(Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images)

The NBA draft is finally here. Note the lack of an exclamation mark here; certainly the level of enthusiasm is considerably muted.

However, the trades transpired in the past two days are quickly altering the landscape of the NBA and creating quite a buzz prior to the draft.

1.) R.J. to the Spurs

It's official. The Spurs have cancelled their reservation in the retirement home.

By trading three players who will combine to start zero games in the 2009-10 season, the San Antonio Spurs get Richard Jefferson, a much-needed fourth scorer to complement the Big Three and an infusion of youth.

Well, at 29, youth is relative. Guess "Pops" won't be asking the league to review lopsided trades any more.

On a side note, I am just dying to see how Mark Cuban and Donnie Nelson respond to to the Spurs move. Trading draft picks doesn't count.

2.) Shaq to Cleveland

The worst kept secret finally elevated from "rumor" to "breaking news". The former "Big Cactus" has been traded for the corpse of Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic.

Three things:

a) Will Shaq stop pretending that he is pally with Kobe and Phil now?

b) Please tell me Pavlovic will not be the only Sasha to be traded this season.

c) The center tandem in Cleveland is 70 years old and makes more than $30 million a season. Let me chew on this.

At least we will see more hilarious Dwight and SVG tweets next season.

3.) What on Earth are Minnesota going to do with all those draft picks?

As per subject heading.

4.) Blake Griffin to the Clippers is a given

When I watched "Drag Me to Hell", I couldn't help but see Christine Brown as Blake Griffin and Mike Dunleavy as the Lamia. The clock ticks. Blake has to give his button away.

5.) Everyone else is a crap shoot

Hasheem Thabeet, Ricky Rubio, James Harden and Tyreke Evans have great potential, but there aren't top-five locks.

Thabeet has size and upside. So did Kwame, at least Thabeet guaranteed nothing.

Rubio can either be a franchise-changing point guard or the biggest Euro-bust since Darko.

As a side note, Darko is actually a trade asset now—he and his $7.5 million expiring contract. The NBA; where amazing happens.

I gave up reading mock drafts, everyone is just shooting in the dark now.

6.) Who do the Grizzlies draft?

More importantly, do they get snubbed? Everyone is refusing to play there. Will we see another Danny Ferry? Man, it sucks to be the Grizzlies.

7.) Is Danny Ainge really trading Rajon Rondo?

I can see why he would want to trade Ray Allen but Rondo? The new "Triple Double Machine"? Boston's only young two-way player?

If it's true, it means he must really be a jerk to play for. Or Ainge is the new Elgin Baylor.

8.) What is going through Steve Kerr's mind now?

"I know I am going to be sacked. Everyone thinks I am a moron. Might as well ruin this franchise so no one can replace me and show instant results. Ten cents on a dollar for Shaq. Now it's time to donate Amar'e for scrap. That way, Nash will leave by himself and no one can blame me. Muahahahaha."

9.) Who will make the biggest draft day gaffe this year?

Baylor is not here. Kevin McHale is gone. Paxson actually drafted the best player last year. Jordan will probably let Larry Brown decide. Dunleavy is definitely picking Griffin, how can he screw that up? Okay, this is the Clippers we are talking about, let's not imagine the possibilities.

The quick pick would be Kerr. But at No. 14, he probably won't be the biggest.

10.) Who will resurrect the career of Allen Iverson?

Okay, this is not really related to the draft but my heart goes out to AI. Say what you will about AI, but the man is a fighter all the way and deserving of legendary status. It's a real shame for his career to end this way. I would hate for our last memories of the best pound-for-pound player ever to be that of a petulant, chemistry killer who plays with as much heart as Tracy McGrady.

Let's welcome the draft!

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