SANTA CRUZ, Calif. -- Some dribbles of the latest gossip circulating in the stands at the NBA's annual D-League Showcase after Thursday's first four games:

As hot are things are getting on the Brook Lopez front for the Nets, league sources say it's the full-on opposite when it comes to former All-Star guard Deron Williams.

The Nets have had no luck in their well-chronicled attempts to move Williams, which, as ESPN.com first reported, began in earnest in early December.

You're somewhat forced these days to presume things could always change, given the way deals are moving this Trade Season, but one source went so far as to declare now that Williams "isn't going anywhere" before the Feb. 19 trade deadline.‎

A declaration issued with more than a month to go before the deadline.

Soon-to-be free agent and Seattle native Nate Robinson ‎apparently has a significant admirer in the Clippers' organization beyond his former Celtics coach Doc Rivers.

New Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, with all those Seattle ties of his own, is said to be ‎a certifiable fan of Robinson, who has made it known that L.A. is running unopposed at the top of his wish list once he clears waivers.

Sources say that the Clippers have actually been trying for much of the past month to acquire Robinson via trade, which helps explain why the scoring guard has been linked to a reunion with Rivers from the moment Denver dealt him to Boston on Monday.

Concerns over conditioning were the apparent cause of the Clippers looking elsewhere -- for the moment -- after planning to sign Darius Miller to a 10-day contract. But more than one observer here says they expect Rivers to take another look at the former New Orleans Pelicans swingman, perhaps even as soon as Dahntay Jones completes the 10-day deal he just received from the Clips to take Miller's place.

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The three standout players from Thursday's opening slate of four games here: Bakersfield Jam center Earl Barron, Austin Spurs four man JayMychael Green and Sioux Falls Skyforce swingman Andre Dawkins.

Barron, 33, has had stints with seven NBA teams already, including two with New York, but found a way to stand out in a league that typically doesn't favor big men thanks to his ability to stretch the floor as well as his knack for finding the ball off the glass. Green is generally regarded as the best power forward currently playing in the D-League, while Dawkins caught the eye again Thursday with his shooting stroke.