Deron-ron-ron-ron Spurned by Carmelo Anthony, the Atlantic Division got a little bit richer as the New Jersey Nets traded Devin Harris, Derrick Favors and two first rounders to Utah for Deron Williams.
Williams is a free agent after next season and I assume the Nets want to (or feel they can) extend him over the summer. I don't see Williams making an immediate impact although it does make the Nets a lot better. Maybe an off-season and a contract-year from Williams puts them in the playoffs. If nothing else, the Russian Mark Cuban just wants to make a splash.
What I don't get about Utah is that they let Jerry Sloan walk for Williams' sake. Then they trade Williams. It's like the Mavericks addressing the Jamal Mashburn-Jason Kidd-Jim Jackson spat by getting rid of all three. Oh. Hold on. They did get rid of all three.
This, however, directly affects the Mavericks. Both Denver and Utah made significant moves and both are Nos. 8 and 7 in the Western Conference and the Mavericks still sit in the No. 2 whole. Chances are, they'll get Denver, Utah, Memphis, New Orleans or Portland in the first round of the playoffs.
Sans Williams and Anthony, this looks like a pretty good deal. Williams was a potential disaster for the Mavericks. Against Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, Roddy Beaubois and J.J. Barea, he might get 30 points a game. Instead, he's stuck on a 17-win New Jersey team, biding his time.
The other odd note on the Williams trade is that the Jazz are not a bad team. They've got some good players, although I don't think they are as deep as they have been and they let Carlos Boozer, Kyle Korver and Wesley Matthews walk in the off-season. Still, it's a team looking to rebuild a little. Right now, they do not scare me.
Anyway, for the next month, it'll be interesting to see how things shake out with the Nos. 6, 7 and 8 spots in the West and if the Mavericks can maintain the No. 2 seed.
In other news, Mark Cuban needs to start saving his pennies and dimes for 2012 when Williams hits the open market.
