Shocking news from the NBA today as Jazz all-star point guard Deron Williams was traded to the New Jersey Nets. In the trade, Utah receives F Derrick Favors, G Devin Harris, a first round draft pick, and cash. Here is more from espn.com.

Williams took some heat this month for the retirement of Jazz coach Jerry Sloan. The two had disagreed during halftime of a home loss to the Bulls on Feb. 9. Sloan retired the next day.

"Maybe arguing was the last straw, so there I am, guilty of that," Williams said at the time. "But I think anybody who believes I could force coach Sloan to resign is crazy. He's stronger than that and personally if I said that to him, he'd probably go tell me to go do something."

More critical to Williams' situation is the fact that he can become a free agent after next season and hadn't made headway with the Jazz on a new deal. Utah could have faced the same kind of circus atmosphere that the Nuggets encountered with Anthony this season.

Unlike Anthony, who could opt out of his contract after this season and was allowed under the current collective bargaining agreement to sign an extension with the Knicks, Williams can't opt out until after next season and can't sign an extension until July 2011. The current CBA expires after this season, however, making all contract talk uncertain.

http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nba/news/story?id=6150419

There is no gurantee that Williams will sign an extension next season, but New Jersey felt he was worth the risk. The Jazz on the other hand, got a raw rookie that plays the in the front court where starters Paul Milsap and Al Jefferson already eat up most of the minutes. Devin Harris is not even close to the point guard Deron Williams is. On paper, this trade makes no sense for Utah, which is why speculation that the Sloan turmoil had something to do with it.

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