Moments before Drew Gooden was told he was heading to the Wizards.

With the NBA trade deadline looming and the momentum seemingly trending toward a few more before February 19th, here’s some interesting basketball links regarding upcoming trades and 2010 free agents.

• Funny that the Rockets wouldn’t want John Salmons or Kirk Hinrich’s contracts when the Bulls don’t really care for them either. Sounds like we’ll hear if the Bulls or Knicks get T-Mac’s expiring contract. (Trib)
• Knicks fans are cautiously optimistic about any such trade since in order to be truly successful, they’ll need to sign at least one of the coveted top 3 free agents. (Knickerblogger)
• Looks like the Bulls may have offered Luol Deng and Ty Thomas for Al Jefferson of the T-Wolves. (ESPN)
• Lebron James and Dwyane Wade sure looked good together during the All-Star Game. Let’s hope for the sake of the league that those two don’t get together. (True Hoop)
• Chris Bosh might be the best bet to come to the Bulls out of the Big 3, but Matt McHale doesn’t want you to get your hopes up. (Bulls by the Horns)
• Phoenix fans may need to begin talking themselves into J.J. Hickson for Amare Stoudamire. (Docksquad Sports)
• Andrew Bogut is not leaving the Bucks, but I kind of wish more players did this. Great idea from the Aussie. (NY Times)

Martin Havlat scored a great game winner in overtime last night as the Blackhawks beat the Ducks 3-2.  After scoring two in the first and giving up two in the second, a scoreless third led to the extra period, where Havlat made a steal and held off a Ducks defender to score the winner.

Troy Brouwer scored first just over a minute into the game and Andrew Ladd finished up a pretty passing sequence with a goal from Havlat and Dave Bolland later in the first.  Cristobal Huet was back in net and was great aside from a stretch of about two minutes in the second.  Huet let in the first goal after he gave the puck away behind the net, and the second on a scramble where he looked like he walked into a spiderweb.  Huet came back with some great saves in the third to keep the game tied up though, and stopped 26 of 28 shots for the game.

The win was great, but it’s the trade deadline that is on fans’ minds today.  One guy that might have been moving if the Hawks weren’t having success is Havlat, but they can’t afford to give him up now and are actually working on an extension.  This is huge, because Havlat was pretty much a flop with that contract he got to come to Chicago.  This season, Havlat has taken a more active role defensively and seems to be more of the old Marty.

The main thing the Hawks seem to be out to get is a center.  With a ton of young players to move (not those young players) there is virtually no one on the market that is untouchable.  To me, the most important thing the Hawks need is some experience.  A tough, experienced center would be ideal.

A few guys to keep an eye out for are Nik Antropov, Dominic Moore, Keith Tkachuk, and Olli Jokinen.  Antropov and Moore are both with the Maple Leafs and both could move today.  I think Antropov is a better fit as the Hawks could really use the size.  Tkachuk probably stays in St. Louis from what I’ve read; maybe that’s because he’ll just end up back there again anyway.  Jokinen is a very intriguing idea for the Blackhawks, as he has good size and is a great passer.  That one could come down to how desperate Phoenix is to get young and how much the Hawks are willing to give up to get him.

It’s possible that Chicago tries to add that experience on the blue line instead of up front though.  There are plenty of guys here that fit the needs of the Blackhawks.  They simply want playoff experience, toughness, and leadership.

The deadline is at 3:00 PM eastern and we’ll let you know if the Hawks pull anything off.

• I know what you’re thinking, “I need a sweet, borderline inappropriate, yet hilarious t-shirt.”  Well you’re in luck.  Scroll down about an 1/8 of the page over at the Dong and look on the right. [Luol's Dong]
• The trade deadline is an interesting phenomenon, here’s a look at the history behind it. [Hardwood Paroxysm]
• What’s the difference between the Cover 2 and the Tampa 2?  What is the Cover 2 anyways?  Here’s an explanation. [Windy City Gridiron]
• So now Soriano is going to bat leadoff again?  I thought we went over this. [Sun-Times]
• It looks like Paxson isn’t going anywhere, at least according to him. [Tribune]
• What’s the story with all the construction at Wrigley Field?  Whatever it is, I hope concrete doesn’t fall on anyone this year.  Just saying. [Bleed Cubbie Blue]
• It was a busy trading season for the Bulls, and as Sam Smith points out, they now lead the league in Thomases. [Bulls Blog]
• Charles Barkley is back calling games for TNT.  Barkley: “I thought I did well on the sobriety test. But clearly not good enough.”  [TrueHoop]
• Don’t know what a Tootblan is?  Ryan Theriot will show you soon enough, but don’t forget to buy your t-shirt. [Wrigleyville23]
• The Blackhawks are opening the season in Finland next year.  I’m not going to lie, I didn’t read this article so I have no idea why or when this would even happen.  Maybe you’ll care. [Sun-Times]

• ESPN will launch a new site specifically for Chicago sports.  There goes the neighborhood! [Tribune]
• What are the fantasy implications of the Kings-Bulls trade?  Here’s some expert analysis from me: if you had Gooden, your team sucks! [Give Me The Rock]
• A source close to Chad Ford says that Chicago would be Chris Bosh’s first choice as a free agent in 2010.  The Bulls hope his sources are different than Mortensen’s.  Thanks to Bino for the tip. [ESPN Deadline Round-up]
• NQTC amigo Sharapova’s Thigh has joined us in ditching Blogger.  Viva la Revolucion! Check out their site. [Sharapova's Thigh]
• Wisconsin plans on making Brewers license plates.  Get one on your car and it will run great from April to mid-July! [Sun-Times]
• Huge fight at a high school basketball game in Alabama.  “Dale Jr. is way more betterer than Tony Stewart!!!”  Okay, maybe that’s not what started it.  [Sports Crackle Pop]
• D-Wade sues his estranged wife for talking shit defamation.  NBA refs have never heard of such a lawsuit and are considering a class action against Sheed. Maybe. [Sports By Brooks]
• Northwestern finally won a close game last night.  Freshman John Shurna hit the game winning three with three seconds to go.  Ha, Buckeyes! [ESPN]
• Tyson Chandler is heading back to the Hornets after he was not medically cleared by Oklahoma City.  Awkward! [ESPN]