New Jersey Nets acquire All-Star point guard Deron Williams
On Tuesday the New York Knicks beat the New Jersey Nets in their pursuit of All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony from the Denver Nuggets. A day later, the Nets responded with a bang.
Nets General Manager Billy King rocked the NBA world on Wednesday, when he announced that his franchise had acquired point guard, Deron Williams from the Utah Jazz.
King told reporters, "I feel Deron Williams is the best point guard in the NBA. I spoke with Deron and he's excited about it. He understands where we are and where we want to go. In this league, you win with point guards."
The deal will see point guard Devin Harris and rookie forward Derrick Favors move to the Utah Jazz. In addition, Utah will get the Nets' first-round pick in 2011 along with cash, and Golden State's 2012 first-round draft pick. In exchange, the Nets get a
player considered to be the best point guard in the NBA.
Williams has had shaky relations with the Jazz front office this season over the team's lacklustre roster; an argument that eventually led to the resignation of legendary coach Jerry Sloan. Although, it was evident that Williams was not happy in Salt Lake
City, his sudden relocation came as a complete surprise.
It all happened extremely swiftly. At the press conference Billy King said that he spoke with Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor - who he spent time with in the Philadelphia 76ers’ front office - on Tuesday and discussed the proposition with him. The initial
suggestions gave way to more composite and specific dialogue between the two.
After taking their respective owners into confidence, the former colleagues and friends gave the lucrative deal the go-ahead on Wednesday morning.
Following the deal, King had a brief conversation with Deron Williams and he proclaimed that the inspirational point guard is extremely excited by the opportunity. Williams further reiterated that fact in a statement, in which he also explained his decision
to the Jazz faithful.
"Everything happens for a reason. I take everything in stride," Williams told the Jazz team broadcasters from his hotel room in Dallas. "I had a great five-and-a-half years in Salt Lake. The fans have always been great for me. I'm going to miss them."
The Nets will now hope that Williams will sign a contract extension, which they can offer this summer. If so, he would become the face of their franchise when they move to Brooklyn in 2012.
Having made his second straight All-Star appearance last weekend in Los Angeles, Williams will join the Nets’ ranks on the back of a career-best 21.3 points per game, wrapped with an average of 3.9 rebounds, 9.7 assists and 1.2 steals this season.
Nets coach Avery Johnson also expressed his delight at the trade. He asserted that Williams’ presence in the middle would provide the Nets with an extra edge and would instill fear in the opponents.
However, he did not forget to mention his penchant for the out-going point guard, Devin Harris. Johnson praised Harris - an injury prone and underachieving point guard - who he also coached for four year in Dallas. He said that the sixth year guard had “poured
his heart” into a tough situation. As for Derrick Favors, Johnson believed that young star had a lot of potential and could really grow into a prolific player in the years to come.
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