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Just when everybody thought that this year's trade deadline would be world-rocking, things went the other way around. Big names like Amare Stoudemire, Vince Carter, Shaq, and other players stayed with their respective teams.

Global financial crisis is the said to be the main culprit for the inability of the teams to move these big names. All teams in the NBA are trying to avoid exceeding allowed team salary cap to avoid further financial damages (NBA luxury tax). It was very hard to shop for teams who are willing to snatch star players because these players are coupled with luxurious contracts.

The Chicago Bulls is on of the few teams that made some trades just before the deadline to beef-up their roster and clean-up their finances. The team acquired Brad Miller and John Salmons from the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Drew Gooden, Andres Nocioni, and Cedric Simmons. The Bulls also parted with injury-prone guard Larry Hughes who was sent to New York in exchange for Tim Thomas, Jerome James, and Anthony Robertson.

This trade gives the two teams some salary relief. Hughes makes $12.8 million this year; James and Thomas make $12.2 million combined.

Another interesting trade, or should I say a supposed trade was the between the Oklahoma Thunders and New Orleans Hornets. Hornets' center Tyson Chandler was headed to Oklahoma for Cris Wilcox and veteran Joe Smith. Still a financially-driven trade especially on the part of the Hornets. However, Oklahoma retracted from the trade after Tyson Chandler had his physical tests with the Thunders. The deal was then cancelled. Eventually, Oklahoma moved Cris Wilcox for Malik Rose of the New York Knicks. Chandler remains in New Orleans.

Days before the trade deadline, Jermaine O'neal and Jamarion Moon of the Toronto Raptors were traded to Miami for "The Matrix" Shawn Marion.

Trade round-up:

Rafer Alston to Orlando - Kyle Lowry, Bryan Cook to Houston
Cris Mihm to Memphis - Conditional draft pick to LA
Sam Cassell signed with Sacramento Kings

Sources: nba, espn