Cavs are big winners

Published February 19, 2010 5:00am ET



Turns out the NBA trading deadline wasn’t all about Amar’e Stoudemire and the Phoenix Suns. And in the end those two remain paired, for better or worse, for another few months. Other teams left a bigger mark at the deadline.

Winners

Houston » The Rockets positioned themselves well for when center Yao Ming returns from injury next season. They acquired Kevin Martin and Jordan Hill, and have two potentially attractive first-round picks from New York.

Cleveland » Former Wizard Antawn Jamison gives them a stretch forward who should feast off attention paid to LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal. And the cost was low.

Los Angeles Clippers »  After their moves, they’ll be approximately $15 million under the salary cap this summer and have some intriguing talent — not to mention Blake Griffin will return from his injury. They can sign a top-level free agent this summer.

Losers

New York »  This comes with an asterisk because if the Knicks do get a certain someone, and pair him with another All-Star, then losing rookie Jordan Hill as well as possible lottery picks in 2011 and ’12 won’t matter. But that is a major, major gamble. If the Knicks fail to land the ultimate free agent prize, their franchise could be set back another five or 10 years by this trade. They have no supporting cast to offer. Oh, and they have no first-round pick this year.

Miami »  The Heat tried to trade for Stoudemire and failed. They tried to trade for Carlos Boozer and failed. Now the Heat might miss the postseason. What will this mean for Dwyane Wade’s future?

Incomplete

Washington »  The Wizards took the necessary first step by shedding salaries and getting under the luxury tax (while getting a player in Al Thornton whom they liked coming out of college). But what happens in the draft and free agency will determine if they won or lost. At least they have their first-round picks. Chicago also falls into this category; the Bulls freed up cap space. But unlike Washington, the Bulls can offer free agents money and a good supporting cast.

– John Keim