SAN ANTONIO -- Sean Williams, a Nets first-round pick, was viewed as the possible successor to Kenyon Martin as a shot blocking, rebounding big man.
Eduardo Najera signed a four-year, $14.25 million contract before last season with the hope he could bring a tough, enforcer presence while serving as a mentor to the Nets' younger players.
Williams had problems off the court and magnified them when the Nets dispatched him to the D-League to work on his game last season and he behaved terribly. Najera essentially became Carl Pavano, never healthy. Now Williams will be released, while Najera is headed to Dallas for Kris Humphries in an agreed-upon trade that will be finalized tomorrow.
So the Nets, who bought out and waived Rafer Alston on Tuesday, continue a veteran purge in their 3-33 nightmare season that continues tonight against the Spurs here (7 p.m., YES, WBBR 1130 AM).
"I'm still here and I'm just looking forward to our next practice and our next game," said Williams, a 4.3 point, 3.5 rebound performer in 126 career games who played dumb about his status.
The Nets won't go the buyout route to create the roster spot. Williams will be waived outright, as the Nets take on two bodies from the Mavericks for Najera, 33, and a $2.4 million trade exception. They'll get Humphries, 25 next month, a 6-foot-9, sixth-season energizer who has been nondescript with three teams, and Shawne Williams, who also will be waived.
Humphries ($3.2 million) adds at least $200,000 to Nets payroll next season, but it's one less year. The trade will be finalized when the NBA offices re-open tomorrow.
Najera played 27 games last season, 13 this year.
Team sources who confirmed the deal said the Nets also are looking to deal other veterans as they prep for the big free agent summer. They're shopping Josh Boone (interest, nothing close), Tony Battie (some interest) and Bobby Simmons (not much interest). Figure Boone goes next.
* Devin Harris (sore right wrist) and Tony Battie (left leg cramp) sat out practice. Harris was headed for X-rays.
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