MIAMI - Last season, a pair of trades shifted the balance of power in both conferences. The Nets ran all the way to the NBA Finals after acquiring Jason Kidd from Phoenix for Stephon Marbury, and the Sacramento Kings were, for all intents and purposes, a Robert Horry three-pointer away from taking the Western Conference title thanks in large part to the addition of Mike Bibby in a trade with Memphis.

This summer, the Eastern Conference elites apparently didn't feel safe at the top, making moves to solidify their spots, while a couple of also-rans are attempting to mix in elite company.

New Jersey saw how the winners lived last season and apparently wants a permanent residence there. By trading Keith Van Horn and Todd Macculloch for Dikembe Mutombo and signing forward Rodney Rogers, the moves not only made the Nets a heavy favorite in the East, but also gave them a chance to compete in the Finals, should they manage a second straight appearance.

``I think we can win 60 games if we stay healthy,'' Kidd said.

Detroit followed a surprise Central Division title with an even more shocking offseason trade. Jerry Stackhouse, the Pistons' leading scorer last season, was shipped to Washington for Richard Hamilton. While some questioned the Pistons' financially motivated trade, Detroit might be better.

Hamilton is a better shooter than Stackhouse and doesn't need to create for himself to score. As a result, the Pistons offense flows smoother, while the defense is not affected because of Defensive Player of the Year Ben Wallace.

Boston made the most questionable move of the East's top three, sending Kenny Anderson to Seattle for Vin Baker. The former Bucks All-Star and Sonics forward probably won't be much of a presence in Boston either, with Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker dominating the ball.

One overlooked part of that trade, though, was Boston's acquisition of Shammond Williams. The point guard's shooting is making many forget about Anderson and his limited range.

``I don't want him to be a set-up guy if he's a great shooter,'' Boston coach Jim O'Brien said of Williams. ``I want him to shoot.''

The Hawks were so confident the addition of Glenn Robinson (acquired from Milwaukee for Toni Kukoc) will make them a playoff team, they promised season-ticket holders a partial refund if they don't make it. The Wizards roster is also revamped, with Stackhouse, Larry Hughes and Bryon Russell joining Michael Jordan. Those personnel moves can only result in a playoff berth if Jordan's knees hold up.

The biggest Eastern Conference losers this offseason were the Knicks and Cavaliers. New York thought it had a quality post player in Antonio McDyess, but discoverd his injury history was no fluke. McDyess is gone for the season with a fractured kneecap. Cleveland, meanwhile, traded away its best player, Andre Miller, because he would command a high salary next offseason as a free agent. In return, the Cavaliers received Darius Miles, who's young and talented but far from a franchise player.

In the Western Conference, though, the Clippers are hoping to benefit from Cleveland's poor decision. With Miller added to a lineup that includes Lamar Odom, Michael Olowokandi, Quentin Richardson and All-Star Elton Brand, the Clippers might join their Los Angeles counterpart in the playoffs.

There were no other true blockbuster deals out west, but a few minor acquisitions could prove significant.

In Sacramento, the signing of Keon Clark makes the Kings' front line deep as well as talented. Clark, who could team with either Chris Webber or Scot Pollard to create difficult matchups, is the perfect change of pace from Vlade Divac.

Portland's signing of Jeff McInnis and the acquisition of Antonio Daniels makes a crowded backcourt, but when was the last time Portland made a sensible personnel decision? McInnis does offer the Trail Blazers a bigger option than Damon Stoudamire, but he's not enough of a difference-maker to give the team a legitimate chance to beat the Kings, Lakers, Spurs or Mavericks.

MAKE OR BREAK

Van Horn was traded from New Jersey because he never lived up to expectations. The ``disappointment'' label has already stuck with the new Philadelphia 76er.

There are a handful of players who need a breakthrough year to avoid the same tag.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas can be a dominant center in the league if his feet can hold up. He has not had a healthy season since he entered the league.

If Cleveland can keep its center on the floor, the team will not be a complete disaster. But If Ilgauskas spends more time on the injured list, it might be time to call him a bust.

Kwame Brown has had one year in the league, but No. 1 picks aren't given much leeway.

Brown barely saw playing time last season after Wizards coach Doug Collins was frustrated by Brown's tendency to play smaller than his size.

Should Brown fail to develop this season, look for the Wizards to dangle him as trade bait.

Wizards teammate Larry Hughes will be the starting point guard. And while he won't be asked to do too much, because his teammates include Jordan and Stackhouse, Hughes will have to find a niche.

Hughes left college after his freshman year at St. Louis and has yet to develop into a productive shooting guard or effective point guard. If he can't succeed beside Jordan, then there really is no hope for him.

Rashard Lewis got the money he was looking for this offseason, and gets to stay in Seattle. But he has to prove he's worth it and not just a complement to Gary Payton.

ROOKIES TO WATCH:

Many prognosticators predicted the Heat would draft Indiana's Jared Jeffries at No. 10 this past June.

Instead, Caron Butler dropped into the Heat's lap, leaving Jeffries to the Wizards. With Washington, Jeffries is not under as much pressure to produce, which should help his adjustment into the league.

``He's a coach's dream,'' Collins said. ``In terms of how hard he works - and he's got a lot of talent. He's getting better every day, and I think it's fun as a young player when you see and feel yourself getting better. You can't wait to get out on the practice court.''

Jeffries said he's ready to contribute right now.

``That's one of the reasons I came out of college early,'' he said. ``I knew basketball.''

Argentine guard Emanuel Ginobili is the kind of perimeter player the Spurs have been seeking - younger than Steve Smith and a much better shooter than Bruce Bowen.

Don't be surprised to find him as an All-Rookie selection at year's end.