The Nets are grateful to have Deron Williams on their roster.

"I still have to look to see that it says 'Deron Williams'," general manager Billy King said of his roster grease board.

For months, New Jersey coveted Carmelo Anthony.

"I always thought that if I got [Anthony], it would lead to my point guard," King said. "And I’ve always leaned to [Williams] a little more than the other one [Chris Paul] that people were talking about."

The Nets were surprised that the Jazz were open to dealing Williams and talks escalated quickly.