The Western Conference had the first team to draw blood in the trade sweepstakes as we get closer and closer to the NBA trade deadline on February 18^th. The Dallas Mavericks made the deal with the Washington Wizards to bring Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood to Texas while sending Josh Howard and Drew Gooden to the nation’s capital, but this trade looks like it was just the beginning of a very active trading session which will most likely be dominated by teams in the Eastern Conference. These trades may have a big impact on the upcoming USA online sportsbooks action.

Miami Heat

With a win on Tuesday night over the Philadelphia 76ers, the Miami Heat were finally able to get back to .500, but they are nowhere near satisfied as they seem to have their sights set on upgrading their roster with the likes of Amare Stoudemire.

The Heat will have some stiff competition with the trade deadline looming as the Cleveland Cavaliers also their sights set on Stoudemire, but Dwyane Wade’s squad might have the advantage with Jermaine O’Neal’s expiring contract and youngster Michael Beasley.

Trade bait: Jermaine O’Neal, Michael Beasley

Cleveland Cavaliers

This season the Cleveland Cavaliers are in somewhat of a desperation mode as they try and do everything they can to convince LeBron James to stay in Cleveland for as long as possible. The only way they can see LeBron staying with the Cavs is if they can surround him with some better talent, namely Amare Stoudemire.

Along with wanting to bring in Stoudemire, the Cavs are also interested in Troy Murphy, Antawn Jamison, Corey Maggette and Andre Igoudala as a backup plan.

Trade bait: J.J. Hickson, Zydrunas Ilgauskas

Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics have been pretty banged up this season with injuries to everyone of the big three (Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce), but despite their injury problems they have played well this season and still have a legitimate shot of contending for a title in the Eastern Conference. Check out the latest NBA odds at the worlds best online sportsbooks.

Even though the Celtics are still looking good right now, they can’t avoid the trade rumors involving Glen “Big Baby” Davis and Ray Allen.

It is unlikely that Boston will make a deal, but if they do, it will almost certainly one or both of these players.

Trade bait: Ray Allen, Glen “Big Baby” Davis

Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls have had their fair share of problems this season and haven’t really been the promising young team we all saw take the Boston Celtics to the limit in the first round of the playoffs last season.

With that being said and the Bulls have been considering making a trade before the trade deadline in an effort to make a late push for the playoffs in the second half of the season and possibly clear some cap space of the upcoming free agent market this summer.

If the Bulls do make a deal, it will most likely include Tyrus Thomas as the center piece.

Trade bait: Tyrus Thomas, Kirk Hinrich, John Salmons, Brad Miller

Other teams in the East in trade market: Detroit Pistons, Philadelphia 76ers, Milwaukee Bucks, Indiana Pacers