Traitors

This year has provided an extremely active trade season in the NBA. We will start with a few of the blockbuster trades so far this off season.
-Shaq to Cleaveland- this is a good move for Cleveland. I would not give this move any more commitment than that until I am able to see how Shaq does next season. He will be playing a different role as a "bodyguard" this next season. For once he is not the biggest personality of his team. It will be interesting to see him a this role. One thing Shaq will not disrupt is the amount of fun the Cavilers have, with both him and LeBron pulling jokes and having fun with the rest of the team. The Cavs will have a relaxed air about them no team is going to match. My question is what happens to Ilgauskas? Clearly not the same defender or presence inside Shaq is. How will he handle coming off the bench. I am assuming of course he will play behind Shaq.
-Artest to L.A.- The best move of any team in the draft or trade this off season. As far as money on an investment you are getting a brusing deffender and one of the more intimidating people on the basketball court in the current game, and only giving up a good defender who was a decent spot shooter. Now Artest is intimidating if for nothing else other than the fact he is crazy and has the tendency to fly off the handle. If nothing else Kobe isn't going to have to wear himself out both mentally and physically having to deal with him on the opposing team. Now is he going to behave himself. Under the direction of Kobe and the Zen Master I don't think there will be too much of a problem with his attitude. Watch out rest of the league L.A. just got even better than they were.
-Villaneuva and Gordon to Detroit- I think every one is realizing how important Billups was to that team and how with out him the rest of the players are not going to be able to perform at the same level. These two players are not going to replace Billups at all, and they move away from the typical tough defence Detroit usually plays. Bad move in my opinion for the Pistons, and will only move them further down the list in the East.
These are only the big trades so far and there is talk of more and more big names on the move. We will see if Boston or Portland are able to land their big players in the next couple of days. One thing is for sure, with the amount of action other teams are making so far if you don't make a couple of big trades you are going to be in trouble next year.