D Will Traded

Deron Williams has been traded to the Nets.  This seems to be a complete shocker to the entire sports media and even Deron himself.  In a world where ever whisper is reported, it's quite impressive that these teams pulled off a deal this big with no one knowing about it, even the key figure in the trade.  Deron reportedly found out while in the training room with a few of his now ex-teammates, as the news came across the sports ticker.

Not really sure what's going on in Utah.  Seems dysfunctional to me.  Coach quits and you trade your best player.  Love the trade to New Jersey, even if for only 18 months.  In the next 18 months if they can somehow convince Williams to resign this will be an epic heist.  

Question I need answered for the Jazz is why now?  I imagine they could have got this exact seem deal next year, possibly a better deal if the team knew they could extend him.  

What the Jazz got: Derrick Favors, Devin Harris, and 2 first round draft picks.  Favors is young and still has tons of upside.  My concern, he was never dominate at Georgia Tech and has done nothing this year.  The Jazz were really hoping that they'd be able to draft him in the last draft.  Harris is a serviceable point guard, he never turned the corner to becoming a great point guard after being traded to the Nets for Jason Kidd.  It's possible he just needs a change a scenery, but that new scenery is about to dump the rest of their salaries, if possible.  

What the got: Deron Williams, an elite point guard.  He's constantly in the discussion over who is the best point guard.  Just being in that conversation is enough for me.  They also will receive Dan Gadzuric and Brandan Wright from Golden St.  Gadzuric is just an bad salary they had to take, but Wright has some talent.  Wright in only his second year out of North Carolina has a chance to be a very good player.  Now that he'll get a chance to play, he will have an opportunity to show what he's got.  Hopefully this trade will also wake up Brook Lopez, who thus far has decided to take this season off.

The Nets have no chance of making the playoffs this year and the talent surrounding Williams will be minimal.  Williams is a player you can build around, but the Nets will need to do it fast in the off-season, to be competitive next year. 

By the way, what is going on to the Western Conference.  In two days they lost two of their top 6 players.  Just like that, Steve Nash might be the favorite to make the playoffs.   

This is a great start to the possibilities that await in New Jersey with Mikhail Prokhorov at the helm.  Anything is possible.  Stay tuned.