Updated: Dec. 29, 2005, 5:15 PM ET
Mavs and Suns pass with flying colors
Insider Sheridan
Nearly two months have passed since the opening of the 2005-06 season, and two teams have dictated the main story lines: Detroit in chasing the best record in NBA history, and Indiana in trying to pawn off the unwanted Ron Artest.
One Van Gundy has been deposed in Miami to make room for one of the best coaches in NBA history, while another Van Gundy is surprised to find himself languishing near the bottom of the Western Conference standings.
We have seen a 62-point game from Kobe Bryant, a 52-point outburst from LeBron James and 20 30-point games from Allen Iverson. The leading MVP candidates are Dirk Nowitzki, Elton Brand and Chauncey Billups, and the Rookie of the Year race is not really a race at all, thanks to the Hornets' Chris Paul.
But what we haven't seen yet is a single trade by any of the 30 general managers and team presidents who are ultimately responsible for their teams' successes and failures. That would seem to suggest some degree of widespread satisfaction with the way the season has unfolded.
Insider decided to test that theory by reaching out to top executives from all 30 teams for a self-assessment of how things are going.
With their comments in mind, Insider awards the following grades for each team's performance so far this season (Eastern Conference grades will run Friday):
SAN ANTONIO SPURS (22-7)
Inside the record: The defending champs' mark of 22-7 is good enough for first place in the conference, but not quite in line with the level of greatness we all expected from them. Of their seven losses, only one of the games (a Dec. 20 overtime loss at Milwaukee) has been close.
Most telling stats: Tony Parker is shooting an astounding 53.7 percent from the field, more than two points higher than Tim Duncan, but the team's free-throw percentage (68.6) is among the NBA's worst.
Changes ahead? In the final year of his contract, center Nazr Mohammed has more fouls (65) than field goals (58).
The boss says: "I'm concerned, but I'm not frantic," coach Gregg Popovich told the San Antonio Express-News. "We don't have that edge defensively that we've had the last few years. I'd be scared to death if the playoffs were next week."
Trade asset: Mohammed's $5.5 million contract that runs out after this season.
Grade: B+
DALLAS MAVERICKS (21-7)
Inside the record: They'd be No. 1 in the West if not for their continued inability to defeat the Lakers (0-2 this season, 7-50 since 1990).
Most telling stat: Mavs are 20-2 when Dirk Nowitzki scores at least 20 points, 1-5 when he's held below 20.
Changes ahead? "All roads lead through San Antonio," president of basketball operations Don Nelson told ESPN.com, "and I don't know if there's a player out there who can stop No. 21 [Tim Duncan]." The Mavs took a pass on Ron Artest after Indiana wanted Josh Howard, Marquis Daniels or Devin Harris.
The boss says: "I don't think we have any gaping holes," Nelson said. "By design, we have youth and experience at every position."
Trade asset: Keith Van Horn is in the final season of his contract, and teams seeking financial flexibility will place high value on a $15.7 million salary that comes off the cap in July.
Grade: A-
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES (17-10)
Inside the record: Only 7-5 this month, including two overtime losses. Have scored the 26th most points but have allowed the fewest.
Most telling stat: Opponents are shooting just .423 from the field. Only the Clippers are holding teams to a lower percentage (.421).
Changes ahead? Lorenzen Wright lost his starting job Wednesday night as Pau Gasol moved to center. "When you can't rebound the ball, it tells you people up front are not doing the job they're supposed to do," team president Jerry West said, noting he has five 3-point shooters who have drawn interest from other teams.
The boss says: "Frankly, we've lost some games that are just gut-wrenching, and that takes some sort of a toll on everyone. But we do have a better team with the veteran players we've added," West told ESPN.com.
Trade asset: Mike Miller is expendable, but it's a question whether suitors judge him affordable (his $48.4 million contract runs through 2009-10).
Grade: B
PHOENIX SUNS (17-10)
Inside the record: 0-3 in games decided by 3 or fewer points. Only Minnesota (0-4) is worse.
