Williams, Gomes, Daniels Headline 3 Team, 9 Player Trade
High flying, shot blocking Nets big man Sean Williams is heading to Minnesota to join the Timberwolves as part of a 3 team trade involving New Jersey and Sacramento.
The knock on Williams is his attitude and work ethic, but Wolves Head Coach Kurt Rambis believes he can turn him around, especially in a run-and-gun system that he would fit in very well in.
Williams exemplifies the player with great talent and potential. Many players have been in his situation and end up doing well once they get a change of scenery. Sometimes, a new team is all a player needs to live up to his potential. And that is exactly what the Wolves are hoping for.
Williams knows he has to work harder. He knows he must take advantage of the opportunity being given to him, no matter how small the playing time.
"Everybody knows I have the skills to be effective as a player, but they worry about my professionalism," said Williams. A lot of other people worry if I can be a professional on and off the court. I'm trying to focus on that. The only thing I'm trying to concentrate on is proving myself as a professional in this league."
"I'm going to take the experience I've had in the past and build on it," Williams added in his most politically correct tone. "I just want to fit in and help this team any way I can."
In exchange for Williams, who averaged 2.1 blocks a game in only 21 minutes a game in his rookie season but has since "fallen off", the Nets will receive vesatile forward Ryan Gomes from Minnesota along with Desmond Mason from Sacramento.
Sacramento will get veteran point guard Antonio Daniels and forward Oleksiy Pecherov from Minnesota and Trenton Hassel from New Jersey.
The Wolves will also receive Sergio Rodriguez, Jarvis Hayes and Kenny Thomas as part of the deal.
Trade Breakdown:
Wolves send: Ryan Gomes (to NJ), Antonio Daniels (to SAC) Oleksiy Pecherov (to SAC)
Nets send: Sean Williams (to MIN), Jarvis Hayes (to MIN), Trenton Hassel (to SAC)
Kings send: Kenny Thomas (to MIN), Sergio Rodriguez (to MIN), Desmond Mason (to NJ)
Why the Wolves do it: The Wolves have been desperately seeking a defensive minded big since the start of the season and hope Sean Williams can fill that role. It's a low-risk, high-reward move. Antonio Daniels desires playing time which he will find in Sacramento in an effort to earn a sizeable contract come next year. Wolves GM David Kahn believes helping players will help the team down the road. Jarvis Hayes provides the team with an outside threat. Sergio Rodriguez has potential but will likely see limited playing time. Kenny Thomas will likely see no playing time.
Why the Nets do it: Williams doesn't fit on the court for the Nets. He is looming in Nets Head Coach Lawrence Frank's doghouse and because of that, struggles to find minutes in a crowded Nets front court. Ryan Gomes has shown consistency and improvement in each of his year in the league and could find himself starting at the 4 spot in a small-ball lineup. Desmond Mason gives the Nets depth in the backcourt and will get minutes with Chris Douglas-Roberts sidelined with an injury.
Why the Kings do it: Daniels is a proven point guard in the league and will likely assume starting duties over the underperforming Beno Udrih. The Kings upgrade their point guard position significantly at little to no cost as sending Thomas, who was rotting on the Kings bench, to Minnesota was nothing more than exchanging expiring contracts. Oleksiy Pecherov could blossom in Sacramento. Taking Trenton Hassel's expiring contract was necessary for the deal to work financially.