The Nets have traded small forward Richard Jefferson to the Bucks for forwards Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons. It will be hard to replace Jefferson as he played in 82 games (all starts) for the Nets last season and he averaged 22.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. The biggest reason for this trade was to free up cap space for the 2010 season in which LeBron James could be a free agent. 20-year old power forward Yi Jianlian did show potential as a rookie last season in Milwaukee. He pitched a fit after getting drafted by the Bucks because he wanted to play in a big city and now he has gotten his wish. Yi played in 66 games (49 starts) as a rookie for the Bucks and he averaged 8.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game. Look for his numbers to improve as he should get a lot more playing time with the Nets in 2008. 28-year old Bobby Simmons is a small forward who will get a chance to help replace the departed Jefferson. Simmons played in 70 games (21 starts) for the Bucks last season and he averaged 7.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. Simmons has now played in 342 games (182 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 10.0 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. This trade might help the Nets in the future if Yi blossoms and the Nets use the cap savings smartly in the future.

The Nets have released center/forward Jamaal Magloire. Magloire was a gigantic disappointment for the Nets this season after signing on as a free agent over the summer. He played in 24 games (2 starts) for the Nets this season and he averaged 10.8 minutes, 1.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game. He only shot 30.6% from the floor and 45.2% from the free throw line. The Nets won’t miss Magloire at all the rest of the season.

The Nets and Mavericks had to change some parts in the proposed Jason Kidd trade and they got it done today. The Nets have traded Jason Kidd, Malik Allen and Antoine Wright to the Mavericks for Devin Harris, DeSagana Diop, Maurice Ager, Trenton Hassell, Keith Van Horn and first round picks in both 2008 + 2010. The Nets will also receive $3 million bucks. Trenton Hassell has been a defensive stopper in his NBA career and the Nets can definately use a player like him. He played in 37 games (6 starts) this season for the Mavericks and he averaged 12.5 minutes, 2.1 points, 1.2 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game. Hassell has now played in 513 games (366 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 26.8 minutes, 6.4 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. Keith Van Horn hasn’t played since the 2005-06 season with the Dallas Mavericks. He has played in 575 games (463 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 31.6 minutes, 16.0 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. The Nets really wanted to rid themselves of Jason Kidd’s contract but they should have gotten more for him. Devin Harris is the only player that the Nets got in return that probably has a future with the team. The Nets better hope that either the pick in 2008 or 2010 turns out to be higher than the Mavericks usually pick to make this trade a win for them.

Both of the trades between the Mavericks and Nets are on hold because Devean George invoked his no-trade clause in his contract. Unless the Nets and Mavericks can talk him into coming to New Jersey, the trades appear to be dead. The Nets value George more because of his expiring contract than anything he can do to help them on the court.

The Nets have traded reserve guard/forward Antoine Wright to the Mavericks for a future 2nd round pick. Wright played in 41 games (10 starts) this season for the Nets and he was averaging 25.8 minutes, 7.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. Wright has now played in 143 games (33 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 17.9 minutes, 4.6 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game.