Power Rankings: Categorizing the trade parade

Updated Feb. 16

The NBA trade deadline is nothing if not predictable.

Every year, NBA columnists and analysts grow increasingly bored of the middle third of the marathon season and begin daydreaming publicly about trades.

Many seem to make sense, but few come to fruition as most of the league's general managers either chicken out or want to believe the rosters they've molded are good enough to get the franchise through the season.

It appears the Mavericks are interested in Brendan Haywood for added grit and muscle on the roster. (Getty Images)

In the end, only two types of teams usually agree to moves -- desperate clubs chasing far-fetched championship hopes and lottery-bound squads who convince themselves salary-cap space is more important than talent, only to find out the former can't attract the latter to their towns in the offseason.

Already we've seen one of these transactions, with the money-is-no-object Mavericks exchanging two expiring contracts for a couple of players they hope will elevate them closer to the Lakers, and the Wizards cashing in their most marketable asset for the dream of getting someone even better for a lower price this summer.

A week ago, you would have rated the Mavericks and Wizards as two of the surest things to make a trade before Thursday's deadline. Now that leaves six in the "I'll Be Shocked If They Don't Do Anything" category.

Tossing out those who already have done their business, I've placed the other 28 NBA teams in one of four categories with the clock ticking down, ranging from the most likely newsmakers to the most likely rumor-busters.

Should Fire Their G.M. If They Stand Pat

Heat, 76ers, Pistons, Suns, Rockets, Warriors.

These teams fit into two groups: Those that need to make something happen before losing a big-time player this offseason (Heat, Suns, Rockets) and those that have potential difference-makers whose return package could jump-start them in a rebuilding direction (76ers, Pistons, Warriors). Any big deal within the final 48 hours of the deadline almost assuredly will involve at least one of these teams.

Really Ought To Consider Doing Something

Bulls, Knicks, Pacers, Clippers, Kings.

These win-challenged clubs would like to believe the 2010-11 season will be a whole lot better than what they're experiencing now. The problem is, each is currently straddling a fence, unable -- for one reason or another -- to totally commit to a brighter future. All would be better off dealing one of their top three players for a younger guy, draft choice and/or expiring contract.

Tempted, But Risk Might Outweigh Reward

Cavaliers, Celtics, Bobcats, Bucks, Nuggets, Hornets, Grizzlies.

No team has been mentioned in more trade rumors than the Cavaliers. Don't for a second think it's coincidental. Every year we see the same thing: One frontrunner making noise about possibly upgrading, which forces its chief rivals to consider shaking things up. But in the end, one billionaire owner cannot be bluffed by another billionaire owner, and little gets done.

Trade Deadline: Just Another Day

Magic, Hawks, Raptors, Nets, Lakers, Jazz, Spurs, Thunder, Trail Blazers, Timberwolves.

Here you find the two extremes of the league -- content clubs looking forward to seeing how the season plays out, and bottom-feeders who can't wait for it to be over. And in between you have someone like Portland. Even after the Blazers acquired Marcus Camby from the Clippers, they should chalk up their inevitable first-round playoff exit to injuries and limp into the offseason believing no body shuffling is necessary in order for next year to be different.

The big question this week is: Can anyone make a move so bold it would seriously shrink the gap between itself and the far-and-away top two teams in my weekly CBSSports.com NBA Power Rankings, the Cavaliers and Lakers? That's unlikely.