New Jersey Nets point guard Deron Williams will not waive his early termination option as Magic center Dwight Howard just did, according to a report, and intends to opt out and become a free agent at the end of the season.

"I'm not going to opt-in. It's not monkey-see, monkey-do," Williams told the New York Daily News Friday morning. "Wherever I go is hopefully where I'm going to retire."

Williams was unwilling to compare his situation to Howard's. The Magic center changed his mind several times Wednesday before ultimately deciding to stay in Orlando through 2012-13.

"I'm not (going through the same things) because I've said all year I'm going to play this whole year out and see what happens," said Williams, who announced his intention through his agent to opt out before the 2011-12 season began. "So I haven't been flip-flopping and gone back and forth. It's not even close to being the same situation."

The Dallas Mavericks are expected to pursue Williams, who grew up in a Dallas suburb, but Nets general manager Billy King doesn't seem concerned.

"They are a threat but they've got to do a lot of work to get to the point of creating the space for him, moving and cutting players," King said in an interview with WFAN.

King said his confidence level in re-signing Williams is "very high." The Nets can offer Williams a five-year, $109 million max contract if he opts out, about a year and $28 million more than any other team.

King said he never asked Williams to waive his ETO and was never going to trade him.

"Why would I ask him to take a one-year deal when he can opt out and get a five-year deal and get security for his family?" King said.