No Carmelo Anthony, no problem.
The Nets made the next best move on Wednesday, sending Devin Harris, rookie forward Derrick Favors two first-round picks and cash to the Utah Jazz for Deron Williams.
The move has to be applauded, especially since the Nets were able to hold on three of the five first-round draft picks they have over the next two years. They also didn’t have to include Kris Humphries in the deal.
The question is can they keep Williams. It’s been reported that Williams wants to play with Anthony and Amar’e in New York. But the Nets may have enough to convince Williams to stay. A move to Brooklyn is right around the corner. If you combine that with high-scoring center Brook Lopez and the multiple draft picks, the Nets could get better very quickly.
The Nets haven’t made a trade of this nature since then-GM Rod Thorn pulled the trigger on a trade for Jason Kidd a decade ago.
No, this doesn’t put the Nets in the Knicks class, nor does it create as much buzz, but Avery Johnson and his crew have a fighting chance now.