The acquisition of Chris Webber didn't stop the 76ers from making another deal.
Philadelphia pulled off another trade Thursday as the hours ticked down toward the 3 p.m. EST NBA deadline, acquiring Rodney Rogers and Jamal Mashburn from New Orleans for Glenn Robinson.
Also, Cleveland acquired guard Jiri Welsch from Boston for a future first-round draft pick, and Houston bolstered its backcourt by acquiring point guard Mike James from Milwaukee, along with center Zendon Hamilton, for Reece Gaines and a pair of future second-round draft picks.
None of Thursday's deals matched the magnitude of the six-player swap late Wednesday night that sent Webber to Philadelphia for Corliss Williamson, Kenny Thomas and Brian Skinner. The 76ers also received forwards Michael Bradley and Matt Barnes.
Webber was expected to travel to Philadelphia on Thursday and would not be with the 76ers for their game in New York against the Knicks.
Webber will likely debut for his new team when the 76ers play his old team, Sacramento, on Saturday night in Philadelphia.
The Sixers are 26-27 and just a half-game behind Boston for first place in the Atlantic Division. Webber will provide Allen Iverson will get some of the offensive help he has been requesting.
"They're going to probably win the Atlantic now," Cleveland's LeBron James said. "It's going to make them one of the top four teams in the Eastern Conference. I know Iverson is very happy about it. I'm going to call him and tell him he got an early Christmas present."
In the 76ers' other deal, the major principles — Mashburn and Robinson — are injured and have not played this season. Rogers can become a free agent at the end of the year, but his 3-point shooting fits nicely with coach Jim O'Brien's offensive philosophy.
Robinson averaged 16.6 points a game in his first season in Philadelphia last year — down from his career average of 20.8. He lost his starting spot at small forward to rookie first-round pick Andre Iguodala in training camp and has rarely been seen with the team since then.
"A healthy Glenn Robinson would have added to our mix, but he wasn't able to play, so we just focused on what we had and the guys who could play," Sixers president Billy King said.
Rogers was expected to play against the Knicks.
Mashburn is making $9.3 million this year and $10.1 million next year, but seems likely to retire because of his knee injury.
Welsch, who started 32 games for Boston this season, should help the Cavaliers improve their woeful 3-point shooting. After going 1-for-7 on 3-pointers in Wednesday night's win over Chicago, the Cavaliers are ranked 27th out of 30 NBA teams from beyond the 3-point line.
Welsch has made 32 of 99 3-point attempts this season. He's averaging 7.5 points and 2.5 rebounds in 20.5 minutes a game.
"Coming down the stretch, you need as much firepower as you can get," Cavs coach Paul Silas said. "And another shooter should do that for us."
The Rockets-Bucks trade gives Houston another point guard to help make up for the absence of Bob Sura, who is expected to be sidelined at least another week by a back injury.
James, a four-year veteran, appeared in 47 games for Milwaukee and averaged 11.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists. He signed with the Bucks on Aug. 5 after playing for the NBA champion Detroit Pistons in 2004.
Hamilton averaged 3.2 points and 2.6 rebounds in 16 games this season.
Gaines, in his second season, has played in only 10 games with the Rockets, averaging 2.6 points and 1.1 rebounds.
Milwaukee will get Houston's second-round draft picks in 2006 and 2007.