Who's about to get traded? Who wants to be traded? And who won't be traded but it's fun to talk about them anyway? That's why we're here, or at least part of the reason. Here are some of the names in the news before the NBA trading deadline, which is Thursday at 6 p.m. ET.

We already have seen Dikembe Mutombo get moved to Philadelphia for Theo Ratliff and others. Last year only very reserve guard Anthony Johnson was dealt (to Orlando, for a conditional draft pick). He was so critical to the team that they cut him, then Johnson went back to Atlanta and was shipped to Cleveland in the Jim Jackson deal not long ago. Who knows, maybe he gets traded again? We're hoping for some more action this year.

Anyway, have some comments? Click here and let us know...

Otherwise, here's some of what we hear:

Thu., Feb. 22

WHO	TOPIC	THE HARSH REALITY
	Would the Sonics really part with Gary Payton?	A resounding yes! The Sonics are having talks with the Knicks about Latrell Sprewell and Payton could be moving to Gotham if the Knicks agree to part with the previously untouchable swingman. Others would have to be included in the deal. Seattle basically admits that Payton's play has deteriorated in the last year and at 33, they would like to trade him, whether it's now or this summer. Vin Baker is on the block as well. The Sonics want to start over next year, with Rashard Lewis the centerpiece. No Payton, Baker and definitely no Patrick Ewing.

WHO	TOPIC	THE HARSH REALITY
	Will Michael Jordan successfully unload someone off his overpaid list, someone like Juwan Howard?	Jordan has been talking to a bunch of teams about one, two or all three of his overpaid and underwhelming stars, and he might be close to sending Juwan Howard to Dallas for Shawn Bradley, Christian Laettner and Courtney Alexander. Hey, Wiz fans, if you didn't like Juwan or Rod, you're sure to love Bradley and Laettner! Money is no object to Mark Cuban, and he figures Dirk can play center, so why not get Howard, a financial nightmare but productive.

WHO	TOPIC	THE HARSH REALITY
	Why would Minnesota go and trade emerging youngster Wally Szczerbiak?	Well, it depends what they could get in return. Rumors have the Bulls trying to get Wally, who they figure would be a nice building block for them at small forward, where currently no star resides. Marcus Fizer is clearly a luxury the Bulls don't need, not with Elton Brand around. Szczerbiak for Fizer and say Ron Artest? Would the Wolves risk this? Don't forget that Wally and Kevin Garnett have fought numerous times in the past, so this might come in to the thinking. Also, the Wolves have no draft picks for the next five years, so Chicago could give them some.

WHO	TOPIC	THE HARSH REALITY
	The Bulls don't appear to like Brad Miller much. So where's he going?	Brad Miller was actually a pretty sought after free agent this past summer, and the Bulls got him. But now Miller wants no part of winning once a month and wouldn't mind going elsewhere. Pat Riley's Heat still have that void in the middle, where Brian Grant can't possibly make it through the entire season and the playoffs. Miller isn't a banger, but he would score in double figures and rebound a bit if he got the chance. He scored 20 points on Tuesday to showcase. The Knicks could also use him. He's no Luc Longley.

WHO	TOPIC	THE HARSH REALITY
	Will anybody, we mean anybody, take malcontent Derrick Coleman from the Hornets?	Here's the deal with Coleman. He's a talented player, as he showed last year, but such a miserable person he just makes his team lose. The Hornets would consider flat-out releasing him. The Knicks, Heat and other teams that need size would consider DC, but is it worth ruining chemistry? Ask Paul Silas what he thinks. Nevertheless, Coleman's name will be bandied about. Philly's Larry Brown wants him, but won't overpay.

WHO	TOPIC	THE HARSH REALITY
	The Raptors are playoff-bound. Why would they trade center Antonio Davis now?	The Raptors aren't a team that can win the NBA title, and they know it. Davis is playing center, but he's not a center, and they know it. He's also a free agent this summer who is building a home in Orlando and wants to be with Tracy McGrady again. He's gone. The Raps do have a center in house in Keon Clark, and would love to get a scorer for Davis. Mike Miller? Dikembe? Not likely. More of the Tracy Murray theme? Yes.

WHO	TOPIC	THE HARSH REALITY
	Terrell Brandon has been the subject of rumors for awhile. Could the Knicks get him?	The Wolves just had an 11-game winning streak, so why would they move their point guard? Well, Brandon does make a ton of money and he is in demand, so the Wolves would have to consider options. The Knicks might look to move recently acquired Othella Harrington. Also, the Grizz are looking to move Mike Bibby and he could end up in a three-way involving Brandon as well. Overall, Brandon's got great numbers, but he's always an injury risk and Minnesota could theoretically stick Chauncey Billups at the point or wait for William Avery.

WHO	TOPIC	THE HARSH REALITY
	Are any members of the Grizz, namely Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Mike Bibby, really available?	We think not, at least not the big guys. Bryant Reeves, Ike Austin, sure, anyone can have them for a gym bag, but Reef, Bibby, you'd think that keeping them would make the impending sale of the team a lot more attractive. Rick Pitino really wanted Bibby, but let's face it, a lot of teams could use the guy. Think the Knicks wouldn't want a good point guard? But only if you take Big Country to your country.

WHO	TOPIC	THE HARSH REALITY
	Will any team take Rod Strickland?	It's almost impossible to sell Strickland on anyone these days. He just won't play. Maybe his groin problem, the one officially keeping him out of action, is legit, but Strickland is far removed from being a major contributor, and like Derrick Coleman, he's not the kind of guy you want at your kid's birthday party. He's more tradeable now because his base-year compensation tag has been lifted, but he still costs a bunch. Knicks? Sure, they do need that point guard.

WHO	TOPIC	THE HARSH REALITY
	Hakeem Olajuwon says he wanted to be on the Heat. Then he changed his mind. What's the deal?	Miami could definitely use Hakeem for the remainder of the season, but it seems as if Hakeem's change of heart will keep him in Houston at least through the season. To be fair, Olajuwon has played better recently, and we don't deny he'd love to go after winning another title, which can't happen in Houston this year or next, but what damage will it do to The Dream if he goes to a contender and stinks up the joint like he did early this year? He's not the healthiest guy, you know. He's staying put, like pretty much everyone else.

WHO	TOPIC	THE HARSH REALITY
	Would the Bulls really move Elton Brand?	The Bulls are so bad, anyone can be had if it helps the team. So, you ask, how can Chicago help itself by moving arguably its only marketable asset? Brand is a fine player, but the Bulls haven't done a good job building around him, and fans and management are losing patience in Chitown. And there is Marcus Fizer there to take his spot. Of the bigger names who have been thrown out there, even if there's no chance they will be dealt, like Mutombo, Jason Kidd, Antoine Walker, Shareef, Gary Payton, Allan Houston, you name it, you'd think the Bulls might want to get involved somehow.