NBA stars move up to basketball heaven as rich get richer

Money does not always buy happiness or success in the NBA,but the right transaction can occasionally deliver a slice of nirvana.

On June 23,Richard Jefferson,a forward who averaged 19.6 points last season,was traded from Milwaukee to San Antonio for a package of nominal players. The Bucks decision was mostly financial they had to shed Jeffersons $14.2 million salary to avoid paying the luxury tax. The Spurs decision was purely competitive they needed Jeffersons talents to help win a championship.

When the accounting was complete,Jefferson found himself nestled in a lineup featuring Tim Duncan,Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. Basketball heaven, Jefferson said after practice last week.

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The deal symbolised a potentially troubling new trend for the NBA,which opens its season on Tuesday. This is the year the rich got richer as six elite teams added top talent:

The LA Lakers,just weeks after winning the championship,signed Ron Artest. The Orlando Magic acquired Vince Carter,a dynamic shooting guard,from the Nets. The Cleveland Cavaliers acquired Shaquille ONeal from Phoenix. The Boston Celtics signed Rasheed Wallace,who at 35 remains a superior defender and versatile scorer. Having obtained Jefferson,the Spurs then signed Antonio McDyess,Keith Bogans and Theo Ratliff,giving them a fantastically deep bench.

None of those teams gave up much. O’Neal,Carter and Jefferson were acquired for spare parts,from teams that were solely looking to cut payroll. Artest and Wallace signed below-market contracts. Team executives said they could not recall a summer quite like this. I don’t think it’s good, an Eastern Conference executive said. Theres no parity.

Is it a sign of things to come? A dangerous trend? Perhaps not. I think for a certain number of teams it’s going to be a flash in the pan, said Gregg Popovich,Spurs coach.

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In the meantime,Jefferson will enjoy his little slice of heaven.

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