Three Teams, Eleven Players, and the Cleveland Cavaliers Walk Away With Best Deal

Prior to today's 3pm EST trade deadline, the Cavs, the Sonics, and the Bulls worked out an eleven player deal.

The Cavaliers added Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West from Seattle, and Chicago's Joe Smith and Ben Wallace. Cleveland also took Chicago's second round pick for 2009.

The Bulls received Drew Gooden, Larry Hughes, Shannon Brown, and Cedric Simmons from the Cavaliers.

The Sonics were not as fortunate. Seattle received only Ira Newble and Donyell Marshall from the Cavs, and Adrian Griffin from the Bulls.

We all know that Seattle is not going anywhere this year, but this trade did not even benefit the Sonics for the future. All three of the players that they received are washed up veterans.

By adding Larry Hughes, the Bulls brought another guard onto their team. They now have Ben Gordon, Kirk Hinrich, Chris Duhon, and Hughes. How will they manage to use all four?

Shannon Brown has not developed yet, but has shown some talent in the time he has been given. Drew Gooden is solid, but he does not do more than Joe Smith and Ben Wallace did, and I don't even know who Cedric Simmons is. The Bulls did not get ripped off in this deal, but they certainly did not get the better end.

Upon the completion of this three team trade, the Cavaliers increased their chances of being able to beat the Celtics or Pistons for the Eastern Conference Championship.

Their starting lineup will now consist of Daniel Gibson at point guard (assuming he is not out for too long after the injury he suffered last night), LeBron and Szczerbiak at either shooting guard or small forward. Ben Wallace, Joe Smith or Anderson Varajeo will start at power forward, and Zydrunas Ilgauskas at center.

That looks like a threatening starting lineup to me. Any lineup with LeBron James looks dangerous, but now the Cavs have depth in shooting and in size.

Oh, and don't forget they also get a third draft pick for next year.