Rumors, moves, injuries and newsmakers...

Will Thursday's trade deadline be a boom or bust? The Spurs acquire Thomas from Seattle; Kidd suits up for the Mavs; Shaq makes his Suns debut; Artest has a big pre-deadline performance; State's Jackson sits out; and more...

SHOP TALK 
After months of rumors, speculation, and scuttlebutt, it all comes down to Thursday: the last day NBA teams can make trades for this season.

So who is going, and who is staying? Of course, no one knows for sure. Will it be a busier trade deadline day than usual, or even lighter than last season, when there were only three minor swaps? Again, no one knows. But what is certain is that there are still some impressive names out there, from Ron Artest to Vince Carter to Andre Miller. But are they really on the move, or has all the talk been, well, just talk?

With Wednesday's acquisition of Kurt Thomas, the Spurs showed that they're concerned about keeping up with all the big additions by other contenders. Will we see a domino effect on Thursday, or have all the biggest deals already been done?

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BULLS 
They're still struggling, but at least the Bulls appear to be getting healthy. On Wednesday night they got three key players back from the sidelines: Ben Gordon (wrist), Luol Deng (Achilles), and Ben Wallace (death in the family). Wallace started for Chicago Wednesday, while the other came off the bench. Their return wasn't quite enough to get Chicago a win, as they were downed 110-102 by the Nets.

KINGS 
Is Ron Artest going to be with a new team on Thursday? Tough to say, but if he is, then Wednesday's performance might have played a role. Artest posted an impressive 29 points, seven boards, three assists, three steals, and one block to lead the Kings to a 119-107 win over the Hawks. Artest may be the biggest name still being rumored in trade talk, because the Kings seem to be rebuilding, he reportedly wanted out of Sacto previously, and he may be a coveted player for some contenders

MAVERICKS 
It didn't take Jason Kidd long to get into his new role with the Mavs. Just one day after being traded from the Nets in a blockbuster trade, the veteran playmaker suited up for his new team. Kidd started and played 37 minutes Wednesday for the Mavs, posting eight points, five assists, six boards, and three steals in their 104-93 loss to the Hornets. Expect bigger numbers soon as he gets to know his teammates.

NETS 
With Jason Kidd gone, the new starting point guard for the Nets will be newly-acquired replacement Devin Harris. Yet with Harris out for up to another couple of weeks with an ankle injury, Jersey will likely let Marcus Williams run the show. And on Wednesday Williams reminded that he can be very capable in that role. The talented second-year point guard played 39 minutes against the Bulls and dropped 25 points and four assists on them to lead the Nets to a 110-102 win.

76ERS 
In a move that can only be seen as a bit of a surprise, the Sixers on Wednesday gave head coach Mo Cheeks a one-year contract extension. Surprising, because Cheeks doesn't have a winning record as a head coach since 2002-03 with the Trail Blazers. At 24-31 Cheeks looks likely to post his fifth consecutive losing campaign as a head coach, but new team prez Ed Stefanski obviously believes he has the stuff to get the Sixers back on track.

SPURS 
Obviously not content to just watch their West competitors improve, the Spurs have made a move in the trade market. On Wednesday the defending champs acquired veteran center Kurt Thomas from the Sonics in return for pivot Francisco Elson, combo guard Brent Barry, and a 2009 first-round draft pick. In all likelihood the gritty Thomas will take over as the team's starting center from the middling Fabricio Oberto.

SUNS 
So what should we expect from Shaquille O'Neal as a member of the Suns? Probably the same level of involvement and production as he was bringing in Miami. In his debut with Phoenix Wednesday night, Big Daddy played 29 minutes, scoring 15 points and adding nine boards and two blocks in the Suns' 130-124 loss to the Lakers. Of course, Shaq also committed five fouls, so maybe he will get the chance to break the 30-minute mark eventually.

SUPERSONICS 
In a not-so-surprising move, on Wednesday the Sonics traded away veteran center Kurt Thomas to the Spurs. Thomas had provided veteran leadership and strong pivot play for the Sonics this season, but with the team rebuilding, the 35-year-old center was obviously not part of their plans going forward. In return Seattle gets solid center Francisco Elson, former Sonic (and fan favorite) Brent Barry, and a 2009 first-round draft pick.

WARRIORS 
Golden State was without one of its veteran team leaders Wednesday night. Swingman Stephen Jackson suffered his first injury-related absence of the season as he sat out versus the Celtics with a sprained left ankle. Interestingly, little-used swingman Mickael Pietrus took Jackson's place in the starting five, adding to speculation that the team may have been showcasing him for a trade.

WIZARDS 
It's looking like Caron Butler may stay on the shelf for a few more games. The All-Star forward has been bothered by a left hip flexor strain for the past three weeks, and the Associated Press reports he re-aggravated the injury Tuesday. He has played in only two of the past 11 games for the Wiz, but head coach Eddie Jordan tells the AP he hopes Butler will be back soon. If the Wiz can get Butler and Gilbert Arenas back to full health by March, then look for the Wiz to start moving up the East standings down the stretch.