...think about these too....

So many possibilities! I worked out so much stuff to be done in the next two days.

Some important issues.....


INDIANA and CHICAGO

After I made that trade work today, I realized that Chicago has another possibility, like Dallas did with Van Horn, in a sign-and-trade with P.J. Brown, who hasn't played this season. But it seems like they've had the chance to use that a couple times, and either he's said no or it didn't work. So I don't know if they can do that now. I do know that the Pacers would love it if the Bulls would take on Jamaal Tinsley's contract, and the Bulls would need someone to back up Chris Duhon after that trade. Maybe they could work it out.

RONNIE RON

Lots of specualtion about Artest lingers, and Denver seems like an interested candidate. Here's the trade many have heard:

SACTO deals Artest to DENVER for Eduardo Najera and Linus Kleiza

I don't think the Nugs need that; they need to just hope that Kenyon Martin and Nene get healthy and not take on any more big contracts. UNLESS....

ARTEST POSS 1

Kings deal Artest and Kenny Thomas to DENVER for J.R. Smith, Nene, and Eduardo Najera

If the Nuggs can convince the Kings to take Nene instead of Kleiza, then I think the Kings may want some help. First, they get rid of Thomas' contract, which helps. Then, they get cap relief with Najera and a chance to maybe give Smith something. Who knows if he can pan out, but he's still young and a good shooter.

Of course, Nene and Artest can be traded straight-up, but do the Kings take that risk? If they accept Nene's big contract with his injury history, they'll probably want more.

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But I think that the Nuggs should make another move (more on that later) and that the Kings should do what I've been saying for a while: send Ron home. It might be the only way to ensure his sanity, and he can help the Knicks immensely, since he plays D and he will allow David Lee to play more.

ARTEST POSS 2

SAC deals Artest and Thomas to NEW YORK for Zach Randolph and Fred Jones

This is much better. I know, it's an exchange of two head cases, and peopel are leery about getting either one of them. But Randolph is pissed with Eddy Curry (yes, Isiah, we told you it wouldn't work) and wants out..... he could be the guy in Sacto. Artest gives New York swagger, and much improved D, since trading Randolph will free up more time for Lee and Renaldo Balkman. I've been pushing for this to happen all season, and I know the Kings now want to take a look at Shelden Williams, but Zach is a proven scorer and it would give them a real post threat for once. And they get rid of Thomas and some cap space. New York will always take on big contracts to get what they want. Sacto can take advantage of that.

DENVER

So if Denver doesn't take Artest, then what? I think they just need to give Kleiza some time at the four if everyone is hurt. But I do think there's an easy trade for them:

DENVER trades Najera and Von Wafer to MINNESOTA for Marko Jaric

This isn't much but it makes a lot of sense. Minnesota has been dying to get rid of Jaric, ever since they made that God-awful trade. The Nuggs need someone who can handle a little bit, ot let Iverson play off the ball, who is a shooter. Jaric hasn't been a great starter, but I think he'll fit well next to Iverson as a tall point in some lineups.

Now... this next one almost went through, but it's just a littlllllllllllllle bit too much for Denver. Don't they have more people to trade? All they need is to bring back someone they cut and include them. This one gives Denver more rebounding and Minnesota even more cap relief:

DENVER trades Najera, Wafer, and Yakhouba Diawara (plus a little extra) to MINN for Jaric and Mark Madsen

Man, that would be a great easy trade for both these teams. The Wolves would get so much relief this summer with Jaric and Madsen gone, plus the Infamous Horrible Theo Ratliff contract finally over. I hope Denver is listening.

SAM I AM

Sadly, the Celtics cannot get Sam Cassell through any kind of logical trade. All the guys they can afford to trade are too cheap, and L.A. isn't going to take a multi-year deal for an expiring one, even if it's not that much. I was wondering if they could negotiate some sort of under-the-table deal where the Celts send Gabe Pruitt and a first round pick to the Clips for a couple second rounders in the far future.... with the understanding that the Clippers will release Cassell at some point. I think the Commish would find that too obvious. Alas.

LEBRON IS ANGRY

Is he? Everyone assumes so, after his team failed to land Bibby, then saw the not-too-impressive deal that actually worked. He did campaign for Kidd or someone big to help.

