Trading Deadline Winners And Losers

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS: I get it. They're 0-3 since the trading deadline but do you really believe that they're a worse team than before the deadline? They traded Zydrunas Ilgauskas (who may come back after a month or so although word is going around that the NBA won't allow that) and a first-round pick for Antawn Jamison and Sebastian Telfair. It's the "stretch four" they've always needed and they are deep in the power forward position (J.J. Hickson, Anderson Varejao, and don't forget Leon Powe). Plus Jamison's all-around game is a mismatch to their opponent's 4. And if they do get Big Z back, I don't see how they "lost" this trade. They'll get it together. They have turned into favorites almost overnight.

DALLAS MAVERICKS: They trade away Josh Howard, who has fallen out of favor with the team, for Caron Butler, who really needed a change of scenery from that troubled Wizards team. But Dallas also got Brendan Haywood, a much-needed big to counter the length of the champions, the Los Angeles Lakers. Right now, Erick Dampier is hurt so Haywood will get plenty of burn and try to acclimate himself within the Maverick system. All-in-all, they didn't give up much to get those two main guys. The Mavericks' depth is better than ever.

PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS: Even if it's just for a 30-game rental, Marcus Camby provides something that the Blazers haven't had in months: inside presence. This might be enough to fuel a playoff run for Portland, which is badly needed for a city that only has the Blazers to cheer for.

CHARLOTTE BOBCATS: I'm not too high on Tyrus Thomas myself but he does give some shotblocking to a team that sorely needs it. They gave up Flip Murray, Acie Law, and a second-rounder. Chicago was willing to sacrifice some parts to get into this summer's sweepstakes. With Thomas protecting the paint, he could be the key to the Bobcats' run to their first-ever playoff berth.

MILWAUKEE BUCKS: They got John Salmons, another Chicago casualty towards their run for LeBron, for Hakim Warrick and Joe Alexander. John Salmons provides much-needed depth on the 2-guard position for the Bucks and gives the Bucks another scoring option. Considering they only lost Hakim Warrick and Joe Alexander, this is easily a no-brainer deal for Milwaukee.

HOUSTON ROCKETS: Kevin Martin gives the Rockets a legitimate first scoring option (and efficient, too!). And those two first-round picks (2011, 2012) from the Knicks could prove to be huge, provided that the Knicks bungle this summer.

LOSERS

SAN ANTONIO SPURS: Richard Jefferson hasn't worked out for these Spurs and San Antonio couldn't get rid of him. They may be doomed for another first-round exit, which would be a major disappointment considering they were labeled title contenders by most people (me).

BOSTON CELTICS: I'm not a fan of the Nate Robinson trade. I don't think he's the answer in their backcourt woes. Yes, he becomes the back-up to Rajon Rondo and Nate can score better than Eddie House, the guy they traded away for him. But Eddie was a fan favorite and I'm not so sure how Nate fits in with these guys that pride themselves on chemistry.

MIAMI HEAT: They had a chance to get Amar'e Stoudemire but instead, they didn't end up doing anything. The Heat still don't have the supporting cast to help out Dwyane Wade... and Wade is getting just a little bit restless in South Beach.

IF THIS PLAN GOES AWRY, THEY COMPLETELY LOSE

NEW YORK KNICKS: They did everything correctly. They have enough money to cash in on two max free agents. But what if they don't get LeBron James? What kind of team will the Knicks put together then? They'd better have a Plan B for this.