Most telling stat: Despite Phoenix's being without Amare Stoudemire, Steve Nash is averaging only one fewer assist (10.5) than he did last season. He also leads the NBA in FT percentage at .953. (The record is .958, by Calvin Murphy in 1980-81.)
Changes ahead? "It's below 50 percent in terms of us doing anything significant, but we do have a $3.6 million trade exception that is attractive for teams looking to save tax money," general manager Bryan Colangelo told ESPN.com.
The boss says: "To be sitting here at 16-10 without Amare, we're progressing pretty well. Some forecasters thought we'd be a .500 team -- even with Amare -- after losing Quentin Richardson and Joe Johnson, but we made the statement that we felt we were a better team because we had addressed our depth. And it's our depth that has kept us in this," Colangelo said.
Trade asset: Own the rights to Atlanta's top pick, which is protected for spots 1-10 in 2006, for spots 1-3 in 2007 and unprotected in 2008.
Grade: A-
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS (16-11)
Inside the record: Only 6-8 on the road, and just 2-6 in their last eight games -- with all six losses by decisive margins.
Most telling stat: Rank last in the NBA in turnovers forced per game with 11.7. (Charlotte leads the NBA at 18.6.)
Changes ahead? Mike Dunleavy was willing to take a chance on coaching Ron Artest, but Elgin Baylor was unwilling to part with Corey Maggette. Maggette's injury could change the equation.
The boss says: "We're always looking at what's available to see if we can get a player that fits chemistrywise and characterwise," Baylor, the vice president of basketball operations, told ESPN.com.
Trade asset: Chris Wilcox, in the final year of his contract, has drawn considerable interest from teams seeking size.
Grade: B
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES (14-12)
Inside the record: Only 2-6 in their last eight games, fueling their desire to acquire Ron Artest.
Most telling stat: 0-3 in overtime games, tied with Denver for the league's worst. 0-4 in games decided by 3 or fewer points.
Changes ahead? Making a hard push to acquire Artest from Indiana. A combo of Michael Olowokandi and Rashad McCants might get it done, though McCants hasn't been offered.
The boss says: "We have a team capable of competing for a playoff spot, but we want to be competing for a championship," general manager Jim Stack told ESPN.com. Stack was the personnel man who drafted Artest for the Bulls in 1999. Stack also was instrumental in bringing Dennis Rodman to the Bulls in 1995.
Trade asset: Still have the rights to Latrell Sprewell, who could be dealt in a sign-and-trade deal. Indiana has interest.
Grade: B-
LOS ANGELES LAKERS (15-14)
Inside the record: At this point a year ago, they were 16-13 under Rudy Tomjanovich, which makes the C+ look generous.
Most telling stat: 6-7 at the Staples Center, where they still outdraw the Clippers by an average of 2,000 fans per night.
Changes ahead? Phil Jackson would love to take a chance on Artest, but, other than Lamar Odom, there's no one on the roster who interests Indiana.
The boss says: "When you look at our average age, we're the second-youngest team behind Atlanta. You have to keep that in mind when you evaluate our performance," general manager Mitch Kupchak told ESPN.com. "We're still a work in progress, but based on our recent play, we're very happy with where we're going. For some reason, we struggle at home."
Trade asset: Miami's No. 1 pick in 2006.
Grade: C+
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (15-14)
Inside the record: 10-7 against the East, 5-7 against the West.
Most telling stat: Allowing opponents to score 99.6 points per game, second-worst in the West ahead of only Seattle (105.0).
Changes ahead? Ike Diogu has replaced Adonal Foyle as the starting center, though Foyle responded to the demotion with his best game of the season (seven points, six rebounds, five blocks) in Wednesday night's win over Boston.
The boss says: "We've got to get off to better starts than we've been getting off to," coach Mike Montgomery said after the Warriors gave up 44 first-quarter points to Denver on Monday night. "I don't want to point the finger at one person, because it's not any one person's fault, but we can't keep falling behind by 10 points in the first quarter and then try to consistently make it up."
Trade asset: Three first-round picks in 2007, although picks originally owned by Dallas and Philadelphia have lottery protection. Warriors also have New Jersey's and Minnesota's second-round picks in 2007.
