New Jersey Nets: Ranking the Top 5 Trades Since 2000

Al Bello/Getty Images

Aside from the playoffs, the most exciting part of the season for the fans might be the trade deadline.

This is where teams move and acquire players to either help the team contend or to rebuild for the future.

Over the past decade or so, the New Jersey Nets have made quite a number of blockbuster deals to acquire star players.

In the next five slides, I will rank each of the top trades the Nets have pulled off dating back to 2000.

5. Devin Harris from the Mavericks

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

February 19, 2008

The Deal: Nets acquire Devin Harris, Trenton Hassell, Maurice Ager, DeSagana Diop and Keith Van Horn, two first round picks and cash considerations from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Jason Kidd, Antoine Wright and Malik Allen.

While with the Mavericks, Devin Harris was really never more than a decent point guard. But when the Nets took a chance and traded for him, it looked as if it was going to be a major steal.

In his first full season with the Nets, Harris averaged 21.3 PPG and 6.9 APG. He gave the fans something to cheer for and brought new found excitement to New Jersey.

Though he never budded into the star Nets' fans had hoped for, he did have a few good seasons in New Jersey. But his play isn't the only reason he is on the list. He was also used as trade bait to bring a NBA star to New Jersey.

4. Richard Jefferson from the Houston Rockets

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

June 27, 2001

The Deal: Nets trade the draft rights to Eddie Griffin to the Houston Rockets in exchange for the draft rights to Richard Jefferson, Jason Collins and Brandon Armstrong.

Richard Jefferson was drafted 13th overall in the 2001 NBA Draft, and then immediately shipped to New Jersey.

He ended up playing seven seasons with the Nets. Jefferson, during his tenure in New Jersey, was one of the most underrated small forwards in the game. He had the ability to score in a variety of ways, as well as rebound and pass with efficiency.

It's a shame Jefferson couldn't win a ring during his time with the Nets.

His final season as a Net, in 2007, was his best. He averaged 22.7 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 3.1 APG.

3. Jason Kidd from the Phoenix Suns

Chris Trotman/Getty Images

July 18, 2001.

The Deal: Nets trade Stephon Marbury, Johnny Newman, Soumaila Samake to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Jason Kidd and Chris Dudley

Upon Kidd's arrival, the Nets instantly become a MUCH better team. Finally they got a point guard that could take over a game like Kidd could.

Kidd's versatility is what made him a top point guard in the game. A few poor seasons in Dallas since departing from the Nets has given him deceitful stats. For his career, he has averaged 13.1 PPG, 6.5 RPG, and 9.1 APG. But while with the Nets, he was putting up amazing numbers.

Kidd will go down as one of the best point guards to ever play the game. He helped get the Nets to the finals in the 2001-2002 season, despite falling short. The Nets were lucky to have a player of his caliber running the show in New Jersey for seven years.

2. Vince Carter from the Toronto Raptors

Al Bello/Getty Images

December 17, 2004

The Deal: Nets trade Alonzo Mourning, Aaron Williams, Eric Williams, and two first round picks to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Vince Carter.

What makes this trade so historic is the fact that the Nets acquired Vince Carter for basically nothing. They sent two meaningless players in Aaron Williams (5.8 career PPG) and Eric Williams (8.6 career PPG), an aging Alonzo Mourning on the downside of his remarkable career, and two first round picks that ended up being Joey Graham and Renaldo Balkman.

This package was able to haul in one of the most talented and electrifying players in the league. Vince Carter hit countless big shots for the Nets down the stretch. He was definitely someone the team could rely on in crunch time. This is something the Nets have lacked ever since dealing Carter to Orlando.

This is one of the most lopsided trades in recent memory. Carter, an eight-time All-Star, is certainly worth more than what the Nets parted with to get him.

1. Deron Williams from the Utah Jazz

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

February 23, 2011

The Deal: The Nets acquire Deron Williams from the Utah Jazz in exchange for Devin Harris, Derrick Favors, a 2011 first round pick (Enes Kanter), a 2012 first round pick, and cash considerations.

If he resigns with the Nets following this season, Deron Williams will be viewed as the savior of a franchise in ruins. A big IF, but it should be noted.

After failing to land Carmelo Anthony, it looked as if the Nets were heading into the 2012 season, and presumably Brooklyn the following season, with one of the worst teams in the league. That is until the Nets traded for two-time All-Star Deron Williams.

Williams has a career average of 17.3 PPG and 9.2 APG. He is the type of player to build a franchise around. If he decides to stay with the Nets and can help lure in talented players, they can be a dangerous team in the Eastern Conference.

Given the desperation and status of the organization at the time of the trade, this has to rank number one on the list.