Since everything he does is being monitored closely, it's hard to believe that he likes this team. The pressure on Danny Ferry to get him a supporting cast is mounting with every scowl. Yet, I think Ferry might be able to convince him that now is not the time. Cleveland doesn't have much to trade with right now unless they give up key players, and I think that was why they didn't get Bibby (Sacramento needed at least one potential big man, and they wanted to keep Gooden, and I don't blame them).

After the season, however, Cleveland suddenly has some pull. Eric Snow, Donyell Marshall, and Damon Jones will all be in the last year of their deals NEXT year, so they will be attractive come summertime and into next season. Cleveland will have almost 16 million in expiring contracts next year, which can get them some big time help from teams looking for cap relief. Right now, they have Ira Newble for 3 mil and Shannon Brown for 1. That's not gonna be enough unless they part with Gooden or Varejao, and those guys are too important.

And no one will take on the contracts of Hughes or Illgauskas. Sorry.

So maybe he can get LeBron to calm down a little and promise him a very big splash in the summer or at the beginning of next year. BUT THEN..... hasn't LeBron been killing himself this year???? He looks great, he's trying hard, and he's more dedicated than ever. Telling him to wait is tough. He's playing better than just about everyone.

So if Ferry feels the heat to do something now, here are two ideas of how to help:

CAVS POSS 1: SAVE J.J.!!!

ORLANDO trades J. J. Redick, James Augustine, and Keith Bogans to CLEVELAND for Sasha Pavlovic and Cedric Simmons, plus a future first rounder

Orlando keeps saying that they will not trade Redick. But then they don't play him, even though they need shooting. I think they need an upgrade at two guard over the redundant Bogans-Mo Evans combo. I also think they won't play Redick because he can't be a full two guard, but they have three point guards and he's not that either. He is like a Steve Kerr, a small guard who can shoot but needs to be in a system where he's not the main passer.

Cleveland is that place. They wanted Bibby because he's not a pure point - he's a good shooter who plays off other passers. Cleveland has two guys who can handle; they want someone who can shoot. That's how Dan Gibson made it. With him and Redick in the fold, they'd have two guys who could fill that position and shoot and not have to worry about handling. Bogans is insurance and will give them a little cap relief this year.

Meanwhile, Orlando gets Pavlovic, a good shooter with more size who isn't getting time in Cleveland. They might also take a look at Simmons, since they need a forward next to Dwight who can board. And they'll get a draft pick. I like this, especially if Orlando is not serious about their claim to keep Redick.

Now....

If LeBron really is adamant about getting someone now, and he wants that someone to be a true point like Jason Kidd, he can call up my old friends in Philly.

CAVS POSS 2: RETURN OF ANDRE

CAVS trade Ced Simmons, Ira Newble, Shannon Brown, draft pick, and Damon Jones to PHILLY for Andre Miller

The Sixers have been waffling on the decision to keep Miller or trade him. They are in a youth movement, and they want to give Louis Williams more time, but Miller has been good this year. They have a shot at the playoffs, somehow, but that's mostly because the conference sucks. Will they make a deal?

I would take this one. They get some cap relief now, and then more later (as some old terrible ones expire). They get two guys they might want to look at in Simmons and Brown, former first rounders, and then another draft pick. It's something. If they're just going to let Miller go after next year anyway, they might as well get something for him.... this is the last remnant of the trade that ended Iverson's time here, you know.

They didn't give up last year, but maybe now they'll see that they need a star player to really get ahead. I'd rather see them get a top three pick than win 36 games and get swept in the first round. That's not getting them anywhere.... they need a big impact guy soon. Give the kids time and let them rough it out. Atlanta and Chicago need to make the playoffs much more than we do.

For the Cavs, I guess it works. If LeBron likes it, I have to think it helps Cleveland. I'd use Miller and Pavlovic together, then bring in Hughes and Gibson. They'd have depth, for sure, but I don't know if it fits that system. Maybe LB is tired of doing everything and wants to play off the ball more. This could do that.

That's all I have for now, although I have a feeling there could be some post-deadline cuts and moves that will help teams.