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If you didn't know better, you'd think this season's moves, including some with Kobe Bryant, are Phil Jackson's way of messing with everyone to keep things interesting until the games truly matter, writes NBA Expert Ira Winderman.

Q: The Celtics are rolling right now. Do you think Danny Ainge has one more card up his sleeve to bring in a seasoned veteran (a P.J. Brown type) as backup?
— Leo Yarbrough, Akron, Ohio

A: I think the real issue is whether a championship-starved veteran has something up his sleeve to make a push to be added to the Celtics roster in time to be playoff eligible.

Plenty of veterans exited last season envious of Brown, who did not sign until Feb. 27, played only 18 regular-season games and then exited with a championship ring.

Figure on several veterans, either those out of the league or those stuck in go-nowhere situations, sending out feelers about potential Celtics interest (although we can't quite envision Antoine Walker III).

As far as a proactive approach, the Celtics certainly would welcome the addition of another 3-point threat and defensive stopper, a replacement for James Posey, if you will.

For all the efforts the Celtics have made with Tony Allen, he does not seem anything close to a playoff-rotation answer.

Then there is the situation at point guard. Is Sam Cassell truly being saved for the playoffs? Or is he truly not good enough any more for such a significant assignment with such a significant contender?

Don't be surprised if someone else's Sam Cassell becomes this season's Sam Cassell for the Celtics.

Sitting idly by never has been Danny Ainge's way, and the hunch is it won't be his way this season, either. Figure on some sort of move, whether it's proactive by Ainge, or whether it’s a veteran showing up at his doorstep with an offer too good to refuse.

Q: The Toronto Raptors have been exposed as a jump-shooting team with a weak supporting cast around Chris Bosh. What do you think should be done to make them better?
—  Jack, Toronto.

A: Um, anything close to an athletic shooting guard or small forward would be a good place to start, which is way there has been plenty of speculation about the likes of Sacramento's John Salmons.

At this point, it seemingly is going to take a blockbuster to make things right.

When you get down to it, it is remarkable that Toronto entered the season in such significant regard considering it carried a rotation at small forward and shooting guard of Anthony Parker, Andrea Bargnani, Jamario Moon, Jason Kapono, Joey Graham and Hassan Adams.

Think about that: At the positions that feature the greatest abundance of talent in the NBA, the Raptors have precious little.

Of course, the thought was that with a power rotation of Jermaine O'Neal and Chris Bosh, there would not be much needed from the perimeter. Until, that is, O'Neal again showed that his durability remains an issue.

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What the Raptors need to do is blow this thing up, in a hurry, and try to get enough pieces in place by July 2010 that Bosh won't be tempted to simply walk as a free agent.

The standings no longer should be what matter most to the Raptors. The Summer of '10 should be.

Q: The Thunder is terrible this year, but many of the games it has lost have been very close. What are the odds that these games start to swing the Thunder’s way next season as they grow together?
—  Kyle, Norman, Okla.

A: Pretty good, if the right coach is in place.

With no disrespect to Scott Brooks, who certainly has paid his sideline dues, what the Thunder needs is a veteran, respected sideline presence to help pull things together, perhaps something along the lines of what the Grizzlies did with Hubie Brown. (Then again, Hubie's available, isn't he?)

Beyond that, there will be the natural growth of Kevin Durant, Jeff Green and Russell Westbrook, especially with Durant now back to playing his natural spot at forward.

Sam Presti is plenty smart and figures to put the Thunder on the right track. The power rotation, though, remains an issue, although the move toward Nenad Krstic appears to be a move in the right direction.

What Oklahoma City can't do is continue to reach in drafts for good-but-not-good-enough centers. Unless Oklahoma City — the city itself — can prove to be a free-agent lure, the Thunder likely will have to address that shortcoming in a trade, with the Krstic move just a start.

Of course, the West being the West, don't expect playoff tickets to be printed any time soon.

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