With a spiraling economy and a crop of teams looking to slash payroll in anticipation of the 2010 free-agent bonanza, this shapes up as a potentially busy trading season. As the Feb. 19 deadline approaches, let's take a look at the NBA's buyers, sellers and window shoppers.
�� Team payroll: $68 million
�� Potential trade assets: G Mike Bibby, C Zaza Pachulia
�� Outlook: League sources say Atlanta has zero interest in trading Bibby, who is in the final year of his contract. While the Hawks are hoping to build on last season's strong first-round playoff performance against Boston, general manager Rick Sund is using this year to evaluate talent and determine which players are in the team's long-term future. Factor in a pending court battle over co-owner Steve Belkin's 30 percent stake in the team and the fact that the Atlanta Spirit Group (which owns both the Hawks and the Atlanta Thrashers) reportedly lost more than $50 million in the last two years, and it's highly unlikely Atlanta will be buyers.
�� Team payroll: $80.8 million
�� Potential trade assets: F Brian Scalabrine, G J.R. Giddens, G Eddie House
�� Outlook: The Celtics continue to explore deals for shooters (a trade for Orlando's J.J. Redick was discussed) and are hoping Oklahoma City buys out veteran forward Joe Smith, whom Boston would have to persuade not to sign with Cleveland or another contender. The Celtics' best route to improve is free agency -- Stephon Marbury would become available if he agrees to a buyout with the Knicks -- because with most of their payroll tied up in the Big Three, they lack trade chips. Scalabrine and House have limited value beyond their soon-to-be-expiring contracts.
�� Team payroll: $62 million
�� Potential trade assets: G Raymond Felton, F Adam Morrison
�� Outlook: You can never rule out anything because Larry Brown tends to want to trade all of his players at one time or another, but the Bobcats probably are done dealing after already making two moves for three contributors ( Boris Diaw, Raja Bell and DeSagana Diop). Felton will become a restricted free agent after the season, but he's been a big part of Charlotte's improved play in the new year (14.1 points, 7.2 assists in January).
�� Team payroll: $71 million
�� Potential trade assets: G Ben Gordon, F Joakim Noah, F Drew Gooden, F Tyrus Thomas, G Larry Hughes
�� Outlook: Word around the league is that the Bulls are open for business. Hughes, who was placed on the inactive list Wednesday after 10 consecutive DNP-CDs, has been openly shopped. Gordon, an unrestricted free agent after the season, can't be traded without his consent. Gooden is attractive to teams because of his $7.2 million expiring contract.
�� Team payroll: $90.3 million
�� Potential trade assets: F Wally Szczerbiak, F Ben Wallace, G Daniel Gibson
�� Outlook: It's likely Cleveland will deal Szczerbiak's $13 million expiring contract. One team to keep an eye on: the Clippers. The Cavs covet center Marcus Camby, who would bring defense and athleticism to both the center and power forward positions. The last-place Clippers could be inclined to move Camby, who is owed $7.7 million next season.
�� Team payroll: $94.3 million
�� Potential trade assets: F Josh Howard, G Jason Kidd, G Jerry Stackhouse
�� Outlook: Owner Mark Cuban has raved about Kidd's impact and insists Howard isn't going anywhere. The Mavs and Kings have reportedly discussed a trade that would send Stackhouse to Sacramento for point guard Beno Udrih. That deal makes sense for both sides. The Kings, who are trying to clear cap space, could buy out Stackhouse for $2 million next season. Dallas would pick up some insurance in Udrih in case Kidd doesn't return next season.
�� Team payroll: $69.7 million
�� Potential trade assets: G J.R. Smith, F Linas Kleiza
�� Outlook: The Nuggets need a backup big man if they hope to make a deep postseason run (they are still kicking themselves over allowing Antonio McDyess to get away through a buyout). New York's David Lee was their No. 1 target earlier in the season, but his rapid development has made him virtually untouchable. Kleiza and Smith have value; they are both young, skilled and still developing.
�� Team payroll: $72.8 million
�� Potential trade assets: F Rasheed Wallace, G Allen Iverson
�� Outlook: A number of teams would love to get their hands on the expiring contracts of Wallace and Iverson, but deals are long shots given president Joe Dumars' commitment to reshaping the roster over the next two seasons. The Pistons are likely to tough it out with the current roster, which when healthy is still strong enough to win a playoff series.
�� Team payroll: $67.5 million
�� Potential trade assets: F Anthony Randolph, G Monta Ellis
�� Outlook: If you don't think the Warriors are a mess, just take a look at their books. Golden State is already committed to $41 million in salaries in the 2012-2013 season with just four players under contract: Ellis, Andris Biedrins, Corey Maggetteand Stephen Jackson. The Warriors would love to unload Maggette, but his long-term contract and disdain for passing have teams hanging up the phone. Randolph, a rookie forward who impressed in the summer league, has been in coach Don Nelson's doghouse.