With the trade deadline approaching, I thought it would be fun to take a look at how much activity has gone down in recent deadlines. It was. In fact the trade deadline is probably my favorite day of the season. Let it be known that I also prefer to play the offseason in NBA 2k8 to actually playing the game... I know, I need help.

As far as what to expect between now and the end of the day tomorrow, I wouldn't get too excited. Four stars being moved in the span of three weeks is pretty incredible in and of itself. I think the Wolves have a potential role to play by taking on a bit of salary from a luxury tax team (Elson from San Antonio helps them AND gets us a cheap center), but other than facilitating another deal they have no immediate need to get something done.

February 21, 2008. Transaction History. NBA.com Summary.
Deals on deadline day: ??? 3 5
Deals within 3 weeks of the deadline: 5 7 9 11 (as of 2/21 3:26pm CST)

• Jason Kidd to Dallas
• Mike Bibby to Atlanta
• Shaquille O'Neal to Phoenix (aka Shawn Marion to Miami)
• Pau Gasol to LA Lakers

February 22, 2007. Transaction History. NBA.com Summary. This NBA.com link is frighteningly prescient: Jason Kidd, Mike Bibby AND Pau Gasol were all mentioned as traded candidates. Then it turned out that the most exciting deal to go down was Juan Dixon for Fred Jones.
Deals on deadline day: 3
Deals within 3 weeks of the deadline: 5

February 23, 2006. Transaction History. NBA.com Summary.
Deals on deadline day: 5 (one 4-team trade)
Deals within 3 weeks of the deadline: 11 (one 4-team trade)

• Steve Francis to New York
• Darko Milicic to Orlando
• Radmanovic/Wilcox swap

February 24, 2005. Transaction History. NBA.com Summary.
Deals on deadline day: 10
Deals within 3 weeks of the deadline: 13

• Chris Webber to Philadelphia
• Baron Davis to Golden State
• Antoine Walker to Boston
• Keith Van Horn to Dallas

February 19, 2004. Transaction History. NBA.com Summary.
Deals on deadline day: 4 (one 3-team trade)
Deals within 3 weeks of the deadline: 6 (two 3-team trades)

• Rasheed Wallace to Atlanta, then to Detroit
• Van Horn to Bucks/Tim Thomas to Knicks