CLEVELANDNow that the All-Star game is in the books, attention in the NBA will quickly shift to the next major event -- the NBA trading deadline.
There are a number of big-name players who might be on the move between now and the March 15 deadline. The most notable being Orlando's Dwight Howard, who has asked the Magic to trade him.
Orlando has been in talks with a number of teams since Howard's request, but a deal does not seem imminent. That's not surprising given that Howard was a huge draw for the home crowd at this weekend's All-Star Game.
Now that the All-Star Game is in the books and a number of teams -- including the Boston Celtics -- will be looking for ways to improve. And making a trade will certainly be an option.
Danny Ainge, Boston's president of basketball operations, has said many times that he's open to doing whatever he deems necessary to help bolster the Celtics' roster.
But with all the injuries Boston has had this year, it's difficult to gauge whether this team needs a major shake-up or time to get healthy.
If you talk with the current players and head coach Doc Rivers, it's banged up bodies -- not bad players -- that are at the root of the team's problems.
When asked what the Celtics need to do moving forward, Paul Pierce said, "One, us being more consistent, to get healthy. Those are the two main issues right now. Just being consistent with what we're doing and being healthy."
Still, that won't stop the questions from coming about potential trades, something that's difficult for any player to completely ignore.
"It's impossible not to (pay attention to trade rumors)," said Nets guard Deron Williams, who was traded from Utah last year shortly before the trading deadline. "There's no doubt that the media is coming to ask questions everyday. It's part of the game. It's part of our job. Trades happen."