Trade Deadline: Movers & Shakers

[IamQuailman]

It's everyone's favorite day in the Sim League Regular Season... TRADE DEADLINE DAY! Let's take a look at some of the teams that are more (or less) likely to make a move before 5PM CST hits this afternoon. Futhermore, let's take a glance at some of the moves thus far (will update throughout the day).

Teams on the Move:
Spurs - The San Antonio Spurs have been actively shopping Jamal Magloire for the entire season, with no luck in moving. With lotto balls in sight, the Spurs GM is adamant about moving Magloire, despite viable trade partners becoming less and less. I would be surprised if Magloire is still in a Spurs jersey by the end of the day.

Supersonics - Trade deadline is Darth's baby, and you can't keep him away from making a move to make his team better. He's looking to make a serious push in the West, and he has all the tools to make a game-changing move possible.

Hornets - What was just said about the Sonics could also be said for the Hornets. Nick Malone is never afraid to blow it up and make a big move at trade deadline. I don't see a big move to be made here without impacting his core, but it's Nick and it's Trade Deadline. He'll be involved in a trade, one way or another.

Suns - The Suns have been quietly tapping into many front offices, seeking out game-changing moves. After a tough sim, they find themselves on the outside of the playoff picture looking in, and are trying to will themselves back into it. Only 3 games out, they have a shot, but only if they make a move.

Grizzlies - With Bobby Simmons hurt for a month and the Grizzlies in a tight race for the Midwest Division (3 games back of the Nuggets, more on that later), making a move to help sustain their recent success may be an option. The GM has gone on record saying that Kyle Lowry is available and that he's willing to make a splash. No guarantees here, but the Grizzlies are likely to be active in some capacity.

Trailblazers - After another slow start out the gate and a failed big move in Pau Gasol, the Blazers have started their rebuild the right way. Gasol and Foster have been shipped out, and with other big names like Dunleavy, Terry, Butler, and Giricek on their roster, look for them to continue the purge and set themselves into motion for a full rebuild.

Teams Standing Pat:
Kings - If it ain't broke, don't fix it. The Kings are SURGING at this point, putting the league on notice that Tracey McGrady is still the best player in the league, no argument. He may dangle his Deng out there, but no one wants to bite on that. Not to mention, why would he want to hurt his team's chemistry when they have hit stride at just the right time.

Jazz - I don't know if it's the fact that the Jazz won't or can't make a move. They have a lot of top tier assets on their team, in the name of Tim Duncan, Stephen Jackson, and Bonzi Wells. With Samaki being the lone mid-tier player, the rest of them take a nose dive after that. If the Jazz make a move, it will be a small one at best, trying to get some kind of role player to help out their bench.

Bucks - After the recent trade for Jeff Foster, the Bucks literally can't move anyone else outside of 5 players, of which 4 are starters (Stoudemire, Artest, Battier, and Van Exel). Insiders have told me that if anyone moves, it would be Battier, but the Bucks have made numerous moves to sustain success and get under the cap. I don't forsee another move happening to undo all that was done.

Knicks - Knicks are sitting in the 8th seed currently, with the Nets and Bulls 4 or less games back from them. Blowing it up now may be too late. They could make a push, but they aren't interested in mortaging the future on the present.

Cavaliers - With the Stewards at the helm, highly doubt anything will happen.

Notable moves thus far...

Pau Gasol to the Hawks - Hawks really kicked off traded deadline with a splash. Pennies on the dollar for a guy who can score and play defense. Hawks are looking more dangerous than ever.

Bucks acquire Foster - Central going all in on the Portland firesale. Bucks sent out some young talent with good potential, but in return got a legit rebounder and defender at the 5.

Kidd started from the bottom now he's a Nugget - What seems like a lateral move is actually a great move for both squads. Rockets are 11 points shy of paying off their tax debt, and the Nuggets shed themselves of Chauncey Billups contract. But does losing Chauncey hurt the Nuggets? They've been doing pretty fine without him until now. Why stop? DON'T STOP, GET IT GET IT.

Arenas travels again, While Big Cat plays with some Timberpups - A pretty mutually beneficial trade right here. The Timberwolves get the perfect compliment to Chris Bosh down, putting a 7' rebounding/defensive big next to the Dinosaur. Meanwhile the Spurs bring in a veteran guard that could easily become a star in the Lone Star State. Gilbert has a chance to showcase his game this season, and potentially find a home in the basement of the Alamo.

Celtics shed salary - Nothing special here, but Celtics saving some cash. Celtics actually got 1 point out of the transaction to put towards their tax bill. Well done!

Blockbuster Rookie Swap: Seattle gets Horny, Cavs get a Spaniard - Whoa. No one saw this one coming. Marc Gasol on the move, and more importantly, we have seen the first time a council of Stewards have made a substantial impact on a franchise. This trade works out though. Horford brings everything DarthVegito is looking for in Seattle, and with Cleveland having a lost season, getting Marc Gasol who will take some time to develop plays into that build for the future mentality. Shocked that the Stewards made that deal... Horford looks like a baller.

Dallas gets 7' of Snolowokandi - Nothing major here. Timberwolves, after grabbing Magloire, dump Olowokandi in Dallas. Pure cap move/salary dump. Tax man is sad.

New Jersey nets Ricky Davis - The race for the 8th seed is heating up. With the Knicks and Bulls standing pat (so far) and the Sixers fighting injuries, the Nets went in and grabbed Ricky Davis from the Toronto Raptors. Davis is an instant upgrade over Raja Bell on the offensive side of the ball, and isn't too shabby on defense either. They gave up a 2010 1st, but honestly, the Nets are looking good, and barring any catastrophic injuries (or Billy King taking over), that pick should be a non-lotto pick. The Raptors do themselves a favor and shed a little cap in the offseason, along with getting a pick and (most importantly) get an asset in losing a legit scoring threat on their team. Bell and Crawford won't pick up the slack, and that should help get a few more Ls for that Toronto Tank.

[IamQuailman]

Updated for Wolves-Spurs trade

[IamQuailman]

Updted through most recent trades

[IamQuailman]

Updated again!

[TheSyndicate]

This was entertaining. Thanks, Derg.

[JNR]

Yeah this was a great trade article. Thanks for the writeups

[IamQuailman]

Thanks guys

5 POINTS AWARDED TO ME!

[IamQuailman]

Updating: This article qualifies for 5 POINTS, because it is league focused and thorough.