Vujacic to join Nets after 3-team trade

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., Dec. 15 (UPI) -- Guard Sasha Vujacic has been traded to the New Jersey Nets from the Los Angeles Lakers in a deal announced Wednesday that also involved the Houston Rockets.

The Nets sent forward Joe Smith to the Lakers and guard Terrence Williams to the Rockets. New Jersey, in addition to Vujacic, will get the Lakers' first-round draft selection next year and Houston's first-round pick in 2012.

The Nets gave up two second-round selections to the Lakers, who also picked up the rights to Sergei Lishchuk from the Rockets.

Vujacic has been with Los Angeles for his entire seven-year NBA career, averaging 4.8 points and 1.7 rebounds over 420 games. Smith, who broke into the league in the 1995-96 season, has played in just four games this year. Williams, in 10 games for New Jersey this season, averaged 6.7 points and 3.6 rebounds.

"This trade benefits our team in both the short and long term," New Jersey General Manager Billy King said. "Sasha is a veteran NBA player who will add depth to our backcourt rotation, while the addition of the two future number one picks adds to our assets as we look to rebuild into a championship contender."