The Nets will say the three-team trade they completed yesterday that landed two first-round drafts picks and Sasha Vujacic at the cost of Terrence Williams, Joe Smith and two second-rounders, was not about Carmelo Anthony.
But if they should wander along that trade path, having additional assets “doesn’t hurt,” according to general manager Billy King, who never used the words “Carmelo” or “Anthony” — or “photosynthesis” for that matter — in his chat with the media yesterday.
“I’m excited we were able to get a player I think can help us . . . as well as getting the picks that are assets for rebuilding or using in future trades or whatever,” King said. “It’s an opportunity for us to get better.”
And the Nets hope that opportunity includes more intense discussions with Denver regarding Anthony.
Despite numerous reports Anthony wants only the Knicks or would rather dunk his head in acid than go to Newark, the Nets remain confident. They have not heard he would agree to New Jersey, they have not heard that he wouldn’t. They just feel they have enough pieces to get him from Denver and that he will agree to the three-year, $65-million extension the Nuggets presented, even if mold now grows on the paperwork.
A Nets package could include any variation of components: rookie Derrick Favors, guard Devin Harris, Troy Murphy and his $11.9 million expiring contract, multiple draft picks.
The Nets also believe the Anthony saga is drawing to a close and could be decided one way or the other by month’s end. And they like having potentially six first-round picks over the next three years.
“I felt like we’ve had assets before, so I don’t think that’s changed,” King said. “We just added more assets.”
The other part of the deal, a major part, is that they jettisoned Williams, who tested coach Avery Johnson through repeated lateness that led to his D-League demotion.
“It was a situation where it wasn’t going to work here for Terrence,” King said.
Johnson insisted the draft picks were imperative. But one is a Lakers pick in 2011 (protected to 18) and L.A. usually is slotted for guys who end up in Norway. The Houston pick, in 2012, is lottery protected. Neither is what Denver wants, but they could be part of any number of potential packages.
“For the most part, you have to build your team through the draft or you have to have valuable assets like Boston did to get a Kevin Garnett or Ray Allen,” said Johnson, whose offensively lacking 6-19 Nets face the Wizards tonight in Newark, where they hope to have Vujacic available in their attempt to end an eight-game skid.
Vujacic was a Lakers teammate of Jordan Farmar (who starts for the hamstring strain-injured Anthony Morrow tonight). Farmar sees Vujacic as an energizer.
“He’s not going to be the savior or the answer to everything, but I think he’ll help in terms of energy level,” said Farmar, claiming Vujacic’s style is “annoying” to opponents.
“We’re going to need him to play immediately,” Johnson said.
And as Johnson continues to remind this is all about development and growth, King said the trade could be the start of more movement.
“The phones have been ringing more. Once you do a deal, people get anxious and want to start doing more deals,” said King, whose next deal could include the object of his first Nets’ acquisition, Murphy, virtually rotting away as a nightly inactive.