Utah Jazz guard Deron Williams (8) shoots over San Antonio Spurs forward DeJuan Blair (45) during the second half of their NBA basketball game in Salt Lake City, Utah, Jan 26, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

NEW YORK - The struggling New Jersey Nets acquired All-Star point guard Deron Williams from the Utah Jazz in a three-player trade after missing out in their pursuit of Carmelo Anthony.

The Nets, who were openly interested in acquiring Anthony until his trade to the New York Knicks, agreed to send guard Devin Harris, forward Derrick Favors, two first-round draft picks and cash to Utah for Williams.

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"We are very excited to add a player with the caliber of Deron Williams to our roster," Nets general manager Billy King said in a statement.

"He is one of the premier point guards in the NBA, and his skill and talent level will bolster our franchise as we continue to build towards our goal of becoming a championship-caliber team."

The 26-year-old Williams, selected third overall by Utah in the 2005 NBA Draft, is averaging a career-high 21.3 points per game this season along with 9.7 assists and 3.9 rebounds.

Favors, the third overall pick in last year's NBA draft, is averaging 6.3 points and 5.3 rebounds this season.

Harris, who spent three-plus seasons in Dallas before being traded to New Jersey in 2008, is averaging 15.0 points and a career-high 7.6 assists in this campaign.