New Jersey Took a Veteran and Protected First-Round Rights
The Nets acquired guard Sasha Vujačić and two protected first-round selections in a December 2010 deal involving Houston and the Los Angeles Lakers. The picks were linked to later draft identities including JaJuan Johnson and Shane Larkin, although each one's final player destination depended on subsequent moves. New Jersey was willing to give up Terrence Williams to gain several assets it could retain or trade. Houston chose the younger wing, while the Lakers accepted Joe Smith and future second-round consideration.
Vujačić Provided an Immediate Backcourt Option
Vujačić had experience playing on championship-level Lakers teams and brought perimeter shooting to New Jersey. His arrival did not turn the Nets into a contender, but it gave them a recognizable veteran guard while the organization rebuilt. The associated draft assets were important because they could be exchanged even if the eventual draftees never played for the Nets. The transaction should not attribute every later JaJuan Johnson or Shane Larkin season to New Jersey without tracking those subsequent rights transfers.
Houston and Los Angeles Pursued Different Timelines
The Rockets acquired Williams, an athletic young perimeter player who had shown potential with New Jersey but struggled to establish a stable role. Houston could evaluate that upside in its own system. The Lakers received Smith as a veteran frontcourt option and second-round assets later tied to Darius Morris and Robert Sacre. Smith's earlier success for other teams was not new Los Angeles production, and draft rights carry their own later histories. The packages mixed short-term veterans and longer-term developmental possibilities.
The Nets' Asset Breadth Explains the Narrow Edge
New Jersey received a current NBA guard and multiple future first-round opportunities in exchange for parting with Williams. Houston obtained the younger player it preferred, and the Lakers gained frontcourt depth and lower-round draft options. The inherited Nets B+ compared with Houston B and Los Angeles C+ reflects the relative flexibility of the incoming rights. This isn't a claim that New Jersey secured two first-round stars or that either other club obtained no basketball value.
Final Verdict
Slight Nets Edge. New Jersey earns B+ for Sasha Vujačić and two protected first-round rights later associated with JaJuan Johnson and Shane Larkin. Houston gets B for acquiring Terrence Williams as a developmental wing. The Lakers receive C+ for Joe Smith and two later second-round opportunities. The broader future draft package gives the Nets their inherited edge.