With less than an hour and a half remaining before the trade deadline, the New Jersey Nets and Portland Trail Blazers are attempting to work out an extremely one-sided transaction. Then again, given all of the turmoil in the Blazers’ locker room right now, maybe it makes perfect sense.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports, the deal would entail Portland shipping Gerald Wallace to New Jersey for a package of Mehmet Okur, Shawne Williams and a protected 2012 draft pick. The pick would be protected through the third pick, apparently.
Via Twitter:
Blazers have reached agreement in principle to send Gerald Wallace to Nets for 2 players and protected 2012 1st-round pick, source tells Y!
The Nets send Okur, Shawne Williams and a 2012 draft pick protected thru No. 3, sources tell Y! Nets trying to surround Deron Williams now.
This is a head scratcher on the Portland end, regardless of how you look at it. The team is admittedly growing through a rough period right now, but surely there was something better out there for Wallace’s services than a ho-hum package like the one they’ll ultimately receive.
On the other side of the equation, it’s equally unclear what the endgame is for Mikhail Prokhorov's group. Wallace is a solid piece, no doubt, but will he really be the guy to entice Deron Williams to stay a Net? Or is this strictly a move to make a late push for the No. 8 seed in the East?
We'll find out soon enough.
Related Content
2012 NBA Trade Rumors: 76ers, Celtics, Knicks, Nets, Raptors
2012 NBA Trade Rumors: Grizzlies, Hornets, Mavs, Rockets, Spurs
2012 NBA Trade Rumors: Bucks, Bulls, Cavs, Pacers, Pistons
2012 NBA Trade Rumors: Bobcats, Hawks, Heat, Magic, Wizards
10 Greatest Los Angeles Lakers Players of All Time
NBA Trade Rumor: 3-Team Deal Between Lakers, Timberwolves, Blazers