There were a LOT of transactions going on, as today is the trading deadline.

First, Celtics' guard Gary Payton goes to his fourth team in three years as he's traded to the Atlanta Hawks in a five player deal.  The Hawks gave up Antoine Walker for Payton, Tom Gugliotta, and Michael Stewart.

It's actually sad when you look at Payton's past.  Last year he moved from the only team he ever played for to the Los Angeles Lakers in the hopes of winning an NBA title.  A year and a half later, he's being shipped to the worst team in the league in a deal where he's being shipped with two other players for one. 

I really don't know what the Hawks get out of this.  Do they really think Payton will resign with them, as he will be a free agent this summer?  It's as if the Hawks really don't want to compete with the rest of the NBA and are comfortable staying in the trash heap at the bottom of the league.

As for Antoine Walker, he returns to the team where he broke out as a star in order to possibly compete with the Sixers for the Atlantic Division title.  I actually hope both teams make the playoffs.

Baron Davis finally got his wish and will move west to Golden State for Speedy Claxton and fossil Dale Davis.  Kudos to Davis getting out of that hellhole, and congrats to Shinnridge for making it easier for Stern to run you out of the league.

The New York Knicks made considerable changes to their front court as center Nazr Mohammed and guard Jamison Brewer went to the Spurs for Malik Rose and a first round pick.  Then, they traded Vin Baker and Moochie Norris to the Houston Rockets for Maurice Taylor and another first round pick.

No doubt this was the best trade in the last couple of days.  The Knicks acquired an undersized center in Malik Rose, but he works very hard, and Maurice Taylor is very underrated due to the outstanding forwards in the Western Conference.  Rose's contract will take up a lot of cap space, but the two first round picks they picked up might be able to strengthen the team if Rose and Taylor aren't able to adequately produce for the Knicks.  I like this move, and Isiah Thomas deserves his props.

In other NBA news, the Mavericks acquired Keith Van Horn from Milwaukee for Alan Henderson, Calvin Booth, and some cash (money ain't a thang for Mark Cuban).  Glen Robinson leaves the Sixers to go to the Hornets for Jamal Mashburn and a returning Rodney Rogers.  Both Robinson and Mashburn are on injured reserve and won't play for the rest of the season, so this is no big deal.