Frustrated by his team's third straight collapse in the Eastern Conference Finals, team president of basketball operations Joe Dumars declared shortly after the season there were no sacred cows on his roster -- except Rodney Stuckey -- and he would listen to all offers. He wanted another team's best player in return.

Ultimately, he found out that no one was willing to give up a superstar for two or three of his very good players. Even Rasheed Wallace's expiring $13 million contract wasn't enough to entice potential trade partners to pull the trigger.

The Kevin Garnett trade last season served as a deterrent to teams that might have considered moving their franchise player. On paper, Phoenix's Amare Stoudemire, Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki, Houston's Tracy McGrady and Denver's Carmelo Anthony were the most logical candidates for a blockbuster trade.

Phoenix and Dallas showed no inclination to move their top big men. The McGrady rumors got hot and heavy at one point but the Rockets wound up rolling the dice by adding Ron Artest to their lineup. The Nuggets turned down the Pistons' overtures -- believed to be a package of Chauncey Billups and Tayshaun Prince -- and instead cut their payroll by dealing center Marcus Camby.

It's still quite possible if the Pistons get off to a slow start, the groundwork laid by exploring these trade possibilities this summer will pay off. Wallace's contract will get more and more desirable to teams seeking salary-cap relief; If he doesn't get traded, the Pistons will give themselves a lot more options next offseason by shedding that contract.