NBA Trade Deadline: Deadline Has Little Impact on League's Top Teams

The Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, and Cleveland Cavaliers have all been the subjects of recent trade speculation, and as the trade deadline nears its final stretch none of the rumors have been substantiated.

To date, the only deal that has been made involving a team with an outside chance of winning a championship is the one which sent Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood of the Washington Wizards to the Dallas Mavericks.

As far as impact goes that registered much more as a whimper than a bang, and the reality is, this deadline will more than likely pass with no major moves involving teams considered as favorites to hoist the Larry O'Brien Trophy in June.

It should come as no surprise, because while names like Amar'e Stoudemire, Antawn Jamison, and Kirk Hinrich are intriguing, why chance ruining the chemistry which took half of the season to build up?

Stoudemire especially has been the target of rampant speculation, with Cleveland being the most talked about destination, but he would fail to serve the Cavaliers in their most pressing areas of need.

Stoudemire is an athletic power forward, but he also lacks the range to defend the types of versatile players which have hurt the Cavaliers previously at that position.

While he may provide extra girth on the inside, Cleveland will still remain vunerable to teams who have power forwards who are just as comfortable on the perimeter as they are in the paint.

Furthermore, J.J. Hickson is a younger player with similar talent and none of the injury issues which have plagued Stoudemire. Hickson has performed admirably since his playing time was increased, so why not take your chances there?

The Boston Celtics face a different dilemma, as they have fallen victim to the sands of time during the course of half a season, and their situation seems dire without the help of a strategic move.

Or does it? The Celtics have shown they are resilient in the past, and there is likely one more title run in them as a group before the window completely closes on their championship aspirations.

Ray Allen has been the most discussed player most likely to leave, but it's Allen's shooting ability and tendency to knock down big shots in desperate situations which may serve Boston best when it's time for the postseason.

Providing the Celtics can stay healthy, they could be entering a period where their pride and experience will be the most pivotal traits they have, and they too would run the risk of endangering chemistry with a move.

For me, the trade talks centered on the Lakers were the most puzzling, because of all the teams previously mentioned, the Lakers have less motivation to make a move considering their past performances and their current status.

The Lakers currently own the second-best record in the NBA and won the title in 2009 with virtually the same roster, plus they are showing an ability to win games without their most decorated player.

In the four games Kobe Bryant has been sidelined by injury, the Lakers have gone unbeaten and have won in impressive fashion, with different members of the team taking charge on different nights.

Along with Orlando, the Lakers have the most depth in the league, and the speculation concerning them is likely just that, as they remain in the category of a team who has no business considering a deal.

It's likely that once the glamour charm of the deadline wears off, various journalists and pundits fill the time by proposing deals which have no way in hell of getting done, but are attractive to ponder anyway.

Though there may be some movement among the cellar-dwellers of the league, the contenders will likely survey their troops and continue on their present course with their rosters unchanged.