Utah Jazz: The Deron Williams Deal Was Great!

Remember last offseason when Cleveland and Toronto were left with nothing but late first-round picks and trade exceptions for LeBron James and Chris Bosh?

Looks like teams like Denver and Utah weren’t going out that way.

With the Nuggets and Jazz moving Carmelo Anthony and Deron Williams, both did what the Cavs and Raptors didn't: decrease the time it will take to rebuild a franchise. When you trade for superstars, you will never get fair value for him. Instead, teams will try to get back 60 or 70 cents on the dollar for him.

In Utah's case, I love what they got back

The Nets gave up two first round picks—Devin Harris and Derrick Favors—for Deron Williams. To me, this doesn’t make Utah much worse then what they were. In fact, I think this could make them better down the road.

Devin Harris is nowhere near Deron Williams in the overall talent department, but is a solid point guard who could be serviceable for Utah. Derrick Favors is a very important piece here. Currently, Favors averages 6.3 points and 5.3 rebounds, and might be in contention to start.

Why is that important?

Having Favors start allows Milsap to go to the bench and be even more effective.

The other two huge pieces? Those two first-round picks heading to Utah.

The first pick is New Jersey’s 2011 first-round pick. That’s a big haul, because the Nets are a bottom-6 team (currently 17-40), and that pick could be a HUGE pick for Utah. Imagine Utah grabbing Baylor’s Perry Jones or North Carolina’s Harrison Barnes in the draft? (Note: I tried so hard to not say Utah is taking Jimmer Fredette from BYU. Couldn’t hold it.)

The second pick is Golden State’s 2012 first-round pick. While I’m in the minority believing that pick won’t be a lottery pick, The Jazz will potentially have two of the top-20 picks in the 2012 draft.

No matter what happens now, Utah threw out their biggest chip and got a great deal in return.

The bigger question now is, does Utah move Al Jefferson?

Paul Milsap?

Only time will tell, but good job, Utah. No 26-game losing streak in your sights.