NBA Trade deadline end Thurs, Who is making moves?

The Dallas Mavericks made a big splash during All Star Weekend by acquiring Caron Butler, Deshawn Stevenson, and Brendan Haywood from the Washington Wizards. In return The Wiz got Josh Howard, Drew Gooden, James Singleton, and Quinton Ross. This trade highly favors the Mavs. With this move Dallas lets the rest of the league know that they want to contend for a title. Caron Butler is a beast and can score for you at a high rate and he is tough. He was Washington's 3rd leading scorer at about 17 Pt's and 7 reb. Haywood is a serviceable big man but is a formidable low post defender. He is more athletic than people think. Haywood averaged just under a double/double with 9 Pt's. and 10 reb per game at the center position. Stevenson is more of a wild card. He gives Dallas even more depth off the bench.

The Portland Trailblazers traded Steve Blake and Travis Outlaw and cash to get Marcus Camby from the Los Angeles Clippers. I like this trade especially for Portland because they are trying to stay in the playoff picture. Portland lost both of its big men( Oden and Pryzbilla) to injury early in the year and have somehow weathered the storm playing small ball. Camby gives them a legit defender. He has led the league in rebounding, block shots, and has been Defensive Player of The Year. Offensively Camby will finish around the basket and has a nice mid range pick and pop jump shot. Camby has proven he can still be efficient even at the ladder stages of his career. I would expect him to be an immediate boost to the young Blazers.

As the trade deadline approaches, Miami and Cleavland are going hard after Amare Stoudemire. Both teams have Super Stars who will be Free Agents this summer in Wade and Lebron. Both Teams want to keep their Franchise players by making moves in the direction of a championship. Cleveland added Shaq this summer who was brought in to battle Dwight Howard if they met in the playoffs. Shaq gives the Cavs the low post presence that they lacked in previous years. Amare would take that to even another level. He has averaged about 20 points and 10 reb the last 5 seasons and is one of the premiere Power Forwards in the game today. With Amare the Cavs would look impressive on paper and would have to seriously be considered the favorite. Miami on the other hand is less likely to win it all this year but with Amare could go deep into the playoffs. With a core of Wade, J O'neal, and Stoudemire that could give Miami a great team for years to come.

So much is riding on the trade deadline as teams scramble to make their last effort at winning the player personnel game. I think Miami needs it more because they lack the fire power to truly compete for a championship. Cleveland as is can compete and possibly win with the group they have assembled now. I would also have to question chemistry issues with Lebron, Shaq and Amare on the same team. Not convinced that will translate into a championship squad. As Thurs approaches who will win the Amare Stoudemire sweepstakes? I tell you what, whoever gets him will have the rest of the league scared and on serious notice.

RP