With the NBA trade deadline coming to an end on Thursday, February 18, many teams have been throwing players around for either playoff potential purposes or salary cap room. Teams that have the upper hand after Thursday are the following.
Teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers are making a big name for themselves by acquiring power forward Antawn Jamison for Zydrunas Ilgauskas and a 2010 first round draft pick. The Cavs are looking to seek LeBrons first NBA title, making them even more of a powerhouse than they already are.
The New York Knicks had a great trade deadline giving and getting what they needed. By clearing Jarred Jefferies million dollar contract for more cap room they also acquired NBA star Tracy McGrady.
The Houston Rockets did a great job by getting rid of T-mac’s contract. Even though they lost one of their key players, Carl Landry, they acquired a better, more versatile Kevin Martin from the Kings. Another key addition to the team was lottery pick Jordan Hill.
Our own Chicago Bulls had a great trade deadline by getting rid of big contracts of Tyrus Thomas and John Salmons the Bulls give themselves a great amount of cap space to go out and get superstars like Chris Bosh or a Dwayne Wade in the off season.
There were some teams that did not capitalize at the deadline. The Phoenix Suns failed to trade Amare Stoudemire and get rid of his contract that expires at the end of the year and the San Antonio Spurs were very disappointing by not going out and acquiring anyone while rival Dallas Mavericks added two key players (Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood).
It will be an intresting off season for the Suns and Mavericks as both teams star player (Dirk Nowitzki and Amare Stoudemire) can opt out of their contract and sign with new teams. It will be the biggest off season signing in NBA history and will be very intresting to see where certain stars will end up.