The New Jersey Nets have acquired 26-year old point guard Deron Williams from the Utah Jazz for 27-year old point guard Devin Harris, 19-year old power forward Derrick Favors, 2 first round picks and cash considerations. Deron Williams wore out his welcome in Utah as he was one of the main reasons that Jerry Sloan hung up his whistle in Salt Lake City. He will try to rehab his image while improving the New Jersey Nets the rest of the year. Williams played in 53 games (all starts) for the Jazz this season and he averaged 37.9 minutes, 21.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 9.7 assists and 1.2 steals per game. He has now played in 439 games (406 starts) in his first six years in the NBA and he is averaging 35.6 minutes, 17.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 9.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game. The Nets expect Williams to improve the offense and hopefully they can convince him to stick around for a few years.
Devin Harris played in 54 games (all starts) for the Nets this season and he averaged 31.9 minutes, 15.0 points, 2.4 rebounds, 7.6 assists and 1.1 steals per game. He should do well in Utah, but he’s nowhere near the player that Deron Williams is. Rookie Derrick Favors played in 56 games (23 starts) for the Nets this season and he averaged 19.5 minutes, 6.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game. Nets’ head coach Avery Johnson seems to think that Favors was going to take a while before he turned into a good player. He is now the Utah Jazz’ problem.
I absolutely love this deal for the Nets as they have finally landed a superstar after getting shut out for LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Carlos Boozer and Carmelo Anthony. Now it’s up to the Nets to convince Williams to stick around for the long haul.