A lot of smoke is swirling above the Cleveland Cavaliers as the NBA's trade deadline approaches. Thing is, nobody has found the fire. Not yet at least.

Yes, the Cavs have investigated several trade possibilities -- including with the Phoenix Suns -- but it's standard operating procedure for general manager Danny Ferry and his front office cohorts at this time of the season.

The Cavs enjoy being in the middle of these discussions. It does not guarantee a trade is coming, though.

The Cavs entered the All-Star break on a 13-game winning streak and with the best record in the league (43-11). LeBron James averaged 30.8 points and 10 assists in the streak, and made some plain statements about a deadline deal.

"I've never said we needed one,'' James said. "I think our team is built to win a championship."

The Cavs' front office does not necessarily disagree. So it feels no need to trade. But it does feel the need to see what trades might be available. Thus came the rumors about the acquisition of Amar'e Stoudemire from Phoenix. The Cavs did talk with the Suns -- Ferry is close with his counterpart in Phoenix, Steve Kerr -- but they've also talked with other teams.

Ferry is not afraid to make a move. He acquired Shaquille O'Neal this past offseason, and two years ago he transformed the roster when he traded for Ben Wallace, Wally Szczerbiak, Joe Smith and Delonte West minutes before the deadline. A couple years back he also made a run at Kevin Garnett before Garnett was sent to Boston.

But he's also not afraid not to make a trade, which happened last year when he did not make a deal for O'Neal at the deadline. That trade waited, and now the Cavs have integrated O'Neal better than most thought possible. Shaq has accepted a reduced role, calling himself "a big-time role player," and the Cavs are winning.

"I love our team," James said.

He also loves the thought of winning a championship, and the Cavs have to operate within the prism of James' upcoming free agency. Do the Cavs need to win this season to increase the chances of James staying, or do they need to add another superstar for the long-term to keep him? Only James knows for sure, and he's been evasive about his future -- though he did take time during a timeout in the win over Orlando to slap hands with team owner Dan Gilbert in his front-row seat.

Making a trade could upset chemistry the team developed heading into the break. The Lakers acquired Pau Gasol two years ago at the deadline, but they didn't win the championship that season. It took LA another season to win the championship. James' looming free agency puts the onus to win on this season, not next.

If it happened, acquiring Stoudemire would complete a plan the team has had working for two years. The Cavs always intended to have enough salary cap space to add another standout and re-sign James in the summer of 2010.

Acquiring Stoudemire now would put them ahead of that curve.

Stoudemire would give the Cavs another greyhound to run the floor with James. The two could form one of the league's most dangerous pick-and-roll combination. Stoudemire would have to improve defensively, and would again have to adjust to playing in the same lineup as O'Neal. The reigning MVP would be the hinge. James might be the best passer in the league (apologies to Steve Nash and Chris Paul), and a frontcourt of James-Stoudemire-O'Neal carries plenty of impact. If any one player can bring a group together in a hurry, it's James -- because of that passing ability.

But two teams have to be willing to make a trade, and the Suns would be essentially trading a proven All-Star for an unproven but improving talent in J.J. Hickson (Zyrdunas Ilgauskas is rumored to be involved in the deal, but it's believed he'd be bought out of his contract).

"You can't give away a player like that (Stoudemire), unless you get something great back," Suns guard Steve Nash said at the All-Star Game.

Stoudemire rumors have been floated for the past year, and they'll continue to float.

The Cavs will continue to fuel the rumor mill by making calls about trades. It's simply what they do.

Source: Pat McManamon, FanHouse