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Going for it
From best to worst, in terms of moves made in an effort to win now

1. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS

Positive spin: I think the Cavs are now the odds-on favorite to win the NBA title this year. Antawn Jamison is a perfect acquisition for Cleveland -- an experienced veteran who fits a huge need for the Cavs as a stretch 4 and is a great guy in the locker room.

Even better, the Cavs got him basically for free. Yes, they had to give up Zydrunas Ilgauskas and their first-round pick. But the Wizards will likely waive Big Z in time for him to rejoin the Cavs' roster. As for that pick, it's probably going to be No. 30 in the draft. For a chance to win a title, I'd say it's worth it.

Negative spin: While the Cavs did a lot to convince LeBron that his present looks very promising in Cleveland, they did less to convince LeBron that his future in Cleveland will be bright. Jamison has two years and a whopping $28 million due to him after this season.

And Jamison is no youngster: He turns 34 in June and is expected to start alongside an aging Shaquille O'Neal (who turns 38 in March), meaning the Cavs have done little to assure LeBron this team will stay at an elite level in future seasons.

The Cavs believe that if they win a title this season, LeBron will be compelled to stay. Given all the suitors lining up to get their shot at him this summer, I'm not so sure. Unless he's in love with the potential of a supporting cast of J.J. Hickson, Mo Williams and Anderson Varejao, Cleveland could be trumped by teams offering younger, more talented teammates and a brighter future.


2. DALLAS MAVERICKS

Positive spin: Thanks to his wallet, Mark Cuban continues to milk more life out of the Mavericks. Getting Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood for Josh Howard and some expiring contracts was a steal for Dallas.

While Butler and Howard are similar players offensively, Howard's game had grown stale in Dallas and he was having problems with coach Rick Carlisle. And Haywood may be the key to the trade. With Erick Dampier ailing, the Mavs needed another shot-blocker and rebounder, and when he's healthy, Haywood can be very effective.

While I'm not sure the trade puts the Mavericks on par with the Lakers or Nuggets, it got them a lot closer and made them contenders in the West.

The Mavericks also acquired assets that could be used in a LeBron James trade this summer. Cuban has been angling for James for years and could offer Butler's expiring contract plus Dampier's non-guaranteed contract to Cleveland if Bron just flat out tells the Cavs he isn't going to sign with them and only wants play in Dallas. It's a pipe dream, but one Cuban is still thinking about.

Negative spin: Is it enough? Dallas is spending a ton of money, but I'm not sure Butler and Haywood put them over the top. While Butler is probably a better offensive player than Howard, he's not nearly the defender Howard is. Meanwhile, the Mavericks have just one young prospect, Rodrigue Beaubois, on their roster. If David Stern and the owners get a hard salary cap in 2011 and the Mavs can no longer turn expiring contracts into veterans, the team could be in for a very long rebuilding process.


3. HOUSTON ROCKETS

Positive spin: The Rockets fleeced the Knicks. GM Daryl Morey got a premium for taking on the last year of Jared Jeffries' deal. Jordan Hill, a swap of 2011 picks and a top-5 protected pick in 2012 was a lot of bounty just to take on Jeffries for the year.

The team also replaced Tracy McGrady with one of the most efficient scoring 2-guards in the league, Kevin Martin. The 2-guard position just moved from a big weakness to a strength for Houston.

Negative spin: I was shocked that the Rockets gave up Carl Landry. Not only is Landry having a fantastic year, but he's also one of the most reasonably paid big men in the league. I felt that he was part of the heart of the Rockets.

And while Martin is clearly a talented offensive player, he's terrible on defense. The Rockets have been a gritty, hustle-oriented team this season. Martin isn't really going to fit that mold.

As a side note, the Rockets were in serious talks late with the Suns about an Amare Stoudemire deal. Had they landed STAT (for Shane Battier, Luis Scola and picks), they would've topped the list.


4. PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS

Positive spin: The team was desperate for help up front, given the season-ending injuries to Greg Oden and Joel Przybilla. Marcus Camby is a great fit as a veteran shot-blocking, rebounding presence, and he has an expiring contract. Assuming Oden and Przybilla are healthy next fall, the Trail Blazers can walk away without having to continue to pay Camby, who meanwhile should secure the Blazers' position in the playoffs as a fourth or fifth seed.

Negative spin: The Blazers had to give up two key assets. Blake was the team's backup point guard, and it remains to be seen whether Jerryd Bayless can pick up the slack. Travis Outlaw has been injured this season, but he has a lot of upside and was a tough asset to lose.


5. CHARLOTTE BOBCATS

Positive spin: Charlotte coach Larry Brown wanted another frontcourt player, and the Bobcats got Tyrus Thomas cheaply. Thomas has All-Star potential but has struggled to put it all together. If Brown can get through to him (he's had luck with Allen Iverson and Rasheed Wallace in the past), this could be a monster pickup for the Bobcats.

Negative spin: The Bobcats had to give up a protected first-round pick for Thomas. If he's a dud, or if they can't re-sign him this summer, they blew a pick for a 30-game rental. Also, the team stumbled at the finish line on a deal that would've landed them T.J. Ford. It would have been a good deal for the Bobcats, but they couldn't make it happen.


6. MILWAUKEE BUCKS

Positive spin: The Bucks are trying to be a playoff team and needed lots of help at the 2. While John Salmons isn't a franchise savior, he's a big upgrade over Charlie Bell. The team also picked up the right to swap picks with the Bulls, should Chicago fall into the lottery from losing Salmons and Thomas.

Negative spin: Salmons might push the Bucks into the playoffs. I stress "might." He makes $5.8 million in salary next season, and if he doesn't get them to the playoffs, the Bucks wasted the cash. Other GMs around the league aren't happy that the Bucks gave the Bulls more wiggle room to sign a big free agent this summer. If the Bulls use it to land Dwyane Wade, the Bucks may have really hurt their chances of winning their own division in the near future.


7. BOSTON CELTICS

Positive spin: Nate Robinson is full of energy. He can be a dynamic scorer off the bench and should punch a little life into what's been a pretty lifeless Celtics team this year.

Negative spin: I'm not sure Nate's going to be enough. The Cavs got significantly better. The Magic and Hawks also appear to be better positioned. Not moving Ray Allen (the Celtics did try) could haunt them. They may not be able to make another significant trade to start rebuilding until 2012.

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There are two more sections, one for teams "Going for LeBron" and another for "Minor players". Those aren't interesting (and would make this post unnecessarily long).