Trade deadline tidbits

The NBA trading deadline is/was 3 PM today, but big moves have already been made. Shaq went to Phoenix in return for Shawn Marion. Pau Gasol went to LA in exchange for 270 pounds of useless blubber. Jason Kidd went back to Dallas [several times] in exchange for an injured Devin Harris and Keith Van Horn, who pried himself out of his rocking chair at the Shady Acres Retirement Home. According to some reports, the Cavaliers are on the verge of a blockbuster trade for…well, somebody. Actually, the deal reportedly includes Larry Hughes and Drew Gooden going to Chicago in exchange for Ben Wallace, Chris Duhon and Joe Smith. If that’s an accurate description of the trade discussions, it tells you something about what a mistake the Bulls made by signing Ben Wallace. Any team that will take Larry Hughes and his morbidly obese contract is obviously desperate to move somebody. In this case, that would be Ben Wallace. Ouch. How the mighty have fallen.
The Cavs are reportedly also in talks about trading for Wally Szczerbiak, which makes a bit more sense because of his outside shooting ability — a nice complement to Lebron James. Wally makes about $13 million next year so I presume that deal would also include Larry Hughes. Of course, getting Wally to actually pass the ball would be necessary. Asking him to play defense is, of course, quite out of the question.
I think trading for Mike Miller, if he’s still on the market, would make a lot more sense for Cleveland. He’s a nice outside shooter and more willing to pass and make a passable effort on defense than Wally Whatshisname. Problem: I don’t see how the Cavs have anything to offer Memphis for Miller. The last thing the Grizz want is a big contract like the one Larry Hughes carries around with him.
Can the Kings get rid of Ron Artest? Can the Knicks unload Zach Randolph on some poor, optimistic sucker? One thing seems reasonably certain: The Bullets will not be making any deals.