New Jersey Acquired Kris Humphries and Shawne Williams
On January 11, 2010, the Nets traded veteran forward Eduardo Nájera to Dallas for young frontcourt player Kris Humphries and wing Shawne Williams. The Mavericks had previously used Nájera as an energetic defender during his first stint with Dallas and wanted him back in a reserve role. New Jersey sought younger players and more rebounding opportunities during a rebuilding season. Both franchises’ transaction registers describe a direct two-for-one exchange, without cash or a future first-round choice. The transaction would prove more productive for the Nets than the low-profile player names suggested at the time, particularly as Humphries was given increased minutes when New Jersey’s roster changed. Williams did not become an equally important long-term contributor for the franchise, so the two incoming players should not receive equal credit.
Humphries Became a Double-Digit Nets Rebounder
Humphries improved considerably after joining New Jersey. In 2010-11 he became a regular frontcourt starter and averaged a double-double, contributing both inside scoring and more than ten rebounds per game. He repeated that level of rebounding during the lockout-shortened 2011-12 season, before the franchise moved to Brooklyn. Those were genuine Nets seasons arising from the January 2010 acquisition, not production borrowed from his later Boston, Washington or Atlanta teams. New Jersey’s C+ inherited grade is conservative compared with the number of games and rebounds Humphries ultimately delivered. The club obtained a useful starting power forward in exchange for a veteran reserve, a favorable result that does not require inventing a lottery pick or other compensation. Humphries was also available during the team’s broader effort to add star talent through subsequent trades.
Nájera Returned to Dallas for Veteran Bench Minutes
Nájera helped Dallas with veteran defense and hustle, but this second Mavericks stint was not equivalent to Humphries becoming a full-time Nets rebounder. Dallas had other power forwards and centers capable of taking the main rotation minutes, so its use of Nájera was more specialized. Shawne Williams did not become a major New Jersey scorer from this particular acquisition, but the long-term value of Humphries was enough to justify the narrow inherited Nets winner. Dallas’s C grade reflects legitimate depth from a known reserve, and the franchise went on to become a championship team in 2011 through other major roster changes. The Mavericks’ later championship season should not be wholly credited to Nájera or counted as a direct return from this trade. The teams made different calculations about experience and development.
Final Verdict
Slight Nets Edge. New Jersey receives C+ for Kris Humphries and Shawne Williams, with Humphries subsequently developing into a double-double rebounder over multiple Nets seasons. Dallas gets C for Eduardo Nájera’s reserve contribution. The frontcourt production New Jersey received was more durable than the initial transaction suggested.