The NBA Trade Deadline Extravaganza

So we’re just hours away from the 2009-10 NBA Trade Deadline, the time of year where potential contenders can beef up for a title shot, and terrible teams can unload awful contracts in return for a second-round pick.

There’s already been a flurry of activity recently as several teams decided to re-tool in advance of the deadline. Let’s do a quick rundown of the biggest deals this far:

Washington-Dallas

To Dallas: Caron Butler, DeShawn Stevenson, Brendan Haywood
To Washington: Josh Howard, Drew Gooden, James Singleton, Quinton Ross

The reason for this one is pretty simple. Following the Gilbert Arenas disaster and an overall record of 18-33, Washington needed to blow the team up, big time. Howard gives them a former All Star-type talent while Singleton and Ross are decent role players. We’d give a better analysis of Gooden, but apparently he wasn’t in Washington’s long-term plans (stay tuned for more).

Los Angeles Clippers-Portland

To Los Angeles: Steve Blake, Travis Outlaw, cash considerations
To Portland: Marcus Camby

After losing centers Joel Pryzbilla and Greg Oden, Portland needed some beef in the middle and gets it with Camby, the NBA’s second-leading rebounder (12.1 per game). Camby is a former Defensive Player of the Year winner and a savvy veteran leader for a young Blazers squad.

The Clippers get two guys who don’t help them long-term and are bench players at best. Another winning deal for Los Angeles!

Cleveland-Los Angeles Clippers-Washington

To Cleveland: Antawn Jamison, Sebastian Telfair
To Los Angeles: Drew Gooden
To Washington: Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Emir Preldzic, Al Thornton

Cleveland gets another talented frontcourt scorer and frees up more minutes for Shaquille O’Neal and Anderson Varajeao, who will play almost all the centre minutes with Ilgauskas gone.  Cleveland’s new potential starting five of Mo Williams, Delonte West, LeBron James, Antawn Jamison and Shaq is pretty scary, when you think about it.

Now, for the deals that are close-but-still-need-confirmation:

— Apparently the Houston Rockets have found a suitor for disgruntled SF Tracy McGrady. According to Yahoo! Sports, the Rockets are sending McGrady, Carl Landry and Joey Dorsey to Sacramento for the Kings’ leading scorer Kevin Martin, along with Sergio Rodriguez, Hilton Armstrong and Kenny Thomas.

— The Charlotte Bobcats are on the verge of aquiring Chicago Bulls PF Tyrus Thomas. The deal is believed to be Thomas for Acie Law, Flip Murray and a future first-round pick.

So, how will these deals (and the ones to come) affect NBA betting lines? If you’re curious to find out, visit Sports Interaction’s online sportsbook today for all the latest in NBA basketball betting!