While the NBA?s Feb. 24 trade deadline may still be more than a month away, let?s not fool ourselves into thinking the hot stove league isn?t already in full swing.

 Case in point, Thursday?s rumored- as reported by TNT?s NBA insider David Aldridge- blockbuster four-way deal involving the Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves and Toronto Raptors which would see a number of high-priced, bickering underachievers switch uniforms.

 According to Aldridge, disgruntled T-Wolves guard Latrell Sprewell would be sent to South Beach, Heat guard/forward Eddie Jones and Raptors forward Donyell Marshall would be shipped to Minnesota, the Knicks would receive the oft-rumored-to-be-dealt and bitter swingman Jalen Rose, while the Raptors in turn would receive the oft-injured- and yes, disgruntled- Penny Hardaway.

 Trade rumors are nothing new and Aldridge is known to speculate just a little now and then, so we shouldn?t be surprised that such gossip was reported on the air during TNT?s Thursday night NBA telecast.  

 What is surprising, however, is just how much steam the rumor has generated throughout the media and the Internet/message board community, especially when the proposed deal is almost laughable at best.

 Upon the Aldridge nugget of insider ?information,? we here at RealGM had the item as our lead story, still do as of Friday evening, while the Canadian Press and The Sports Network- two of Canada?s primary sources of sports information- were all over the rumor. Go to any fan message board- in particular RealGM?s, of course- and the alleged blockbuster is the hot topic of discussion.  

 I can?t say that I quite know why, as I wouldn?t even classify the rumor in the ?food for thought? category it?s so head-scratching.

 With TNT airing the highly-anticipated Kobe v. LeBron showdown- you know, the one which never materialized after Bryant suffered a severe ankle sprain midway through the first quarter ? as part of its Thursday night doubleheader all eyes were on the network and Aldridge?s insider segment.  

 So, as you would imagine, Aldridge brings out the heavy artillery, knowing he has a mass audience hanging on his every word, by mentioning how there is ?talk? of a blockbuster four-way deal and the rest is history.  Clever strategy on the part of the long-time NBA analyst, as it most certainly had all of us talking.

 But let?s take a closer look at the deal, shall we?  

 Is the four-team, five-player deal at all feasible?  Sure, especially when all of the aforementioned players- with the exception of, perhaps, Jones (why would he, playing on a first-place outfit?) and Marshall- want out of their current environments.  Sprewell needs to feed his family, Rose wants to be a starter again and Hardaway wants more playing time (once he?s actually healthy, of course, a rarity for the 12-year veteran, and returns to the Knicks lineup), so it doesn?t come as a surprise that they would be rumored in such a proposed deal.

 Still doesn?t mean the deal makes any sense whatsoever for the four teams rumored to be involved.

 Rob Babcock?s mandate as Raptors general manager has been clear from the outset:  He wants to save money and start over from scratch.  So, no, it is not surprising to hear that he would like to jettison Rose and the three years and $51 million remaining on his contract.  But for Penny Hardaway?  Granted, Hardaway has one year less remaining on his overblown contract, but he?s dead weight personified.  

 Furthermore, why would Babcock, who again wants to clear cap room, be willing to ship Marshall, particularly when he becomes a free agent at season?s end?  Just makes no sense.  

 Oh, and it gets better, believe me.

 Why would Thomas, who has a rather strenuous relationship with Rose from their Indiana Pacers days, be willing to acquire the former University of Michigan Fab Five floor general?  Thomas was largely responsible for Rose being shipped to the Chicago Bulls during the 2001-2002 season, so a Rose-Thomas reunion would be interesting to say the least.  

 But then again, Isiah has never been bashful when it comes to acquiring over-priced underachievers.

?That trade only helps Miami,? Charles Barkley said during the telecast in response to the Aldridge ?scoop?.  ?The rest of them, that?s just a waste of time.?

 Who am I to argue with what Sir Charles says?  But I?d have to disagree with him here.  

 Why would the Heat want to touch their roster at this point?  Jones is on the downside of his career, yes, but why rupture team chemistry when Miami has clearly established itself as the class of the Eastern Conference?  Again, makes little sense to me.

 Minnesota, losers of three straight and 11 of 15 until winning on the road in Denver Friday night, is in dire need of a change and would surely like to rid themselves of the whiny Sprewell, but just don?t expect them to land Jones and/or Marshall.  

 The only winner in this instance is Aldridge himself, who managed to get the entire league talking over a rather ridiculous deal he more than likely fabricated.  Way to go, D.A.  Give yourself a pat on the back.

 Unfortunately, the weird and wacky season that is the NBA?s annual trade deadline is just getting started, so look for more crazy trade speculation in the weeks to come.