The NBA's trading deadline is Feb. 21. And NBA general managers already are exchanging phone calls to strike the right deal.

The players in demand are those with shorter contracts (to help teams with cap space) and larger physiques (power forwards and centers). The teams itching to make moves are the ones underachieving, such as the Portland Trail Blazers, New York Knicks and Phoenix Suns.

But there are always clubs that like to wheel-and-deal regardless of the situation, particularly Mark Cuban's Mavericks. Here are some names that will be bandied about more than most as the deadline approaches.

Vin Baker, Sonics power forward: When the Sonics made the unusual announcement that they would try trading Vin Baker last summer, the interest was similar to that for a dot-bomb company. Now the power forward is having his best season since being an All-Star during 1997-98. And Baker's value has shot up, spurring calls to the Sonics from several Eastern Conference teams. Seattle must decide whether Baker's return as one of the best-shooting big men in the NBA is long-lasting or whether to unload the rest of his $87 million deal that expires in 2006.

Marc Jackson, Warriors center: The only reason the 6-foot-10 big man is with the Warriors is because they didn't want to lose him during the summer without gaining something back. The Rockets had signed Jackson ? as a restricted free agent ? to a six-year, $24 million contract in the offseason. But Golden State used its right of first refusal to match the deal. Under the collective-bargaining agreement, Golden State wasn't allowed to trade Jackson until Jan. 15. But a deal has become complicated because Jackson must give approval. He prefers three teams, all of which provide an opportunity for extensive minutes: Indiana, Memphis and Orlando. (The Rockets must wait one year from the date of signing him before Houston can re-acquire him.) Although a Jackson trade appears inevitable, Golden State is trying to get as much as possible.

Nick Van Exel, Nuggets guard: Van Exel is having his best year in the NBA while the Nuggets are in yet another putrid season. So the high-scoring guard has demanded a trade. It's become mutual because Denver intends to shake up the team beyond the resignation of Dan Issel, who had been Van Exel's biggest booster. But teams are leery of Van Exel's high-maintenance tendency, compounded by the $55 million left on a deal that doesn't expire until 2004. There are enough teams ? Portland, Miami and Golden State ? for a deal to occur.

Bonzi Wells, Blazers swingman: Why would the Blazers deal one of the best young talents in the NBA when the team is full of overpaid veterans? One reason is that by packaging Wells, the Blazers can entice a team to take one of their salary-cap-choking contracts. And there's the public-relations issue created when Wells bashed Portland fans in a national magazine. Wells can win back the fans by his stellar play, but the issue is likely to resurface any time Wells struggles. Wells earns just $2 million this season, so teams would love to trade for him. But Portland has one crucial contingency: Take one of its bloated salaries, whether the player is Shawn Kemp, Scottie Pippen or Damon Stoudamire.

Shammond Williams, Sonics guard: He can break down a defender before punctuating the play with a feathery touch. The 6-foot-1 guard possesses enough offensive skills to average 20 points. But for the past two seasons, Williams has mostly languished on the bench because of reasons ranging from basketball style to injuries. Williams is finally getting playing time after sitting behind rookie Earl Watson for most of the season. Is it a coincidence that the trading deadline is less than a month away? Whatever the case, teams can see Williams' talent first hand. And Seattle must decide if the combination guard is too good to unload. If Williams is dealt, it will almost certainly also involve another Sonic since Williams has a relatively small contract.

Other players whose names are being bandied about among GMs are Chicago's Ron Artest, Miami's Brian Grant, Indiana's Jalen Rose and Portland's Rasheed Wallace.