by Nabila Abedin

In further trade deadline ‘headlines’, Deron Williams has been traded to the New Jersey Nets by the Utah Jazz for rookie Derrick Favors, point guard Devin Harris, cash, as well as two first-round draft picks. This is all part of a package deal that will also include the Golden State Warriors who will receive Troy Murphy for Dan Gadzuric, and Brandan Wright.

This deal comes just two days after the Nets missed out on Carmelo Anthony who was traded to the New York Knicks in a powerhouse trade with the Denver Nuggets. Consequently, the Nets had been offering Favors and Harris for Anthony the entire time that they were in talks with the Denver Nuggets. Even though the Nets were not able to acquire Carmelo Anthony, there is no denying that some of the spotlight has shifted across the way to New Jersey. Nets coach Avery Johnson said the following regarding the trade:

“Rarely are you able to trade for somebody that’s one of the top players at their position. We know we had to give up a lot to get him, but we felt it was worth it.”

For Utah, it was a strategic move as Deron Williams was slated to be a member of the 2012 free agent class, in which the Jazz stood to lose the star and receive nothing in return.

If Williams signs an extension with the Nets, which is what they are hoping. He will become the face of the Nets as they prepare to move to their new arena in Brooklyn for the 2012 season. With Williams averaging 21.3 points and 9.7 assists, we can safely say that the Nets have made the impression they were desperately striving to make.