Magic Johnson checked in Thursday on the Deron Williams debate. During an ESPN conference call, the Laker great and ESPN analyst was asked what he thought about D-Will's free agency.

"If you're asking would Deron Williams make a difference, no question. He's an All-Star point guard. Any team would love to have Deron Williams," Johnson assessed. "And with Deron being from Dallas, I'm sure Mark Cuban is going to make a great run at him, and Deron will have choices. I'm sure that the new Brooklyn Nets are not going to lay down and just let Mark have him, either. We'll see what happens.

"Mark Cuban is a winner, and he's going to be active in the free agent market, I'm sure."

Okay, thanks for the insight, Magic.

• Magic: Mavs will make 'great run' at Nets' Williams - Fred Kerber - New York Post
• Magic Johnson sees a battle for All-Star point guard - Frank Isola - New York Daily News