Grade: B-
DENVER NUGGETS (14-15)
Inside the record: 5-10 on the road. Only the Trail Blazers, Bobcats and Hawks are worse. 0-3 in overtime games.
Most telling stat: The league's worst 3-point shooting team (30.1 percent).
Changes ahead? George Karl wants Ron Artest as badly as the Timberwolves do, but general manager Kiki Vandeweghe hasn't come up with a three-way proposal that would satisfy the Hawks and send Al Harrington back to Indiana.
The boss says: "When we're healthy, we can play well, but we haven't been healthy much this year. Our record doesn't reflect well on us, but we're still a contender in our division with a .500 record. So it's a mixture of not being happy with the record but understanding why we're there," Vandeweghe told ESPN.com.
Trade asset: Have made it known they're willing to part with both Nene and Earl Watson, and there's plenty of interest in both players -- just not from the Hawks when it comes to Watson.
Grade: C
UTAH JAZZ (13-16)
Inside the record: The Jazz have played only one game decided by three or fewer points (defeating Memphis in overtime Monday night), tied with Cleveland for fewest in the league.
Most telling stats: Lead the league in personal fouls, sending their opponents to the line for an average of almost three more free throws per game than they take themselves. Next to last in 3-point shooting (30.2 percent) and third worst on offense (88.2 points per game).
Changes ahead? The Jazz and their fans are frustrated by the slow pace of Carlos Boozer's recovery from a hamstring injury, and his trade value will remain devalued until he returns. "He came into camp with his body fat down, and you don't do that by accident. I don't think he's dogging it," owner Larry Miller told The Salt Lake Tribune.
The boss says: "We need to address some areas, specifically our shooting, and we'd like to be a little more athletic," general manager Kevin O'Connor told ESPN.com.
Trade asset: New York's No. 1 pick in 2010.
Grade: C
SEATTLE SUPERSONICS (12-15)
Inside the record: Their grade would be even worse if they weren't 8-4 against the East. Of their 15 games against teams from the West, they've won only four.
Most telling stat: Allowing 105.0 points per game, by far the most in the league. Toronto is 29th at 102.6.
Changes ahead? Reggie Evans is being shopped, while Vladimir Radmanovic and Flip Murray have trade vetoes and the right to become unrestricted free agents next summer. Radmanovic will accept a trade only to a team that will have at least $6 million in cap space next summer.
The boss says: "We're probably the team that's the most all over the board, and I'm disappointed that we haven't played as well as last season. We miss the role that Jerome [James] played; we miss Antonio [Daniels]" general manager Rick Sund told ESPN.com.
Trade asset: There is a market for the toughness Danny Fortson brings, but not if his feud with the referees keeps spinning out of control.
Grade: D
NEW ORLEANS HORNETS (12-15)
Inside the record: Already within six victories of matching their total from all of last season.
Most telling stats: Scoring an average of 2.5 more points per game and allowing 1.7 fewer points per game than they did last season.
Changes ahead? General manager Jeff Bower told ESPN.com he will not trade P.J. Brown because it would be impossible to replace the intangibles and leadership he provides to a rebuilding team.
The boss says: "The thing we point to is the cohesion and chemistry that's developed between him and the young guys, and that would be a heck of a thing to lose. You've seen what happens to teams with too many very young players," Bower told ESPN.com. "On the outside looking in, I understand the trade speculation. But on the inside looking out, he brings something we can't replace."
Trade assets: Milwaukee's No. 1 pick in 2006, Speedy Claxton's expiring contract ($3.6 million)
Grade: B
SACRAMENTO KINGS (11-17)
Inside the record: The Kings are only 7-9 at Arco Arena, which used to be the toughest building in the league for opponents.
Most telling stats: Peja Stojakovic's scoring average is down four points, and only Minnesota is a worse offensive rebounding team.
Changes ahead? Stojakovic will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, and Mike Bibby can opt out after 2006-07. One opposing Western Conference general manager said he believes Brad Miller will be available on the trade market.
