Star guard off to New Jersey two weeks after coach Sloan's resignation

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey - After losing to rival New York in a bid for playmaker Carmelo Anthony, the New Jersey Nets made a deal on Wednesday to obtain star point guard Deron Williams from the Utah Jazz.

The Nets sent forward Devin Harris, teen guard Derrick Favors and a pair of first-round NBA draft choices, the Nets' pick this year and Golden State's in 2012, to the Jazz in exchange for Williams.

"We are very excited to add a player the caliber of Deron Williams to our roster," Nets General Manager Billy King said. "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."

Williams, 26, is averaging 21.3 points and ranks third in the NBA with 9.7 assists a game. He notably had a confrontation with former Jazz coach Jerry Sloan one day before he resigned two weeks ago after 23 years in the job.

Harris, 27, is averaging 15.0 points and ranks 11th in the NBA with a career-high 7.6 assists a game.

"We feel that we've addressed a current need at point guard with Deron's departure as well as the future with draft picks and a big man," Jazz General Manager Kevin O'Connor said. "To do so we had to give up an All-star, but we feel like this is a win for both sides."

Another move will see the Nets send Troy Murphy and possibly a second-round draft pick to Golden State for big men Brandan Wright and Dan Gadzuric.

The deals come one day before the NBA's trade deadline and reshape the Nets, although not in the same way the blockbuster offer made to Denver would have done if Anthony had joined New Jersey and not the Knicks.

The Nets, out of playoff contention at 17-40, reached the NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003 behind star guard Jason Kidd but lost to the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs.

The Jazz, 31-26, are eighth in the Western Conference, a half game ahead of Memphis in the fight for the final playoff spot.

Williams has career averages of 17.3 points and 9.1 assists in his sixth NBA campaign. He is signed through the 2011-2012 season with a player option on the following season at $17.8 million.

The Nets plan a move to a new arena in Brooklyn in 2012.

Hawks get Hinrich

The Atlanta Hawks joined the NBA's trading spree by acquiring guard Kirk Hinrich in a five-player deal with the Washington Wizards on Wednesday, keeping pace with earlier moves by Eastern Conference competition.

The Hawks also received Hilton Armstrong in the deal, sending point guard Mike Bibby, Maurice Evans, Jordan Crawford and a draft pick to the Wizards, Atlanta said.

"We felt we had a good opportunity to improve our ball club by adding Kirk and Hilton," Hawks Executive Vice President and General Manager Rick Sund said.

"Kirk is a well-rounded player that gives us options at both guard positions. His resume includes significant playoff experience as well."

AFP - Reuters

(China Daily 02/25/2011 page24)