The New Jersey Nets have traded third-year guard Marcus Williams to the Golden State Warriors for future draft considerations, Nets President Rod Thorn announced Tuesday.
“Marcus is a good, young ballplayer with outstanding skills,” said Thorn. “This transaction allows us to acquire another future asset, and we wish Marcus the best in his basketball future.”
Williams, 22, was a member of the NBA’s All-Rookie Second Team with New Jersey following the 2006-07 campaign, when he averaged 6.8 points and 3.3 assists in 79 games (16.6 mpg). He was selected to play with the rookie squad in the 2007 Rookie Challenge during All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas and his season assist total (260) represented the third-most all-time for a Nets’ first-year player. His rookie season was highlighted by a career-high 27 point performance against the Suns in Phoenix (11/24/06).
“We are happy to add a player like Marcus to our roster,” said Mullin. “We felt that we needed to acquire another point guard and a player who is capable of running our offense and expanding our depth. We feel that Marcus can contribute to our cause next season.”
Last season (2007-08), Williams averaged 5.9 points and 2.6 assists in 53 games with the Nets (16.1 mpg), highlighted by a season-high 25 point performance 2/20 vs. Chicago and career-best 13 assist outing 2/23 vs. Indiana. Additionally, the 6’3” guard averaged 11.7 points and 4.6 assists in 17 outings last season when logging at least 20 minutes. He missed the first 23 games of the campaign due to a fractured fifth metatarsal in his right foot.
The first round selection the Nets obtained from Golden State will either be lottery protected 1-14 in 2011, lottery protected 1-11 in 2012 or lottery protected 1-10 in 2013. If the Nets do not use any of these picks, the Nets will receive Golden State’s second round picks in 2013 and 2015.
