Deron Williams Says Modern NBA Pace Would Yield Dozens of Assists

Former NBA All-Star point guard Deron Williams stated that the increased pace of the modern NBA would have allowed him to average more than 10 assists per game had he played in the current era while ten years younger, according to reporting from chinanews.com.cn.

Williams, who played 12 seasons in the league from 2005 to 2017, noted that the evolution of the game’s speed and spacing has fundamentally changed how point guards operate. He suggested that the current environment favors high-volume playmaking more than the style of play prevalent during his prime years.

Deron Williams on NBA Pace and Playmaking

The analysis provided by chinanews.com.cn indicates that Williams views the current NBA as a faster version of the league he competed in. He believes that the transition from a slower, more structured half-court offense to the current high-tempo game would have significantly boosted his statistical output in the assist category.

During his career, Williams was known as a powerhouse floor general, particularly during his tenure with the Utah Jazz and New Jersey Nets. However, the era he played in featured more frequent isolation plays and a slower overall pace compared to the “pace and space” era defined by high-volume three-point shooting and rapid transitions.

NBA speed has become faster, and if I were ten years younger, I could send ten-plus assists per game.
Source: chinanews.com.cn

Evolution of the Point Guard Role

The shift Williams describes aligns with league-wide trends in the last decade. According to NBA official statistics, the league’s average pace—measured by the number of possessions per 48 minutes—has increased steadily since the early 2010s. This increase in possessions naturally creates more opportunities for assists.

Modern offenses prioritize early-clock opportunities and perimeter spacing, which reduces the congestion in the paint that Williams often faced. By removing traditional rim-protecting centers from the middle of the floor, current NBA offenses allow playmakers to find open shooters and cutters with greater frequency.

Williams’ assertion highlights a common point of debate among retired players regarding how their career averages would translate to the modern game. The combination of a faster pace and a higher volume of three-point attempts typically inflates both scoring and assist totals compared to the mid-2000s.

Career Context and Statistical Impact

Throughout his professional career, Williams established himself as one of the premier passers of his generation. He earned multiple All-Star selections and was recognized for his ability to control the tempo of the game. Despite this, the structural constraints of the 2000s-era NBA often limited the sheer number of assists available per game.

The hypothetical scenario presented by Williams suggests that his skill set—combining size, vision, and passing accuracy—would be particularly potent in a system that emphasizes rapid ball movement. By combining his existing talent with the speed of the current game and the physical advantages of being ten years younger, he believes the 10-assist threshold would have been a regular occurrence.