While Eastern Conference rivals Boston and Indiana made deals to strengthen their size and depth, the Orlando Magic were content to stand pat Thursday as the NBA's trade deadline came and went.

Orlando general manager John Gabriel said he discussed a few deals with teams throughout the day Thursday, but nothing materialized. Orlando held talks with Denver about Raef LaFrentz and Nick Van Exel, but the negotiations never got serious. Denver then traded Van Exel, LaFrentz, Avery Johnson and Tariq Abdul-Wahad to Dallas for Juwan Howard, Tim Hardaway, Donnell Harvey, a first-round pick and $1 million.

Boston picked up more scoring by acquiring Tony Delk and Rodney Rogers from Phoenix. Indiana pulled off the biggest trade of all, getting Ron Mercer, Ron Artest and Brad Miller for Jalen Rose and Travis Best. Orlando entered Thursday's play three games back of Boston and 11/2 games ahead of Indiana.

"I really don't care what (other teams) do. I do think Boston helped itself, but I'm not so sure about Indiana," Magic coach Doc Rivers said. "We are who we are. And we're finally playing like we know who we are. We know how we have to play to win. We felt there was no need to make chances just because others did."

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When the Magic talked trade with other teams one of the names that came up most often was small forward Pat Garrity. Already one of the NBA's best 3-point shooters, Garrity's stock has risen dramatically with his recent solid play.

Since moving into the starting lineup 17 games ago, Garrity has averaged 13.4 points and 4.7 rebounds. He entered Thursday's game having made 12 of his past 14 3-pointers.

Garrity's steady improvement could result in a dramatic pay increase next season. Garrity is making $1.5 million this year and will become a restricted free agent at season's end. Orlando could have extended his contract last summer, but declined the option.

"Noooo, I haven't thought of that at all," Garrity joked. "I'm more looking to play myself into more years on this team. I don't want to go anywhere."

"I don't know how to look at that sort of thing. Really, it's too early to start thinking about (a salary increase) now. Those types of things tend to be a distraction, so I'm trying not to think about it."

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For years, Rivers has called the Clippers' franchise "a potential gold mine" because of their location in Los Angeles and their high draft picks. But Rivers is still surprised that the Clippers have turned around their losing ways this season and climbed into the playoff race. Rivers, who played for the Clippers one season (1991-92), said their reputation as the NBA's thriftiest franchise is warranted.

"When I got traded there they had the video guy at the airport to pick me up and even he told me, 'Sorry you're here because this is going to be very different for you,' " Rivers recalled. "I think they drove me to the airport in a Pacer, an old torn-up car. But I actually had a tremendous year there. We made the playoffs, but that was the year of the riots."

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The Clippers still have the NBA's smallest payroll at $33 million. They have also made some questionable moves this season in the name of cutting costs. Los Angeles got involved in Orlando's trade with Phoenix earlier this season, getting $3 million from the Magic to take Vinny Del Negro. The Clippers then cut Del Negro. Los Angeles also traded for Merritt Island native Will Perdue, only to cut him days later.

If the Clippers are going to hang on to their collection of young talent their payroll will have to go up dramatically. Michael Olowokandi, Jeff McInnis and Eric Piatkowski can be free agents after this season, while Elton Brand and Lamar Odom will be eligible for free agency in 2003.

Some, such as Orlando veteran Horace Grant, doubt whether or not Clippers' owner Donald Sterling will pay the money necessary to keep the roster intact.

"If history repeats itself, he's going to let a few of those guys go. But if he's a smart manager, he'd keep all those young pieces together," Grant said. "In a few years that's a team that could go far in the playoffs. (Elton) Brand is one of the best power forwards in the league and Olowokandi is playing great right now. You can go down the line with the talent they have."