Trade deadline passes with a whimper

Worth a lot if you can find it.

All bark, no bite. That's normally how the NBA's trade deadline goes. This year was no different as a litany of mega-stars were in the news, but just a handful actually changed area codes.

Uhaul was on red-alert, but in the end just a few major moves were made.

The Sixers were not involved in anything, as their bargaining chip, Andre Miller, went down with a calf injury last night. That pretty much assured him he would remain a Sixer for the remainder of the year, which isn't a bad thing considering last night without him.

Miller's contract expires after this year, so the Sixers are still in the drivers seat regardless. They can resign him, or let him walk and reap the benefits of cap space in this dingy economic crisis we have on our hands.

As for the rest of the field, a few big moves went down on Wednesday, some of which included former 76ers and others with Philly ties. By my count at least 8 players (nine if you count Joe Smith's recinded trade) were moved at the deadline that were drafted or played for the Sixers, or have Philly ties.

In one of the bigger transactions of the day, Larry Hughes was sent from the Chicago Bulls to the New York Knicks. In exhange, the Bulls recieved Tim Thomas, Jerome James, and Anthony Roberson. Thomas is a former Villanova star and was a 76er for a year and a half to start his career. Hughes was drafted by the Sixers in the 1998 draft, but he too lasted just over one year with the team. Coincidence? I think so.

Hughes will be the two-guard Mike D'Antoni has coveted since they gave up on Jamal Crawford earlier in the year. Hughes will disappoint as usual and shoot a low percentage, something D'Antoni wont like. Thomas is an underachiver as well, but thats ok, he will be playing a backup role in Chicago.

Kyle Lowry's name had been in the headlines as well, as the Grizzlies looked to unload the backup and had entertained deals from Orlando and Miami, among others. He ended up moving to the Houston Rockets in a three way deal that involved Orlando as well. Lowry will now have a chance to start for the Rockets and will get a shot at the playoffs for the first time.

John Salmons was dealt to the Chicago Bulls with Kings teammate Brad Miller for Andres Nocioni and others. Salmons was on the Sixers from 2002-2006 and was part of the deal that netted the Sixers Chris Webber. Salmons is a very good offensive player and should fit in nicely with the Bulls.

Other former Sixers Calvin Booth and Michael Ruffin were also involved in trades as Booth heads to the Kings and Ruffin goes from the Bulls to the Kings to the Blazers in two separate deals.

Malik Rose, the former Drexel standout was also dealt. He moves from the Knicks to the Thunder for forward Chris Wilcox.

Thabo Sefolosha is a name you may not know, but was actually a Sixers draft pick 2006. He was dealt on draft night to the Bulls for the 16th pick, which ended up being Rodney Carney. Sefolosha moves from Chicago to Oklahoma City for a future first round pick. The Bulls were busy, no?

And finally, our dear friend Joe Smith, who made two tours to Philly, was nearly traded from the Thunder to the Hornets in a deal involving Tyson Chandler. That deal was nixed after OKlahoma City's team doctors found something wrong with Chandler. Smith is now looking for a buyout so he can join a contender.

And that's As the Trade Deadline Turns here at Thinksixers. Hope you enjoyed the lack of a trade deadline as much as I did.