The NBA trade carousel finally came to a halt Thursday, but not before the Cleveland Cavaliers closed a deal to bring legitimate frontline help for LeBron James. The Cavs added Ben Wallace, Joe Smith, Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West, while sending Larry Hughes, Drew Gooden, Cedric Simmons and Shannon Brown to the Bulls, and Ira Newble and Donyell Marshall to Seattle. Additionally, Cleveland also acquired Chicago’s second round pick in the 2009 draft. General manager Danny Ferry finally pulled the trigger, a rare occurrence in Cleveland for the past few years, because, as he told The AP, “I didn’t think we were good enough to win the championship. I thought we had a very good team. But I do believe if we have a chance to make ourselves better we should try.”

The three team deal, completed with a whole minute to spare before the trading deadline, also saw Seattle pick up Adrian Griffin from Chicago. If for no other reason than the number of players involved, it has become one of the most analyzed trades of the season.

Ferry created salary cap space in trading Hughes and the others. In giving up three starters, though, Cleveland acquired the rebounding and scoring needed in the playoffs, and have created a team that will not allow opposing defenses to sag on James. While Wallace and Smith are each in their 30s, both are solid veteran leaders, and both have plenty of playoff experience.

“Ben Wallace is tough,” Ferry said. “He’ll bring … toughness, a presence to what we are doing.”

The Bulls, in receiving Larry Hughes, have added a legitimate player in the #2 spot and created more playing time for their young roster. Seattle, out of contention in the Western Conference, was able to save some salary (over $8 million for the next two seasons) dollars as they continue in their rebuilding process. Combined with earlier trades, the Sonics now own thirteen picks over the next three drafts, and the salary space to acquire a free agent or two.

The big winner, though, was LeBron James and Cavalier fans. Larry Hughes had become a $12 million distraction, while the replacements form the nucleus of a squad that now might have a chance to keep James when he becomes a free agent in 2010. The deal has an immediate benefit for the Cavaliers, but may be even more important two years from now.

Bill Johnson is a staff member of the Business of Sports Network