Adding talent, top teams flex their muscles

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Magic acquires Carter from Nets

Vince Carter is going home to Florida and to the Eastern Conference champion Orlando Magic.

The New Jersey Nets dealt the eight-time NBA All-Star, a former North Carolina star who grew up in Daytona Beach and lives in Orlando, and forward Ryan Anderson to the Magic on Thursday for point guard Rafer Alston, shooting guard Courtney Lee and power forward Tony Battie.

The trade gives the Magic another star in a lineup that includes Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis. The deal also might convince Hedo Turkoglu, who can opt out of his contract and become a free agent on July 1, to remain with the Magic.

Eastern conference

Safely in the playoffs:

Cleveland Cavaliers: It all really comes down to keeping LeBron James happy, and that's about surrounding him with talent. They acquired Shaquille O'Neal without giving up anything of consequence. They're now that rare team with a wealth of big men.

Boston Celtics: The core group is aging, but they're still a viable championship contender, at least for this season. Kevin Garnett is healthy again and signing Rasheed Wallace was a coup. Quirky as Wallace can be, he's among the smartest, most versatile big men in the league.

Carter eager to fit in with Magic

Vince Carter isn't looking to replace Dwight Howard as the face of the Eastern Conference champion Orlando Magic.

Not even close. The recently acquired Carter just wants to fit with his new team and get the prize that has eluded him for a decade in the NBA - a championship ring.

"I think we have a wonderful team," Carter said of the Magic during a break at his basketball camp last week. "On paper it's pretty darn good. It's the preparation and work we put in, and not becoming complacent."

Western conference

Safely in the playoffs

Los Angeles Lakers: Adding Ron Artest and re-signing Lamar Odom gives this team so many choices. They can go huge on the front line ( Andrew Bynum , Pau Gasol and Odom) or small and quick with Artest at power forward and Kobe Bryant at small forward.

San Antonio Spurs: They're the Celtics West - an aging, talented team trying to extend its championship window. Adding Richard Jefferson and Antonio McDyess takes some pressure off the big three of Tim Duncan , Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili .

2009-10 San Antonio Spurs Preview

The Big Three of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili is still as imposing as ever when they are on the floor together but the supporting cast really lacked athleticism. In one fell swoop, San Antonio cured that in a three team deal that brought another All-Star caliber player to the Alamo City, forward Richard Jefferson.

The Spurs sent veteran defensive stopper Bruce Bowen and forward Kurt Thomas to the Bucks, and also dealt forward Fabricio Oberto to Detroit in the deal so they didn't give up much.

Jefferson, 29, averaged 19.6 points and 4.6 rebounds in 82 games for Milwaukee last season -- his first with the Bucks after they acquired him in a draft-day deal last year.