NBA Trade Deadline Snoozer: Tanking and Bench Fortifying for Fringe Playoff Teams

Look at what’s gone down in the last 48 hours:

* The 76ers sent Spencer Hawes to the Cavs for draft picks. The Cavs, inexplicably, want the 8th playoff spot. The 76ers weren’t going to re-sign Hawes, so now they can bring on rookie Nerlens Noel, or go with no center and aim for the No. 1 pick.
* Warriors acquire Steve Blake from the tanking Lakers for peanuts. Could be significant since the Warriors’ bench has been terrible. As a Golden State fan, I’d like to think it’ll be big; reality is it probably won’t. The Lakers are hoping for a Top 3 draft pick.
* The Nets got Marcus Thornton from the Kings. Whoop de damn do.
* Andre Miller was shipped out of Denver to Washington. Veteran leadership (well, unless you count his ugly ending in Denver)! Maybe the Wizards will win a playoff series this year. Washington finally threw in the towel on Jan Vesely, that epic bust from the 2011 draft (6th overall).
* Gary Neal & Luke Ridnour are going from Milwaukee to Charlotte for two guys. Deck chairs. Titanic.

The only way there’s a real story today? If Rajon Rondo gets traded (seems unlikely) or Pau Gasol goes to a contender (would be smart of the Lakers, not sure Kobe lets it happen).