The post-trade deadline window is slowly coming down on the teams jockeying for playoff position to sign players receiving buyout contracts, and the intensity is gaining steam.

This can be a frustrating time of year for the mediocre teams, because it only allows the rich to get richer. And we're talking about the players and the best teams gaining more talent for a cut rate.

We don't like it one bit ... allowing the players to moan, groan and finagle their way out of a contract ... and get paid! Yikes. Nonetheless we're here to figure out who has the most to gain by Saturday's deadline. Anyone signed after that would not be eligible for the playoffs.

It began with the Spurs getting sweet-shooting little guard Damon Stoudamire, bought out and released by the Grizzlies, on Feb. 3 and it has gained steam from there. In this case, it made sense for the Grizzlies considering they have three other point guards.

The Nets rid themselves of center Jamaal Magloire for a price last week, and the Mavericks picked him up for some much-needed depth in the wake of losing DeSagana Diop in the big Jason Kidd trade. Magloire was essentially a ghost with the Nets, so it was hardly much of a loss with the young big bodies they have, but the Mavs figure there's still some juice left in this lemon.

Wednesday, the Celtics confirmed they had signed P.J. Brown, who did not necessitate a buyout, however, since he retired after playing 20 minutes a game for the Bulls last season. A stout defender and rebounder, the 38-year-old Brown is in his 15th season.

The Pistons, who waived guard Flip Murray to open up a roster spot for a big man, were foiled in their desire for Magloire, and perhaps Brown to a lesser extent. Now it appears they'll turn their sights on the dormant Dale Davis, who played 37 games for them last year and would be in his 17th season.

The Hornets are holding out hope that Chris Andersen, banned for violating the substance abuse policy two years ago, will get reinstated over the next 48 hours, so they can sign him. A dynamic figure of raw energy who blocks shots and rebounds as a way of life on the court, Andersen would be a huge difference-maker for their lean bench. This is a long-shot.

That leaves three players of interest left - Brent Barry, who was already bought out and waived by Sonics after he, Francisco Elson and a first round draft choice were sent to Seattle by the Spurs for Kurt Thomas; Sam Cassell, still hoping for a reasonable buyout from the Clippers; and Gordan Giricek, on the verge of a striking a deal to be released by the Sixers.

Barry had considered the Celtics, Rockets, Suns and a return to the Spurs -- and a couple of other destinations on the NBA map -- but has reportedly narrowed it to the Suns and Spurs, where he has earned a couple of championship rings and presently lives with his wife and two boys. However, the Suns' open-court style better suits him and he can't play for the Spurs until March 21 -- the first day a player dealt by a team is allowed to return. So he is stuck in a quandary between allegiance and opportunity for change. Then again, he's been plagued by a bum left calf the past couple of months and at 36, he's a bit of a gamble for this season. Nonetheless, he is still a great 3-point shooter and exceptional passer.

Should he pass on the Suns and stay put with the Spurs, Phoenix turns its fickle love interest to Giricek, whose most notable contribution this season has been being dealt by the Jazz to Philly with a No. 1 draft choice for Kyle Korver. Since then, Korver has helped the Jazz to a 21-5 burst and they have secured a hold on the Northwest Division lead. Sure, Giricek can shoot the rock, but he also comes with no hops and plenty of whine.

That brings us to Cassell, who led the Clippers to the conference semifinals two years ago. The Celtics and Nuggets badly want his services at point guard for the stretch run. The problem is the Clippers appear amenable to letting him go, but not playing him close to the $2.1 million left on his contract for this season. In fact, they reportedly don't want to pay him anything.

Quite frankly, why should they? That's not to pick on Cassell and who would ever have believed that beleaguered Clippers owner Donald Sterling would set a good precedent for the NBA? And this would be a great one. Cassell is the one who wants out. They're not getting any value in return. So if he's not playing for them anymore, why should he get paid?

Consequently, if Cassell decides to bolt for nothing, the Celtics or the Nuggets would stand to gain the most, and he would stand to lose the most financially. Isn't that just lovely irony?