The New Jersey Nets may have failed in their pursuit for Carmelo Anthony but rebounded by agreeing to a blockbuster trade for Utah’s Deron Williams.

Sources reveal that NBA point guard Deron Williams formerly of the Utah Jazz will be joining the Nets after being acquired in exchange for the New Jersey Nets' Devin Harris and Derrick Favors.

Williams had made it known that he wouldn’t mind joining the New York Knicks after the ballclub acquired Carmelo Anthony a few days back. However it seems the Nets made sure that this time they would not miss out on the opportunity.

The Utah Jazz point guard took some heat ever since the shocking retirement of longtime Jazz coach Jerry Sloan. Many believed that it was Williams who pushed Sloan to the limit although this wasn’t really proven.

Sloan and Williams got into an argument during halftime of their home loss to Chicago last February 9. Sloan announced his retirement the next day.

Regardless, Williams believed that the said “argument” couldn’t be enough to push Sloan into quitting.

"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." –Williams (ESPN)

Even NBA legend Karl Malone believed something ticked off Sloan to quit but did not point it directly to Deron Williams.

For the Jazz, they acquire a reliable scoring guard in Devin Harris and promising big man in Derrick Favors. Favors was rumored to be getting the eye of some teams and it looks like the Jazz will have that privilege.

The deal is expected to be officially sealed this Wednesday which also involved the Golden State Warriors while also bringing multiple draft picks to the Utah Jazz franchise.

Brian Yalung, Manila Bulletin