"Desperate General Managers": Trades, Free Agent Pick-Ups Run Rampant In NBA

The NBA has gone wild with player swapping. It has become the equivalent to that of a Pokémon card trading convention. There are deals that are made between GMs who are old buddies, and deals made to snuff old enemies.

Players also jump ship left and right, for the arms of a contending franchise, or for those of a "sugar momma" franchise. Franchises are waiving players like 1-2-3. It’s hard to keep up, but exciting nevertheless.

In fact, maybe they should start a new TV sitcom. Call it “Desperate General Managers.”

Blockbusters are summer and trade deadline musts. GMs are constantly in the kitchen, cooking up combinations of players for coaches to work with. They are trying to find the right flavor that pleases the owner and fans, whose taste buds only pucker up for the Larry O’Brien trophy.

Teams try to appease a superstar (LeBron, D-Wade) with the addition of talent. Also, teams (Orlando, Boston, Lakers) try to re-up for the playoffs through trades and free agency. Teams even try to add youth to their core (Detroit). The goal is to put a winning product on the court that fans will be willing to pay to see, as well as concocting a championship contender.

Because let’s face it, winning is all well and good, but if a team could lose and make a killing moneywise, most GMs wouldn’t mind. This is a business first and foremost. No one knows that better than Hakim Warrick (recently waived by the Grizzles after they pulled their qualifying offer).

But there are exceptions from the players perspective. They often want nothing more than to win. Ron Artest is this upcoming seasons poster child for just that. He is a member of the LA Lakers who recently resigned Lamar Odom. With the addition of Artest, the Finals seem like the only destination (if there isn’t any major injury to a key player).

Cleveland, trying to do whatever they can to keep King James, frantically gave the roster some much-needed plastic surgery. They started with a face lift with the addition of Shaq. Then they got a Botox injection to boost the three-pt. arsenal with the acquisition of Anthony Parker. Finally, a tummy tuck added athleticism and defense with the addition Jamario Moon.

Teams like Boston and Orlando are just trying to restock for the long season ahead. Boston, with the addition of Rasheed Wallace, will be formidable with a deep front court. Orlando, with the addition of Vince Carter, has gotten a better player, but has lost the match up advantage they possessed with Turkoglu in the lineup.

Detroit, with the addition of Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva, are looking to become young again. Most, likely Richard Hamilton will be the next to go. Youth seems to be the word around the motor city.

The wheeling and dealing will continue, and here are some that have happened already:

Shaq to Cleveland

Hedo Turkoglu to Toronto

Shawn Marion to Dallas

Ron Artest to L.A.

Trevor Ariza to Houston

Ben Gordan & Charlie Villanueva to Detroit

Richard Jefferson to San Antonio

Rasheed Wallace to Boston

Vince Carter to Orlando

This list can go on and on. These are just the biggest names to move this summer. These deals bring excitement and rejuvenation to their respective franchises, as well as the fans of the city.

What's next? Who knows?

Guess we should just stay tuned to “Desperate General Managers.”

What do you think is next?

What do you think about the constant wheeling and dealing?