TIS THE season when general managers nestle all snug in their beds, while visions of cap space and unprotected draft picks dance in their heads. So here is SI's holiday present to them: five deals—each of which would benefit both teams—that should be made before the Feb. 19 trade deadline.

1. G Vince Carter to the Clippers; C Chris Kaman and G Eric Gordon to the Nets
Despite a surprising 13--13 start, New Jersey isn't rebuilding around the soon-to-be-32-year-old Carter, so the Nets should move him while his value is still high. Los Angeles needs scoring and star power to emerge from the shadow of Kobe Bryant's Lakers. Kaman is redundant in L.A.—the Clippers would still have a nice high-low combo in Marcus Camby and Zach Randolph—but he rebounds, blocks shots and has a low-post game that would complement jump-shooting power forward Yi Jianlian. And Gordon is more than a throw-in: The seventh pick in last June's draft, from Indiana, he would ultimately replace Carter at shooting guard.

2. C-F Rasheed Wallace to the Hornets; C Tyson Chandler to the Pistons
New Orleans's payroll next season is $77 million, threatening owner George Shinn with a $6 million luxury-tax bill that he can't afford. The Hornets would drop below the threshold when Wallace's $13.9 million salary comes off the books this summer, and they can claim that he improves their immediate title hopes by providing a versatile scoring option to go with Chris Paul and David West. In Chandler, Detroit would gain a longer version of Ben Wallace to protect the rim—without giving up Allen Iverson's expiring contract.

3. C Brad Miller to the Cavaliers; G Eric Snow and F J.J. Hickson to the Kings
Cleveland wants to upgrade for a title run and not upset its chemistry—which makes Miller an excellent fit. One of the league's most skilled centers, he provides insurance for Zydrunas Ilgauskas as well as another frontcourt shooter and playmaker to pair with LeBron James. But that's not all: The 7-foot Miller adds to the Cavs' size advantage over the Celtics, and his contract ($23.6 million remaining) expires in two years, satisfying Cleveland's objective to have cap space in 2010 in order to add a big-name running mate for James. Woeful Sacramento is also aiming for '10, and this deal hands the Kings $13 million in instant savings (Snow's contract expires next summer) as well as Hickson, a promising rookie power forward.

4. G-F Anthony Parker and F-C Nathan Jawai to the Bucks; G Charlie Bell and F Austin Croshere to the Raptors
Is this the ideal way for Toronto to fill its desperate need for a backup point guard? Of course not—but it's the best the Raptors can do while saving enough money to get under the luxury-tax threshold this season. Bell isn't a true point, but he's capable enough to spell overworked José Calderón. Milwaukee, meanwhile, sheds Bell's contract (three years, $11.5 million remaining beyond this season) for Parker, whose three-point shooting and professionalism will come in handy before his contract runs out this summer. Croshere could help Toronto as a frontcourt shooter, but he and Jawai are mainly throw-ins for cap purposes.

5. F Joe Smith to the Nuggets; G Chucky Atkins and a first-round pick to the Thunder
Denver needs a backup big man for the playoffs, and Smith can do it all—score, rebound and defend—while enhancing any locker room's chemistry. Oklahoma City would pick up its third first-rounder in June and save $1.6 million this season. Even if this particular deal doesn't go down, look for the Nuggets to drive all kinds of rumors as a contender eager to swap future assets for a title shot now.

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We would be so finished if the Cavs got Brad Miller.

I'd give up anything but stuckey for tyson chandler i think

I like Chandler, but much rather have Kamen. Not sure how the salaries work out but if would could give up Rip and Amir that would be ideal.

yeah I would prefer to trade Rip for Kamen and it works straight up. Both teams would benefit greatly from this trade. LAC gets to keep Gordon and they get the 2 guard that they need. Also the Pistons get a guy that will pair up nicely with Sheed (which I think is key) and a center that they can build around.

Now thinking about it, I would welcome that as well... Now in the off season we could concentrate on a player like ben gordon coming of our bench...

I would also much rather get rid of Rip.

As fed up as I have been with Sheed, a low post presence and lane clogger would really help Sheed's game and help the team. Especially the way they would spread the floor.

Also, I would not be upset with Stuck and AI starting, leaving Rip.

