So, we're back in Secaucus after All-Star, trying to get our (weary) heads around all the deadline talk. We'll keep you updated here with everything we come across.

Jeff already chimed in on some of the rumors, mostly involving the Nets. Personally, I wouldn't deal Jason Kidd to LA if Andrew Bynum is not coming back to Jersey. I like Jordan Farmar, but if I already have Marcus Williams, Farmar doesn't make the deal for me. Heck, the Nets drafted Williams (and Josh Boone) when Farmar was still on the board. And Jason Kidd is still at the top of his game.

Of course, I can understand why LA wouldn't want to include Bynum either. So, unless a third team is involved, I'm not sure I can see Kidd becoming a Laker by Thursday.

And any thoughts of Vince Carter being dealt to Orlando might be put to rest by a simple, one-word answer from Magic GM Otis Smith.

From everything I hear and read, the Nets would rather deal Carter than Kidd, but Carter's market value is not nearly that of Kidd. With his contract situation, a Carter deal is far more likely to happen this summer ... and Michael Jordan says the Bobcats will be willing to spend some money.

More:
The Cavs want a point guard.
Chad Ford has fun with the Trade Checker. (Insider only)
Ben Gordon thinks the Bulls could use some help on the interior.

Feb 20 -- The deadline for teams to make trades is fast approaching, and many big names are being mentioned as possibilities to be moved by the Feb. 22, 3 p.m. ET deadline. Several teams pulled triggers on blockbusters well in advance of the deadline. Allen Iverson was sent from Philadelphia to Denver in exchange for Andre Miller and Joe Smith on Dec. 19. The Warriors and Pacers stole the headlines on Jan. 17 when they made an eight-player swap.

But there has been only smoke since the fire from those deals receded. The trade front had remained relatively calm until several smaller deals started to trickle in this week. Memphis acquired Scott Padgett from Houston for Jake Tsakalidis, while San Antonio picked up Melvin Ely from Charlotte for Eric Williams.

The recent spurt of activity may just be a sign of things to come as team excecutives had plenty of time on their hands over the All-Star break to discuss possible moves. There have been numerous big names mentioned in trade rumors, ranging from New Jersey's duo of Jason Kidd and Vince Carter to Seattle's Ray Allen and Memphis' Pau Gasol.

Last year's deadline came and passed without any marquee names switching teams on the final day. Only time will tell if Thursday will resemble 2006 or 2005, when notable names such as Gary Payton, Antoine Walker, Baron Davis and Mike James found new homes.

Thursday's Articles:

Newark Star-Ledger: The deadline to make an NBA trade has come down to its final hours, and the Nets are still finding themselves with the same old options, and very little incentive to pursue them. After another full day spent with a phone attached to his ear, Rod Thorn arrived at the same conclusions he had reached a week ago: "I'd be very surprised if anything happened with us," the Nets president said last night. "There's still time, but I'd be surprised."

Sacramento Bee: With the trading deadline at noon PST today, the Kings have been actively trying to exchange point guard Mike Bibby for the right building pieces, and Cleveland continues to appear the most likely option. The Cavaliers have been aggressively trying to acquire Bibby in what they see as a vital piece toward a title run. Trades have been discussed involving three or more teams, though a Kings official said none of the talks had reached the point where deals were being turned down.

Chicago Sun-Times: Actually, it's all but certain that neither Luol Deng nor any of the other members of the Bulls' young core -- Kirk Hinrich, Ben Gordon and Andres Nocioni -- will be headed to Memphis in exchange for 7-foot forward Pau Gasol. A deal still could be made for Gasol, who would fill the Bulls' interior scoring needs, if Grizzlies president Jerry West lowers his asking price, which is believed to include at least two of the four core players and a first-round draft pick. One name that has surfaced lately in connection with the Bulls' trade talks is Shareef Abdur-Rahim, a 6-9, 245-pound forward for the Sacramento Kings.

Contra Costa Times: The NBA's trade deadline was 18 hours away, but swingman Mickael Pietrus -- the Warrior most likely to be dealt -- showed a serene facade Wednesday night. The fourth-year player, whose status as an impending restricted free agent after the season makes him difficult for the cash-strapped Warriors to retain, wasn't sweating things in the run-up to today's noon deadline. "If something happens, something happens. I don't really mind," Pietrus said.

Wednesday's Articles:

Newark Star-Ledger: There are only hours remaining before the market closes, but Rod Thorn is going to make it easy for you. "I've been on the phone a fair amount -- probably 15 calls or so. And nothing has transpired whatsoever, just a lot of talk," the Nets president said yesterday. So the perception that Jason Kidd and/or Vince Carter will soon be wearing some other team's colors was ... what, media hysteria? "You might say that, yes," Thorn said, chuckling.

New York Post: While several NBA execs put a damper on the possibility of Jason Kidd moving anywhere by tomorrow's 3 p.m. deadline - one labeled a potential deal as "highly doubtful" - other league sources claimed new talks were initiated regarding Vince Carter, despite his ability to opt out of his contract at season's end. One exec said there was a 50-50 chance of a trade.

Chicago Sun-Times: The unsubstantiated talk was that a package including Chris Duhon, Tyrus Thomas, Andres Nocioni, and a first-round draft pick could seal a deal for Memphis Grizzlies forward Pau Gasol. As for a report that the Bulls could get Zach Randolph from the Portland Trail Blazers without losing a young talent such as Ben Gordon or Luol Deng, Blazers president Steve Patterson laughed before telling the Portland Tribune, ''Guess again.''

Toronto Sun: The NBA trade deadline arrives tomorrow at 3 p.m. and Sam Mitchell would prefer not to even talk about it. "I don't even go there because if there is something out there that can help us improve, then Bryan (Colangelo) is going to do that. That's his job," Mitchell said. Mitchell summed up his thoughts on the deadline saying, "If Bryan doesn't make a move it will be because there's nothing out there to improve us."

Tuesday's Articles:

New York Post: Pau Gasol's exodus from Memphis has lost momentum. If the Grizzlies can't wheedle Ben Gordon and Luol Deng from the Bulls, he's not going anywhere, it says here. Meaning Gasol is staying put.

New York Daily News: Jason Kidd made it clear last night that he'd prefer to stay with the Nets. Vince Carter made it clear that he doesn't want to talk about his future, at least not yet and certainly not to the media. On their first day back at practice after attending All-Star festivities in Las Vegas over the weekend both Kidd and Carter addressed their status with the team, which may or may not change prior to Thursday's trade deadline.

USA Today: The NBA's trade deadline is Thursday, and some big names could move. But don't expect Kevin Garnett to be among them. Although the Minnesota Timberwolves are struggling, Garnett is happy where he is and Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor and vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale maintain that they aren't interested in moving the former MVP and one of the league's best all-around players, even though there are plenty of suitors.

Sports Illustrated: The consensus around the league is that this trade deadline could be one of the busier ones in recent memory. With the Eastern Conference race still wide open, there is ample incentive for teams to make moves. The Bulls, Nets, Cavs, Clippers, Warriors and Nuggets are among those said to be most active. So how will it all shake out? Here's a look at some of the bigger names who might be wearing a new uniform at week's end.