Power Rankings: Quiet deadline produces winners, losers

Updated Feb. 27

Understand why so many teams didn't make drastic changes at the trade deadline. The upcoming draft is strong, luxury tax concerns are prevalent, and it seems to be more of a hassle to make a fair trade than ever before. Deals are often swaps of bad contracts, and no one wants to be the next sucker to give up young talent for Steve Francis.

Erring on the safe side was the right move for most. But a few teams should have thrown caution to the wind in order to take advantage of current opportunities.

Just because there wasn't much action around the deadline doesn't mean we can't have a few trade deadline losers and winners.

Bulls leading scorer Ben Gordon stays put, and that's good for the team. (AP)

Chicago made the right move keeping future All-Stars Luol Deng and Ben Gordon, the reported asking price for Pau Gasol, but still should have filled its need for low-post offense. Shareef Abdur-Rahim was a strong candidate, but John Paxson decided that having his contract for the next couple of seasons was not something he wanted. That might have been the right move for the long-term. Short-term, the veteran forward would have been a great asset, supplying an offensive option off the bench they don't have with P.J. Brown and Tyrus Thomas.

Cleveland was another loser, but not for lack of trying. Danny Ferry had the right idea, willing to gamble for the chance to win now. In making a play for Mike Bibby, the Cavaliers were attempting to grab the wide open East by the throat. Instead, they'll have to go with rookie Daniel Gibson and veteran Eric Snow. That combination doesn't exactly strike fear in opponents' hearts.

Phoenix and Dallas also missed the boat on spending to add a key piece or two for the stretch run. The Suns could have used another athletic big body and a steady backup guard, but opted to stick with their current group. The Mavericks were in the market for another post defender/rebounder, but wound up staying put as well, even ridding themselves of a veteran, third-string point guard Anthony Johnson.

Detroit was a team many thought would move a veteran like Nazr Mohammed, Dale Davis or Flip Murray, but ended up keeping them all. Good move. Considering Joe Dumars didn't get an offer he deemed worthy, he might as well stockpile quality bodies that could come in handy.

Denver really wanted to trade a big body like Eduardo Najera or Reggie Evans for a shooter, but never got a deal it liked. This works in the Nuggets' favor. Although Marcus Camby and Nene are healthy and productive now, both are injury prone. At least now there's insurance behind them. Besides, isn't it time they trot out Voshon Lenard for the 17th time?

Philadelphia holding on to Andre Miller was also the correct call. It's hard to find a point guard of his caliber, and although he might help Sixers win a couple more games than they would like to, putting a dent into their lottery chances, he'll pay dividends down the road. Philadelphia has done enough housecleaning, ridding itself of Allen Iverson and Chris Webber.

Finally, the biggest winners are the New Jersey Nets, who made the biggest statement by standing still. If Rod Thorn couldn't pluck a piece like Andrew Bynum, he was right to keep his aces for use down the line. Now was not the time to pull the plug, even if Vince Carter walks at season's end. Rather than give him away, the Nets might as well do some hard selling in hopes he'll return.

If nothing else, it does keep hope alive.

The week's Power Rankings:

