New York Sports Fan Blog

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Hours after trading Vince Carter in a deal that may not make them a better team next year, the New Jersey Nets used the 11th pick in the NBA draft on Thursday to take someone almost as versatile as the eight-time All Star — Louisville forward Terrence Williams.

Williams played point forward for the Cardinals, which means he can probably play the point, shooting guard or small forward in the pros, something Carter did in his 4 1-2 seasons in New Jersey. Carter and forward Ryan Anderson were traded to the Orlando Magic hours before Thursday’s draft for point guard Rafer Alston, shooting guard Courtney Lee and power forward Tony Battie. As soon as the trade was finalized, Williams had an idea the Nets were going to take him. “It shows you the direction where the team wants to go,” Williams said in a telephone interview. “They’re putting more into me, me and Courtney Lee to fill what Mr. Carter has done. It shows the type of direction we’re going, as far as running. I think we can fill that spot, that void.”

Article by By Tom Canavan, AP Sports Writer on June 25, 2009
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