An NBA trade deadline with more bark than bite.  

 What a surprise.

 As is the case on almost an annual basis, the February trading deadline produced a whole lot of talk ? in the form of an abundance of far-fetched rumors from various league ?insiders? - but little action.  

 While there was some activity, for sure, with some rather big names (Chris Webber, Baron Davis, Antoine Walker, Gary Payton) changing locations, as expected, many other oft-rumored names stayed put.

 The likes of Seattle?s Ray Allen and Boston?s Paul Pierce (rumored to be swapped for one another), Milwaukee?s Michael Redd, Toronto?s Donyell Marshall and Jalen Rose, Utah?s Carlos Boozer, the Lakers? Lamar Odom and Caron Butler, Minnesota's Latrell Sprewell and Sam Cassell, New Jersey's Jason Kidd and Sacramento?s Peja Stojakovic - you get the picture - will remain with their respective teams for at least the remaining of the season.

 Why fans even get remotely interested this time of year over, for the most part, nonsensical speculation is beyond me.  

 Perhaps the NBA season is just too long and tedious and fans simply need a brief diversion. Who knows?  But every year, the trade deadline is hyped up to no end, and every year fans are left disappointed with the lack of substantial player movement.  

 Let?s use Allen as an example of just how incomprehensible trade talk can get.  

 The silky-smooth shooting guard was arguably the most talked about player leading up to the deadline.  If one player was going to switch uniforms, at least in the eyes of the media, it would be the 29-year-old Connecticut product, who is a free agent at season?s end and may just be too costly for Seattle to retain.

 But with the Sonics playing their best basketball in almost a decade, in large part due to the five-time All-Star, who is averaging 24.0 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game this season, why would they ship Allen when they are a legitimate Western contender?  

 Yes, there is the risk, especially with both parties nowhere near an agreement on a long-term contract extension, the Sonics may lose Allen for nothing at season?s end.  But if you?re Seattle, what do you tell your fans if Allen is shipped ? and considering Allen?s impending status, the Sonics would not get equal value in return - in the midst of a magical season?

 If I?m a Sonics fan, I?d say the organization is not committed to winning.  

 So in the end, the Sonics take their chances with Allen by keeping him around in hopes of a prolonged playoff run this season.  And if they lose him at the end of the year, so be it.  But why rupture team chemistry at this point?

 Seattle, by hanging on to Allen, has to be considered as one of the league?s winners at the trade deadline.  Here are some other teams who helped and hurt their respective causes in some shape or form:

 Winners:

 Philadelphia 76ers:  A no-brainer here.  GM Billy King made a real coup by acquiring perennial All-Star Webber, especially considering he didn?t have to give up any of his young building blocks - namely Andre Iguodala, Samuel Dalembert and Kyle Korver ? to get him.  King also ridded himself of the injured Glenn Robinson, trading him to the New Orleans Hornets for Jamal Mashburn and Rodney Rogers - yet another dependable three-point shooter who can help stretch an opposing defense.

 While Webber may not be the same player he once was, he nevertheless provides Allen Iverson with the star sidekick he so desperately needed.  Philadelphia still doesn?t have enough to be considered a serious contender, but they would appear to be a lock to win the Atlantic Division.

 San Antonio Spurs:  The Spurs, quietly ? the only way they seem to know how to operate ? may have made a deal that eventually puts them over the top by acquiring Knicks center Nazr Mohammed, in exchange for Malik Rose and two first-round draft picks.  

 Mohammed is an athletic big man who?ll provide solid defense and rebounding, and should serve as a solid compliment to Tim Duncan in the frontcourt.  The Spurs also rid themselves of Rose?s gaudy contract, which had four years and over $27 million remaining.  

 Golden State Warriors:  An organization that was seemingly going nowhere may have a made a move that could propel them to respectability.  

 The acquisition of Baron Davis from the Hornets for Speedy Claxton and Dale Davis has some risks, as Davis is injury-prone.  But if Davis, who?s still only 25 years of age, can return to the form he displayed last season, when he played at a near-MVP level, Golden State could have one of the league?s most dynamic backcourts, with Davis and high-flyer Jason Richardson.  

 Milwaukee Bucks:  Free agent-to-be Michael Redd says he wants to be a Buck for life?  Well, we shall soon find out, as Milwaukee, with the departures of Keith Van Horn and Mike James Thursday, cleared nearly $13 million in cap room in hopes of signing the sharp-shooter to a long-term deal in the summer.  

 Losers:

 Sacramento Kings:  Clearly, the Kings are looking to build the team with Stojakovic and not Webber as the centerpiece, after the two stars clearly endured a rather strenuous relationship.  And that, my friends, is a bad thing.

 Stojakovic may be younger and have a less burdensome contract, but he?s also been a huge disappointment the last two post-seasons.  Sacramento may have had great team chemistry while Webber was out of the lineup for much of last season, but if they expect to make a Finals run with the additions of Kenny Thomas, Brian Skinner and Corliss Williamson, they are sadly mistaken.

 New York Knicks:  Isiah, Isiah, Isiah.  If I?ve told you once, I?ve told you a hundred times; stop taking on those over-inflated contracts.  

 By acquiring Malik Rose and Maurice Taylor - two additional undersized power forwards the Knicks don't need; New York already has Kurt Thomas (6?8?), Jerome Williams (6? 9?) and Michael Sweetney (6?8?) on the roster - Thomas added an additional $32 million to the payroll.  And what does he have to show for it?   If you ask Thomas, two low-end, first-round draft picks.  

 "We're still a work in progress (since when?),"  Thomas said. "With these two picks (Phoenix's pick in 2005, and San Antonio's in 2006), I don't know what they'll turn out to be, but some people have landed good talent there."  

 Good luck turning around the flailing Knicks, Isiah; I?m sure it?ll cost you your job at some point.

 Kostas.Bolos@realgm.com