The boss says: "Who are you going to bring in who's going to be better for you than Kenny [Thomas] and Corliss [Williamson]?" coach Rick Adelman told The Sacramento Bee after Shareef Abdur-Rahim had his jaw broken by Portland's Zach Randolph on Monday night. "We might bring in a player for practices' sake, but I don't think you're going to find somebody that's going to help you."
Trade asset: If Sacramento ever makes Stojakovic available, plenty of teams out there still believe in him. General manager Geoff Petrie usually gets an All-Star in return when he trades an All-Star, though he broke that trend with the Chris Webber deal.
Grade: F
HOUSTON ROCKETS (10-17)
Inside the record: They went 0-8 without Tracy McGrady when his back flared up at the start of the season and are 1-4 since Yao Ming went down with a toe infection.
Most telling stat: Rank 29th in scoring, averaging just one-tenth of a point more than the 30th-place Portland Trail Blazers.
Changes ahead? When asked which team might be lurking quietly in the Ron Artest sweepstakes, one opposing general manager named the Rockets: "Look at how old their roster is. They're trying to win now, and they're desperate."
The boss says: "In all my years, I've never seen this many injuries hit one team. We've been without six of our top eight rotation players. I'd love our grade to be 'incomplete,'" general manager Carroll Dawson told ESPN.com.
Trade asset: New York's 2006 second-round pick.
Grade: D
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS (10-18)
Inside the record: It could be worse, but the Blazers have won three straight and are 4-1 in games decided by 3 or fewer points.
Most telling stats: Rank dead last in the NBA in points per game (87.5) and free-throw percentage (67.7).
Changes ahead? Ruben Patterson and Theo Ratliff are on the trading block. Patterson ($6.3 million) has one year remaining on his contract; Ratliff ($11.6 million) has two more years.
The boss says: "We're probably right on course. Our goal was to show improvement on a monthly basis. We knew with all our young players that we wouldn't contend for a playoff spot. There's lots of interest in our younger guys, but we don't want to trade them," general manager John Nash told ESPN.com.
Trade asset: Detroit's first-round draft pick in 2006.
Grade: C-
Mavs and Suns pass with flying colors
Insider Sheridan
Nearly two months have passed since the opening of the 2005-06 season, and two teams have dictated the main story lines: Detroit in chasing the best record in NBA history, and Indiana in trying to pawn off the unwanted Ron Artest.
One Van Gundy has been deposed in Miami to make room for one of the best coaches in NBA history, while another Van Gundy is surprised to find himself languishing near the bottom of the Western Conference standings.
We have seen a 62-point game from Kobe Bryant, a 52-point outburst from LeBron James and 20 30-point games from Allen Iverson. The leading MVP candidates are Dirk Nowitzki, Elton Brand and Chauncey Billups, and the Rookie of the Year race is not really a race at all, thanks to the Hornets' Chris Paul.
But what we haven't seen yet is a single trade by any of the 30 general managers and team presidents who are ultimately responsible for their teams' successes and failures. That would seem to suggest some degree of widespread satisfaction with the way the season has unfolded.
Insider decided to test that theory by reaching out to top executives from all 30 teams for a self-assessment of how things are going.
With their comments in mind, Insider awards the following grades for each team's performance so far this season (Eastern Conference grades will run Friday):
SAN ANTONIO SPURS (22-7)
Inside the record: The defending champs' mark of 22-7 is good enough for first place in the conference, but not quite in line with the level of greatness we all expected from them. Of their seven losses, only one of the games (a Dec. 20 overtime loss at Milwaukee) has been close.
Most telling stats: Tony Parker is shooting an astounding 53.7 percent from the field, more than two points higher than Tim Duncan, but the team's free-throw percentage (68.6) is among the NBA's worst.
Changes ahead? In the final year of his contract, center Nazr Mohammed has more fouls (65) than field goals (58).
The boss says: "I'm concerned, but I'm not frantic," coach Gregg Popovich told the San Antonio Express-News. "We don't have that edge defensively that we've had the last few years. I'd be scared to death if the playoffs were next week."
Trade asset: Mohammed's $5.5 million contract that runs out after this season.
