Los Angeles  - The NBA trade deadline expired Thursday afternoon, and the tradewinds of superstars rumoured to be changing addresses turned out to be nothing but hot air.

Shaquille O'Neal and fellow-Phoenix Suns all star Amare Stoudemire were rumoured to be leaving the desert.

High-flying Vince Carter of the New Jersey Nets, the Washington Wizards' Antawn Jamison and Chris Bosh of the Toronto Raptors were also shopped, but talks proved fleeting.

A deal that would have had O'Neal play alongside LeBron James for the Cleveland Cavaliers died. It would have send a message to let the Boston Celtics know they are serious contenders to knock off their NBA crown.

Another deal-that-wasn't had the 37-year-old O'Neal heading to the Portland Trail Blazers, but the "Big Cactus" and his even bigger contract will remain in the Valley of the Sun.

Insiders had Stoudemire as the most likely to be dealt to a number of teams, including the Detroit Pistons or the Chicago Bulls.

However, with the re-emergence of Suns' high-octane offence under new interim head coach Alvin Gentry, everyone is upbeat again and excited about the prospects for the second half of the season.

The Nets reportedly dangled Carter and his big contract to the Dallas Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs, while Jamison was rumoured to be joining the Cavaliers. Nothing came out of those talks, either.

In an usually light day, there were several 11th hour dealings, though.

The Orlando Magic acquired Rafer Alston from the Houston Rockets in a three-team deal that also includes the Memphis Grizzlies, according to the Orlando Sentinel. The deal was expected to be announced later Thursday after receiving formal league approval.

In the trade, the Grizzlies sent guard Kyle Lowry to Houston and would receive a first-round draft pick from Orlando. The Rockets, meanwhile, receive backups Brian Cook, Adonal Foyle and Mike Wilkes.

In Alston, the Magic receive an 11-year veteran, who is expected to fill in for Jameer Nelson, after the all-star point guard suffered a shoulder injury two weeks ago. Alston is averaging 11.5 points and 5.4 assists this season.

Lowry was averaging 7.6 points and 3.6 assists and became available when Mike Conley emerged as the Grizzlies' starting point guard. Cook has averaged just 3 points and 1.3 boards in limited playing time for the Magic.

Elsewhere, the Chicago Bulls made their second big trade in as many days, dealing guard Larry Hughes to the New York Knicks in exchange for Tim Thomas and Jerome James, the New York Post reported.

On Tuesday, the Bulls shipped Argentine forward Andreas Nocioni and Drew Gooden to the Sacramento Kings for centre Brad Miller and small forward John Salmons.

Hughes fell out of favour with Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro and has not played since January 12. He could provide scoring punch at the shooting guard spot, something the Knicks haven't had since trading Jamal Crawford to Golden State.

The Knicks also acquired Chris Wilcox from the Oklahoma City Thunder for Malik Rose in a swap of reserve power forwards.

Wilcox and Joe Smith were originally sent to New Orleans on Monday for centre Tyson Chandler. However, the deal was voided when Chandler failed to pass his physical.

The Minnesota Timberwolves, looking to fill the centre void created when Al Jefferson was lost for the season with a torn knee ligament, acquired Shelden Williams along with Bobby Brown from the Sacramento Kings.

In exchange the Kings received Rashad McCants and seldom-used Calvin Booth - and their expiring contracts.

Williams was the fifth overall pick in 2006 by Atlanta but has been a disappointment, averaging just 3.7 points and 2.6 rebounds for the Kings.

McCants, the 14th overall pick in 2005, is averaging 9.1 points per game but has been used sparingly recently.

The Boston Celtics beefed up their bench by sending little-used centre Patrick O'Bryant to the Toronto Raptors for point guard Will Solomon.

Solomon averaged 5 points and 3.2 assists as a backup to Spaniard Jose Calderon and is expected to fill the same need, giving Rajon Rondo an occasional breather.

As a third-string center, the 7-foot O'Bryant has played sparingly, averaging 1.5 points and 1.3 rebounds in four minutes per game. (dpa)