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Referee Bennett Salvatore gives Denver's J.R. Smith, right, a technical foul in the second half of Game 4 on Monday.

Q: Do you think it's time for the Wizards to do something bold like trade for the No. 1 overall pick and offer, say, Antawn Jamison and spare parts to the Clippers? I'm a Wizards fan and Jamison is a great guy, but defensively he's not what the Wizards need, and he's 34 years old.
— Israel Shamir, Alexandria, Va.

A: At this stage, it is difficult to fathom anyone taking on Jamison's contract, which calls for $11.6 million next season, $13.4 million the following season and then $15.1 million in 2011-12.

I agree that it is time for the Wizards to shake things up, but in a league saving for the 2010 offseason, Antawn's contract essentially is toxic.

Yes, Blake Griffin would have been a huge upgrade at power forward, providing the force the Wizards have lacked at the position with Jamison. But there is no way even the confused Clippers would take on Jamison's money, unless, of course, the Wizards would take on Zach Randolph's own poisonous contract.

For now, expect one more year of seeing if Jamison, Caron Butler, Gilbert Arenas and Brendan Haywood all can stay healthy. That approach likely also means dealing the No. 5 draft pick.

With Flip Saunders moving in as coach for Ed Tapscott, the Wizards already have made a significant upgrade. Now he has to find a way to make it work with Jamison.

Q: Vince Carter has a lot of talent, but I believe he needs to be on a great team to be energized. What do you think of the Cavaliers trying to pair him with LeBron James? Is it possible?
— Aasheet Kumar

A: While I'm not sure Carter is a Cavaliers answer, the result of the Eastern Conference finals will go a long way toward determining how dramatic Cleveland's overhaul becomes.

Keep in mind, the only way Carter even enters the equation is if Danny Ferry views him as the final piece. Carter not only earns $16.1 million next season, but has a deal that runs through 2010-11 at $18.3 million. In other words, it's either Carter or a shot at Chris Bosh or Dwyane Wade in 2010.

Further, if the Cavs were to make a move to Carter and it didn't work out, there is James' own 2010 free agency to worry about.

There is little doubt that the Nets would love to unload Carter's money, as the team continues to put the focus on Devin Harris. By the time the Nets reach Brooklyn, Vince will be less than half man and less than half amazing.

Ultimately, this will not be about what's best for Vince, but rather what's best for the Nets, even if it means the purgatory that is the Clippers for Carter.

Q: The Kings have become a dysfunctional mess. Is there any hope for them righting the ship?
— C.J. Nellist, Richmond, Va.

A: In the short term? No.

Any hope for a quick revival ended with the unfortunate turn of events at the NBA Draft lottery.

As much as anything, a top pick such as Blake Griffin or Ricky Rubio could have turned the Kings into an instant player on the personnel market, possibly to parlay such a selection into a later pick and a proven veteran.

Instead, Kevin Martin remains not only the team's best player, but arguably the team's only good player. Who else on this roster makes you a playoff threat? Andres Nocioni? The Bulls didn't seem to think so.

Like much of the rest of the league, hope for revival in Sacramento hinges on the hope of the 2010 free-agent market, when the Kings will have an estimated $21 million in cap space. Or it could come sooner, with Sacramento able to possibly clear $10 million this summer.

But this is Sacramento? Who exactly is knocking down the door to play alongside Beno Udrih?

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