Who's Next In The NBA Swap Meet

It all started with Mitch Kupchak's grand theft of Pau Gasol ( and from what I hear Mitch isn't done yet but ill get back to that), and it sure has snowballed since. Once the Lakers acquired Gasol, you could hear all of the Western Conference GMs take a collective gasp. Since then each contender has feverishly tried to get that "next piece to the puzzle". Next in line to booster their roster was the Phoenix Suns, they put a deal together which sent Shawn Marion in return for Shaq. Then in a lesser known deal the Spurs picked up Damon Stoudamire to give some depth to their backcourt. Now its Jason Kidd back to Dallas where it all began for him. The question is who's next? The Nuggets have said to be in talks with the Kings, trying to acquire Ron Artest. There are grumblings from Laker Land that Mitch is back on the phone lines trying to put together a deal that would send Laker Lamar Odom to the Wizards for All- Star guard Caron Butler. This would be Caron's second stint in LA, hopefully an improvement from his first run. A little over a day until the deadline, so there will be plenty of possible scenarios hinting the espn airwaves in the next 30 some hours, so stay tuned.

RA

Van Horn The Real Winner In Kidd Deal

Finally the deal to send Jason Kidd back to the Mavs is official. Kidd along with Malik Allen and Antoine Wright will be Mavs, while Dallas sends 24-year-old point guard Devin Harris, center DeSagana Diop, swingman Trenton Hassell, guard Maurice Ager, Van Horn via sign-and-trade, first-round draft picks this June and in 2010 and $3 million in cash. Most will argue about who got the better deal Dallas or New Jersey but I'm saying the best deal went to Keith Van Horn. Van Horn who now lives in Colorado, has been out of basketball for almost two years now, seems like 10 but thats probably because he never lived up to the hype coming out of Utah. But I have to say Keith you certainly know how to get paid. Whether you are deserving or not, you still have always found a way to get way more cash for the least bit of talent. This deal is no exception, Van Horn looks to receive about 4 million for merely signing some paper work, no training camps, no practice, hell not even games, all he had to do was sign a contract. Kudos to you Keith. As for the rest of the deal I give the Nets an A-, landing Devin Harris and clearing cap space, along with two first round picks and 3 million cash is a pretty good loot for a 35 year old. As for the Mavs, its too early to judge, this could end up being a great deal for them or it could end up being horrible. Getting Jason Kidd is never a negative, but he is 35 and on the decline, so if the Mavs don't win it this year or next this deal will be very bad for them. In my opinion Dallas gave up way too much to get a 35 year old Jason Kidd(5players, 2 picks, and 3 mil) but if they win the title I might change my opinion. In my eyes it is still LA, San Antonio, and Phoenix at the top of the west but thats why they play the games.

RA