I'm with the Rip thing. As good as he is....

If you add up the ability of the Pistons, they are good enough to contend with the Fakers and Smeltics IMO. But, the whole is less than the sum of the parts in this case.

The Pistons don't have to heist anybody in a trade, they just need a new shape.

My other opinions play in...like
*Tay and Stuckey being the shizzle.
*Sheed's game and expiring both being too valuable.
*AI being capable of leadership on a championship team if that team is well proportioned.
*Amir and Dice being the envy of the league if they are the 3rd and 4th bigs.
*Afflalo capable of being a good +/- guy even if he is getting some of his clock with the starters.

I'll come clean....J-Max could go too. No disrespect.

I would lean toward the Rip for Kaman trade, since no one has the guts to bench one of our guards for the benifit of the team.

But if we can get AI or Rip to come off the bench then I would perfer Chandler for Sheed.

It just seems like Sheed is mailing it in and had been slow on the defensive end all year.

Heck, you could probably do both and be OK.

I would prefer a Rip for Kamen trade also. I'm greedy and would like to see a Rip/Max for Kamen/Gordon. I'm not sure why the Clippers would want to trade either one of those guys? They need Kamen because he is the only true center they have. Gordon is going to be a big time scorer at some point. I can't see why they would give up on either one of those two guys?

I like the Chandler trade. We are in desperate need of a defensive presence down low. Tyson's shot blocking and rebounding ability is sorely needed. That deal would make Amir expendable because I don't think we could resign him and Tyson along with a big name free agent in 2010. It also doesn't do away with the small ball we have been playing. Either someone needs to swallow their pride and come off the bench or we need to try and move Rip,AI or Tay for a PF/C and bench help.

you do know kaman is out tillk mid jan right ?

quote:

Originally posted by BEASTS OF THE EAST:
you do know kaman is out tillk mid jan right ?

that is more than enough time to be sure to deal sheed or rip... make the deal

Another "I" for Rip/Kaman.

Keep in mind, the majority of Chandlers points are from alley-oops from Paul, which of course would not happen here on this team.

why not rip for chandler id probably do that more then the kamen deal... i dunno if the salaries match but throw in maxy to clear up more space for 2010 an cop mo pete i think his contract is up soon, or if peja contract run out by 2010 he can really add an element we never really had an thats a real knockdown shooter with 3 range, something that would prob thrive here cuz u cant cheat off him or ur gonna get burned by him, an if u dont cheat more room for everyone else to do there thing

quote:

Originally posted by AIadvocate:
Reason I say this is, while we need another low post presence, Stuckey and Iverson with points in the paint and ability to get the foul line almost counts as a big man who can score. But what we need is another defensive rebounder. We can score enough with what we got. But Rip needs to be the one that goes. His contract is not scary by any means, 3 years 30 million. I mean if we can get him to goto the Knicks and take Eddy Curry, I'm more than happy.

I'm with u until u mention eddy curry.. If i can get him for kwame, and the scraps then yeah. Other than that, go for a bigger fish.. Kaman/Camby...

I like Hamilton for Kaman just for the simple fact that our team looks to play better when either Rip or AI is out.

These two are having too much trouble finding chemistry and I think with Chauncey gone Rip won't thrive like he did.

If we can get a solid C to put along Sheed it would also help him thrive more at PF. Plus without Hamilton being here the odds of being able resign AI improve.

I am not big on resigning him but maybe we can get him to do a 1 year deal.

Or how about Kaman/Gordon for Rim/Amir... I don't know how valuable Gordon is to LA but he would be a nice addition off the bench or maybe even Ricky Davis.

Of course just Kaman for Rip would still be a great move.

quote:

Originally posted by The Ostrich:
Or how about Kaman/Gordon for Rim/Amir... I don't know how valuable Gordon is to LA but he would be a nice addition off the bench or maybe even Ricky Davis.

Of course just Kaman for Rip would still be a great move.

I don't think there is anyway the Clippers give away Gordon.

That move makes no sense for them.

WTFis this love affair with Kaman? I'll take Wilcox or Tyson any day.

quote:

Originally posted by Jay Jacob:
.. If i can get him for kwame, and the scraps then yeah. ..

Kwame might be better than Eddy Curry.

Eddy doesn't even play anymore.