Ed Stefanski, 76ers general manager, had no comment, and Williams' agent, Merle Scott, did not return calls.

The 76ers drafted Williams out of South Gwinnett High School in Snellville, Ga., with the 45th overall pick of the 2005 draft. In three seasons, Williams has averaged 7.2 points and 2.2 assists per game, but his numbers have steadily increased since his rookie season of 2005-06.

Williams and Andre Iguodala, a restricted free agent, played integral roles in last season's run to the playoffs, with Iguodala averaging 19.9 points and Williams 11.5.

Williams averaged 12 points per game in the 76ers' six-game playoff series loss to Detroit.

Throughout the summer the 76ers have said Williams and Iguodala were top priorities. The Sixers signed guards Royal Ivey and Kareem Rush and forward Elton Brand before agreeing to terms with Williams.

Now attention turns to Iguodala, the 76ers' leading scorer last season.

With players from his 2004 draft class - Emeka Okafor, Luol Deng, Andris Biedrins - reupping with their clubs for significant money, the question becomes: Where does Iguodala fit in that mix?

Last season, he turned down the Sixers' offer of a five-year, $57 million contract extension in favor of testing free agency. In the weeks since the NBA's signing moratorium lifted, no team has extended an offer sheet to Iguodala, who can play this season for $3.8 million and become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

A source close to the negotiations has said the 76ers and Iguodala's agent are in a constant dialogue.

If Iguodala plays this season for the qualifying offer, next summer's market could be even tougher. Teams might tighten their belts - thus protecting cap space - to have money for the free-agent class of 2010, which may include LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, Amare Stoudemire, Dirk Nowitzki and Manu Ginobili.

Earlier yesterday, a report from the Willoughby News-Herald in Ohio, citing a league source, said the Cleveland Cavaliers had contacted Williams.

The Cavaliers' interest was most likely the result of comments by Aaron Goodwin, the agent of Cavs free-agent guard Delonte West, who attended St. Joseph's. Goodwin said the Cavs had yet to offer his client a fair deal.

Only hours after that report, Williams agreed to stay with the Sixers.