A few random notes from around the NBA in perhaps its busiest week:

* How good is Washington after Tuesday's trade in which the Wizards acquired guards Mike Miller and Randy Foye from Minnesota? "I think they are now the fourth best team in the East," former NBA coach and current PBN contributor Eric Musselman told me last night.

* Musselman also said he thinks the Wizards will lead the league in scoring under new coach Flip Saunders. "They already had some real potent scorers (in forwards Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler, and guard Gilbert Arenas, when healthy)," he said. "You have to love the fact they added a guy who averaged 16 points in Foye."

* As for Miller, Musselman believes the veteran guard can average anywhere from 18 to 25 minutes and score in double digits in Saunders' offense. "Miller stretches out the defense; you can't leave him open," Musselman said. "So with Arenas' ability to create, Miller causes the game to be 4-on-4. He is also a much better passer than he gets credit for."

* Musselman astutely pointed out the new Wizards already have Wolves connections. "Flip had the whole year off and lived in Minnesota -- so he got an up-close look and probably watched the Timberwolves more than anybody," he said. "The lead assistant on his staff in Washington is Randy Wittman (who, like Saunders, coached the Timberwolves). Another of his assistants in Washington is Don Zierden, who coached Minnesota's WNBA team. Between all those guys, they obviously know what they're getting in Miller and Foye."

* Musselman concluded, "It's obvious Washington is making a push not just to make the playoffs, but to go as far as they possibly can in the playoffs. Their time is now. The rest of the East should be scared; the Wizards have the potential to seriously threaten."

* Meanwhile, PBN columnist Chris Bernucca says the Wolves don‘t have nearly as much to be excited about.

* One Tuesday trade that didn't get much mention was the deal that sent Detroit forward Amir Johnson to Milwaukee (as part of the Bucks-San Antonio trade involving Richard Jefferson). Johnson was once considered a promising young prospect for the Pistons, but sources say the team grew increasingly frustrated with his inconsistency this past season.

* Of course, the Bucks certainly are high on Johnson, who started 22 games for the Pistons at the beginning of the year. And they'll need another forward now that Jefferson is gone. "He brings to the table some of what we don't have on our roster right now," said Bucks general manager John Hammond. "He rebounds and finishes above the rim and is an excellent shotblocker."

* By the way, Hammond was the Pistons' vice president when the team drafted Johnson in 2005.

* Word out of New Orleans is LSU guard Marcus Thornton's stock is on the rise. Thornton has reportedly impressed in individual workouts, and is expected to be drafted anywhere from No. 18 to 30. The Hornets, who own the No. 21 pick, are said to be particularly interested.

* Insiders insist Houston is the one true contender that's making a serious attempt to move into the lottery. The Rockets are obviously trying to rid themselves of Tracy McGrady, whose $21-million contract expires at season's end. As it stands, the Rockets don't own a pick.

* Miami has the final pick in the entire draft this year (No. 60). Just for kicks, I went back and looked at previous No. 60 picks. Unfortunately for the Heat, not too many names stand out. The previous seven: Turkish center Semih Erden (Boston, 2008); Serbian forward Milovan Rakovic (Dallas, 2007, traded to Orlando); Iowa State guard Will Blalock (Detroit, 2006); Pepperdine guard Alex Acker (Detroit, 2005); Georgia forward Rashad Wright (Indiana, 2004); Greek center Andreas Gliniadakis (Detroit, 2003); and Central Connecticut State forward Corsley Edwards (Sacramento, 2002). None is in the NBA.

Sam Amico is the editor of Pro Basketball News. He can be reached at amico@probasketballnews.com.