Power Rankings
Current		Team	Previous
	1	Celtics · Trends	1
	The Celtics completed the best turnaround in the history of the NBA by winning 42 more games than last year. Now we'll find out if they can bring home the title as well.
	2	Lakers · Trends	5
	Kobe Bryant deserves the MVP after leading the Lakers to the best record in the Western Conference. The only question remaining for the Lakers is the health of center Andrew Bynum.
	3	Spurs · Trends	4
	Manu Ginobili was able to play in the season finale against Utah, and San Antonio got Brent Barry back. Until the Spurs are eliminated they will be a favorite to win the title.
	4	Pistons · Trends	3
	Detroit is on a crash course with Boston for the Eastern Conference finals. If the Pistons bench is as good as advertised, it could happen.
	5	Hornets · Trends	2
	New Orleans finished as the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, but the Hornets are still the third-best team in the conference behind the Lakers and Spurs. Chris Paul will lose the MVP award to Kobe Bryant.
	6	Jazz · Trends	6
	The Jazz only need to win one game on the road in the first round since they have the best home record in the NBA. Mehmet Okur closed the season with five double-doubles in his final six games.
	7	Suns · Trends	7
	The Suns are 18-11 since trading for Shaquille O'Neal, including 2-0 against San Antonio. The Suns won the season series from the Spurs for the first time since 2002-03.
	8	Rockets · Trends	8
	The Rockets could be without starting point guard Rafer Alston (hamstring) for the first round. That will mean more minutes for Bobby Jackson, but not having a solid point guard rotation is tough against Utah's Deron Williams.
	9	Magic · Trends	9
	Hedo Turkoglu should win the NBA's Most Improved Player award. His play has overshadowed Rashard Lewis, and the Magic have a great trio along with Dwight Howard.
	10	Mavericks · Trends	10
	The Mavericks are 16-13 since trading for Jason Kidd, including 1-1 against the Hornets. Kidd has a size advantage against Chris Paul, but Paul is much quicker. That matchup will be fun to watch.
	11	Cavaliers · Trends	15
	LeBron James put the Cavs on his back last year, and they reached the finals. Now James has a bad back, so can he do it again? He will need help from his supporting cast, which has been brutal down the stretch.
	12	Nuggets · Trends	12
	Carmelo Anthony's arrest could be a distraction, but the Nuggets might have to average 130 points to beat the Lakers in the first round. The Nuggets have no one to defend Kobe Bryant.
	13	Wizards · Trends	13
	Since Gilbert Arenas returned from his knee injury April 2, the trio of Arenas, Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison has only played three games together. Is that enough to build chemistry for the playoffs?
	14	Warriors · Trends	11
	So you're in a close game which could determine your playoff fate and you bench your best player in Baron Davis for the second half? Good move Don Nelson. Enjoy your offseason.
	15	Raptors · Trends	17
	The Raptors haven't found a way to use the league's best three-point shooter in Jason Kapono. But Rasho Nesterovic -- yes, that Rasho Nesterovic -- closed the season by scoring in double figures in 17 of his final 18 games.
	16	76ers · Trends	14
	The Sixers ended the season on a four-game losing streak, but they are 22-14 since February 1, including two wins against Detroit. The Sixers tied the season series with the Pistons at two.
	17	Hawks · Trends	16
	The Hawks are 0-3 against the Celtics this season with the average margin of victory at 14.1 points. In 33 games with Atlanta, Mike Bibby is averaging 14.1 points.
	18	Trail Blazers · Trends	18
	Portland can start counting down the days until Greg Oden takes the court. He will form a nice tandem with Brandon Roy, who improved his points, rebounds and assists this year.
	19	Nets · Trends	21
	The Nets have to make a decision on coach Lawrence Frank, but New Jersey should be able to make a run in the playoffs next year with Devin Harris at point guard and swingmen Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson.
	20	Kings · Trends	19
	Kevin Martin (knee), Ron Artest (thumb) and Brad Miller (elbow) were unable to finish the season, but the Kings found out they have a strong bench with Francisco Garcia and John Salmons.
	21	Pacers · Trends	20
	The Pacers missed the playoffs and now must decide what to do with Jermaine O'Neal, who averaged 7.0 points and 4.9 rebounds in eight games in April. He's a shell of his former self, and the future is Danny Granger, who needs to be the star.
	22	Clippers · Trends	26
	The Clippers found this season they have a budding star in rookie forward Al Thornton and a solid post presence in Chris Kaman. If Elton Brand and Corey Maggette return next season, a trip to the playoffs is a possibility.
	23	Bulls · Trends	22
	The Bulls have to decide on a coach and the future of Luol Deng and Ben Gordon. The only good thing for Chicago this year was the extra playing time for Joakim Noah and Tyrus Thomas, which should help in their development.
	24	Bobcats · Trends	23
	The Jason Richardson deal was one of the few things that went right for Michael Jordan this year. He finished the year with 21.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists and proved not to be a headache.
	25	Bucks · Trends	24
	Center Andrew Bogut had a breakout year with 14.4 points and 9.8 rebounds. If he can carry it into next year, the Bucks should make a playoff run with Michael Redd and Mo Williams. Scott Skiles also may take over as coach.
	26	Grizzlies · Trends	25
	The Grizzlies established some good guards in Rudy Gay, Mike Miller and Mike Conley. Now all they need is a post player. And no, Darko Milicic and Kwame Brown don't count.
	27	Timberwolves · Trends	27
	Randy Foye finished the season by averaging 18.4 points and 5.2 assists in 10 April games. He's trying to show management that Derrick Rose isn't needed.
	28	SuperSonics · Trends	29
	If the Sonics leave Seattle as expected, at least the fans got to see the rookie of the year in Kevin Durant. His summer goal is to gain weight and learn how to rebound since the 6-foot-9 forward only averaged 4.3 boards this season.
	29	Knicks · Trends	28
	Isiah Thomas is out as the coach. All Knicks fans can rejoice. Now the question is if new team president Donnie Walsh can turn them into a winner. We'll see.
	30	Heat · Trends	30
	The Heat beat the Hawks 113-99 in the season finale to match the 1988-89 expansion team for the worst record in franchise history. Miami should have a quick turnaround with a lottery pick to go with Dwyane Wade, but Pat Riley's future as coach remains undecided.