Lest Don Nelson be caught without a backup plan should Monta Ellis clash with his assumed new role as point guard of the Warriors, the team traded a future protected pick to New Jersey for Marcus Williams, according to the New York Post. Williams had basically been demoted to third-string once the Nets traded for Keyon Dooling. Given Williams' value out there, a trade was expected.

Williams won't step in and start for Nellie right away; the coach has focused his narrative this summer on Ellis taking over the point in the absence of Baron Davis. But things could go wrong. No offense C.J. Watson, but Williams could possibly be a legitimate stop-gap if Ellis can't yoke it at the point full-time. Also, if Nellie doesn't last the season (possible) or come back for 2009-10 (likely), Williams provides the successor a more traditional option.

The other thing that strikes me about Williams' fall: he was the steal of the draft as of Draft Night 2006. Two years later, he's cast off for a 2012 pick, despite a reasonable salary and a tight market for point guards. We really need to stop judging draft picks so fast.