Wed, Feb 23, 2011 at 12:00am

NETS NAB DERON WILLIAMS FROM JAZZ

The New Jersey Nets acquired point guard Deron Williams from the Utah Jazz for point guard Devin Harris, power forward Derrick Favors, two first-round draft picks (one in 2011, one in 2013), and cash ($3 million).

What does it give the New Jersey Nets
They give up a huge list of assets here to land one player, but the Nets at the very least now have a bona fide superstar. Williams is, in the minds of many NBA observers, the planet's finest young point guard. He's also an on-court leader who should be the Nets' driving force for years to come (assuming they can get him signed to the right long-term extension, which is a bit of a question mark considering the NBA's pending labor issues). For now they have Williams until at least the end of next season, and it's unlikely he would have signed off on the move if not expecting to stay a Net. All this said, with the exception of Williams, center Brook Lopez, and surprising power forward Kris Humphries (who's the starter again with Favors gone), Jersey still has a lot of work to do in building a contender. Losing Favors may hurt down the road, but landing Williams makes up for it.

What does it give the Utah Jazz
The Jazz are a very good team in a lot of flux. With longtime head coach Jerry Sloan having called it quits recently (after butting heads with Williams), Utah had a choice to make about their star point guard. They made it, and it's a very solid move all-round. Not only did they face losing him for little or nothing after next season to free agency (an increasing likelihood after the Sloan controversy), but they get a very good point guard in Harris and a future star big-man in Favors. Add in the 1st-round draft picks (New Jersey's from this year, which should be very high, and one next year--formerly belonging to Golden State--which should also be high), and this is a great deal for Utah; they not only stay contenders but get an affordable future superstar in Favors and great draft assets for the future.

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