. They won it last year, so, for me, it was an adjustment. It was an adjustment coming over here [after being waived by the Mavericks in February] and learning to play where I did not have the ball in my hands for the whole game, didn't know if I was going to play 20 minutes or 10 or 15. But after settling in and knowing what they need, it's become easier."

Now that Williams has wrapped his brain around that kind of role, perhaps he could fill it, in some measure, with the Jazz, a team that has neither the best player in the world, nor the best point guard in the game. But it does have a bright young nucleus, especially if Gordon Hayward sticks around.

Yeah, you're thinking right now about the time Williams chucked a ball at Hayward, upset with the then-rookie. Maybe Hayward doesn't worry or care much about that, not anymore.

For Williams' part, he has respect for Hayward and for the Jazz, having told ESPN during the past season the following about the player and the team:

"I knew he was going to be really good, just the IQ he had and the confidence he had early on. … He's definitely developed into a go-to player and a No. 1 option for a playoff team, which says a lot."

And …

"Man, they've put a solid group together. They definitely went through some rebuilding years, kind of collecting assets and draft picks. They definitely have an identity now. They have a great mix of youth and then experience … they're a really solid team — tough defensively, really patient offensively and get good shots and know how to play the game the right way."

There's been no indication that Dennis Lindsey and Quin Snyder want Williams.

There have been indications, whispers from people who would know, that Williams, who still lives here in the offseason, would be interested in finishing his career with the Jazz. If he has anything left, it would be a nice touch. It would cost little. And it might remind everybody that forgiveness, even in pro sports, is good and help heal a wound that would be better off healed.

GORDON MONSON hosts "The Big Show" with Spence Checketts weekdays from 3-7 p.m. on 97.5 FM and 1280 AM The Zone. Twitter: @GordonMonson.