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Today at 3 p.m. is the official NBA Trade Deadline. And apparently, like most Americans, GMs around the league are a bunch of procrastinators because not much has happened as of yet. The biggest deal has been an oft-injured former No. 1 pick for an inefficient volume shooter.
But today deals will hopefully be had both big and small. Will Dwight Howard be traded or opt in to his final year with the Orlando Magic. Will the New Jersey Nets then be forced to deal Deron Williams? Will the Atlanta Hawks trade Josh Smith? Any chance the Bulls land Pau Gasol? And what about smaller names like Jamal Crawford, Ramon Sessions, J.J. Hickson, et al?
And most importantly, is there any chance that Joe Dumars makes a deal? For Bynum? For Daye? For Maxiell? Does he have incriminating photos that would force someone to trade for Ben Gordon or Charlie Villanueva?
UPDATE: Also, let's make this an open thread of all the latest rumblings about possible and definite trades today.
To whet our appetite for the crazy day that awaits us, here are the latest NBA trade rumors and possible deadline deals:
Dwight Howard Admits Mistakes Plans To Opt In - RealGM Wiretap
Jarrod Rudolph of Real GM has the scoop of the day, actual verbal committment from Dwight Howard that he will officially opt in for the final year of his contract with the Magic.
"Man, listen, you know my heart, my soul and everything I have is in Orlando," Howard told RealGM. "I just can't leave it behind."
Sources -- Los Angeles Lakers heating up trade talks for Minnesota Timberwolves' Michael Beasley - ESPN Los Angeles
The Lakers revisited talks to acquire Minnesota Timberwolves forward Michael Beasley on Wednesday, multiple league sources told ESPNLosAngeles.com. Several variations of the trade have been discussed. One would land Beasley on the Lakers in a three-team deal that would send Portland Trail Blazers guard Jamal Crawford to the Wolves and Luke Ridnour from Minnesota to Portland. Los Angeles would give up one of its two 2012 first-round draft picks in the deal and use its $8.9 million trade exception, acquired when it traded Lamar Odom to the Dallas Mavericks in December, to absorb Beasley's approximate $6.3 million salary. Portland would also receive the Lakers' first-round pick.
Wizards actively trying to trade C Javale McGee, but one GM said, "they are asking for the world," sources say.
— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) March 15, 2012
Celtics having conversations with Kings about JJ Hickson, source says.
— Sam Amico (@SamAmicoFSO) March 15, 2012
Hornets Open to Moving Ariza, Veterans? | HOOPSWORLD | Basketball News & NBA Rumors
The Hornets want to move pretty much everyone apparently.
Utah Jazz, New Jersey Nets to Strike Deal? | HOOPSWORLD | Basketball News & NBA Rumors
Nets looking to unload Johan Petro and might bring Deron Williams a few friends from his Utah days.