OT: Deron Williams Traded to Nets
Swapping B1G Point Guards:
The Jazz just traded Deron Williams (Illinois) to the Nets for Devin Harris (Wisconsin), Derrick Favors, and a bunch of draft picks. I was shocked to hear this after Deron WIlliams ran Jerry Sloan out of town and thought some people might be interested.
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:13 PM ^
I really think that by Melo making his max 3-year, $65 million extension a priority, the Knicks are boxed out of any other big free agent. The Miami trio all took less than the max so that they could fill out their roster. With the cap at $58 million and likely going down to maybe $55mil under the new CBA...the Knicks will be paying Amare and Melo $40 million. They are boxed in. Good thing about the Williams trade is you get a guy under control when clearly no one wanted to go there in free agency. You still have flexibility and you get the superstar you needed to build around. Now you can compete with the Knicks (which I know is important for Nets fans who must feel like second fiddle) and have the potential to be better in the long term.
If the team really does end up moving to Brooklyn, I think that is a much better destination and you're still able to fill out a team in the way the Knicks can't.
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:18 PM ^
Melo is going to regret that Knicks move, especially when Amare's knees finally give out for real which should be happening in the next 12-18 months at the latest.
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:07 PM ^
This is a shocker.
How good is the East right now? West loses arguably it's third and fourth best players in the matter of 24 hours (I have Kobe and KD ranked higher). East loses.... Devin Harris?
CP3 will probably make the leap to the East after his contract is up in 1.5 years. If the Magic can keep Howard, with the Lakers/Spurs aging - the Thunder could rule the West for years.
Seattle, you can now light yourself on fire.
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:13 PM ^
While some are arguing that the Nets got the raw end of this deal, I can guarantee you the state of Utah just passed out and when they woke up they ran to the pharmacy to raid it for anti-depressants.
In a matter of months they lost Boozer and D-Will. Are Harris and Jefferson adequate alternatives and does Favors have a legit shot at becoming a star? Sure. But it's never an easy pill to swallow when your team deals THE crowd favorite and face of the franchise for someone who was not that even for a bad franchise.
D-Will and Lopez are a pretty incredible duo.
The East is back on the map, and the West is reeling!
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:19 PM ^
Did you say anti-depressants because Mormon's don't really drink? Though I don't think they take terribly many drugs of any kind either...
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:37 PM ^
cigarrettes and meth
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:16 PM ^
So this is how he made his billions.
February 23rd, 2011 at 1:16 PM ^
Hasn't Derrick Favors been sucking? If he has this is an amazing trade for the Nets.
February 23rd, 2011 at 2:23 PM ^
and he's considered to be raw coming out of GT.
February 23rd, 2011 at 1:36 PM ^
February 23rd, 2011 at 2:09 PM ^
Much as I've hated on the Nets above, I do think this is the right move for them. There are multiple ways they might get Deron to stick around. They gave up significantly less than they allegedly offered for Melo. The team is still terrible, but they still have cap room and might be able to attract a FA this year IF they convince Deron to stay.
The idea suggested above that they get Howard next year is ridiculous, but I think this move was worth the risk. Worst-case scenario, trade Deron next year with an extension and you'll get similar assets back.
February 23rd, 2011 at 3:24 PM ^
got robbed.