NBA Blockbusters: Who Got the Best Deal?

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There is no doubt that the recent blockbusters involving Pau Gasol, Shaquille O'Neal, and Jason Kidd will create parity in the Western Conference during the second half of this season.

And although it's not as exciting as the deals out west, the Atlanta Hawks recent acquisition of Mike Bibby will also give the Eastern Conference something new to talk about. 

With Gasol now a Laker, Shaq now a Sun, Kidd now a Maverick once more, and Bibby now a Hawk, which teams will be legitimate contenders come spring?

Los Angeles Lakers

NBA Finals Potential: Excellent

Trade Grade: A+

L.A. pulled off the first blockbuster trade this season when they acquired Pau Gasol from Memphis, and immediately sent other Western Conference foes into panic mode.

This trade is exactly what the Lakers needed to get to the next level and put them over the hump.

Los Angeles has failed to make it past the first round of the playoffs the last two seasons, and one of their main problems was lack of production from their frontcourt.

With the offseason pick-up of Derek Fisher and the emergence of Andrew Bymun, the Lakers were one piece away from becoming legit contenders.

The Lakers window of opportunity won't be closing any time soon.  With Derek Fisher being the oldest player on the team (33), this team has the chance to become scary good within the next few years with more experience playing together.

Of course when you have Kobe Bryant on your team, who is only 29, the future always looks bright.

But their success this spring all comes down to health, which has taken a blow the last few weeks.

Andrew Bymun has been sidelined with a kneecap injury the last few weeks, and reports are out that his progress is going slower than projected.

Adding insult to that injury, Bryant recently tore a ligament in the pinkie finger of his shooting hand. Kobe has the option of resting his finger and avoiding surgery, or sit out six to eight weeks after a surgical procedure.

If the Lakers want to pose legitimate threat come June, it is imperative that Bryant gets surgery on his pinky immediately and sit out those six to eight weeks.

The problem is if he does decide to get surgery, there is no telling where the Lakers would be standing once Bryant returns.

If the Lakers go on some sort of losing streak, the Lakers could fall out the Western Conference playoff picture.

Phoenix Suns

NBA Finals Potential: Strong

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