The 2004 offseason was a whirlwind of huge trades, free agent speculation and, yes, even intrigue. Take a look at NBA.com's countdown of the most significant moves of the offseason and see which ones may have the most impact on the 2004-05 season.

Shaquille O'Neal wanted out of L.A. The Lakers granted the three-time Finals MVP his wish by shipping him to Miami. But L.A. didn't come out empty handed. They picked up Lamar Odom, Caron Butler and Brian Grant in the swap. Meanwhile, Kobe Bryant re-upped with the Lakers. With Shaq gone, Kobe finally gets the reins in L.A.

The changeover in L.A. didn't end with shipping Shaq. Karl Malone and Gary Payton, who were brought in to help the Lakers to a title, aren't around this season either. Malone's weighing his future after knee surgery, and Payton, after exercising his option to stay in L.A. was traded to Boston. Also gone are Derek Fisher and Rick Fox, who were fixtures during L.A.'s three straight titles.

TNT analyst Kenny Smith noted that teams with stability are often the teams that win titles. Hence, it may be good that Minnesota and Detroit made minimal noise in the offseason. The Timberwolves' major offseason move was to re-sign explosive point guard Troy Hudson while the defending NBA champs added Antonio McDyess and Derrick Coleman to their already formidable frontcourt.

Sports Illustrated surmised that with Tracy McGrady now in Houston, it could be the beginning of the McMing Dynasty. Despite their super-sized expectations for this season, the Rockets had to ship their backcourt of Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley to Orlando in exchange for last season's league-leading scorer.

Another Eastern Conference All-Star headed West when the Nets shipped Kenyon Martin to Denver for three No. 1 draft picks. The Nuggets' frontcourt, already stout with Nenê, Marcus Camby and Francisco Elson, may have become the best in the West with K-Mart's addition. Question is: Can they find minutes for everyone?

Should he stay? Or should he go? The Cavaliers thought Carlos Boozer would stay in the wine and gold, so they let him become a free agent. But Boozer received a better offer from the Jazz and will now man the power forward position in Utah, where they also signed Mehmet Okur to shore up the post. As for Cavaliers fans, they await the ides of March when Boozer and the Jazz visit Cleveland on March 15.

They didn't get the huge ink that some deals did, but these signings aren't about press. The teams want production. And that's what they'll get. In San Antonio, Brent Barry is a consistent perimeter shooter that can take the heat off Tim Duncan. Stephen Jackson gives Indiana an athletic, confident two guard. And in Memphis, the Grizzlies signed one of the league's hardest workers in Brian Cardinal.

At the start of training camp, Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said the Suns needed to raise their basketball IQ. Veteran point guard Steve Nash returns to the Valley of the Sun to boost the Suns' collective basketball intelligence, while shooting guard Quentin Richardson adds even more "Q" to the Suns.

Last season, Antawn Jamison accepted a sixth man role with the Mavericks and won the NBA's Sixth Man Award. Yet, the Mavs had plenty of guys who could fill Jamison's shoes, but no one to man the paint. So, Dallas dished Jamison to the Wizards while they brought in Jamison's former Golden State teammate, Erick Dampier to fill the Mavs' void in the middle. And the Mavericks weren't done, as they sent Antoine Walker (see below) to Atlanta in exchange for Jason Terry to fill in for the departed Nash (see above).

Recognize any of the Atlanta Hawks? Only two players, reserves Chris Crawford and Boris Diaw, remain from last year's team. The Hawks' cupboard isn't bare, however. They acquired former All-Star Antoine Walker from Dallas and rising star Al Harrington from Indiana. After six straight years out of the playoffs, now is a good time to start all over again.