Grade: B+
DALLAS MAVERICKS (21-7)
Inside the record: They'd be No. 1 in the West if not for their continued inability to defeat the Lakers (0-2 this season, 7-50 since 1990).
Most telling stat: Mavs are 20-2 when Dirk Nowitzki scores at least 20 points, 1-5 when he's held below 20.
Changes ahead? "All roads lead through San Antonio," president of basketball operations Don Nelson told ESPN.com, "and I don't know if there's a player out there who can stop No. 21 [Tim Duncan]." The Mavs took a pass on Ron Artest after Indiana wanted Josh Howard, Marquis Daniels or Devin Harris.
The boss says: "I don't think we have any gaping holes," Nelson said. "By design, we have youth and experience at every position."
Trade asset: Keith Van Horn is in the final season of his contract, and teams seeking financial flexibility will place high value on a $15.7 million salary that comes off the cap in July.
Grade: A-
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES (17-10)
Inside the record: Only 7-5 this month, including two overtime losses. Have scored the 26th most points but have allowed the fewest.
Most telling stat: Opponents are shooting just .423 from the field. Only the Clippers are holding teams to a lower percentage (.421).
Changes ahead? Lorenzen Wright lost his starting job Wednesday night as Pau Gasol moved to center. "When you can't rebound the ball, it tells you people up front are not doing the job they're supposed to do," team president Jerry West said, noting he has five 3-point shooters who have drawn interest from other teams.
The boss says: "Frankly, we've lost some games that are just gut-wrenching, and that takes some sort of a toll on everyone. But we do have a better team with the veteran players we've added," West told ESPN.com.
Trade asset: Mike Miller is expendable, but it's a question whether suitors judge him affordable (his $48.4 million contract runs through 2009-10).
Grade: B
PHOENIX SUNS (17-10)
Inside the record: 0-3 in games decided by 3 or fewer points. Only Minnesota (0-4) is worse.
Most telling stat: Despite Phoenix's being without Amare Stoudemire, Steve Nash is averaging only one fewer assist (10.5) than he did last season. He also leads the NBA in FT percentage at .953. (The record is .958, by Calvin Murphy in 1980-81.)
Changes ahead? "It's below 50 percent in terms of us doing anything significant, but we do have a $3.6 million trade exception that is attractive for teams looking to save tax money," general manager Bryan Colangelo told ESPN.com.
The boss says: "To be sitting here at 16-10 without Amare, we're progressing pretty well. Some forecasters thought we'd be a .500 team -- even with Amare -- after losing Quentin Richardson and Joe Johnson, but we made the statement that we felt we were a better team because we had addressed our depth. And it's our depth that has kept us in this," Colangelo said.
Trade asset: Own the rights to Atlanta's top pick, which is protected for spots 1-10 in 2006, for spots 1-3 in 2007 and unprotected in 2008.
Grade: A-
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS (16-11)
Inside the record: Only 6-8 on the road, and just 2-6 in their last eight games -- with all six losses by decisive margins.
Most telling stat: Rank last in the NBA in turnovers forced per game with 11.7. (Charlotte leads the NBA at 18.6.)
Changes ahead? Mike Dunleavy was willing to take a chance on coaching Ron Artest, but Elgin Baylor was unwilling to part with Corey Maggette. Maggette's injury could change the equation.
The boss says: "We're always looking at what's available to see if we can get a player that fits chemistrywise and characterwise," Baylor, the vice president of basketball operations, told ESPN.com.
Trade asset: Chris Wilcox, in the final year of his contract, has drawn considerable interest from teams seeking size.
Grade: B
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES (14-12)
Inside the record: Only 2-6 in their last eight games, fueling their desire to acquire Ron Artest.
Most telling stat: 0-3 in overtime games, tied with Denver for the league's worst. 0-4 in games decided by 3 or fewer points.
Changes ahead? Making a hard push to acquire Artest from Indiana. A combo of Michael Olowokandi and Rashad McCants might get it done, though McCants hasn't been offered.
The boss says: "We have a team capable of competing for a playoff spot, but we want to be competing for a championship," general manager Jim Stack told ESPN.com. Stack was the personnel man who drafted Artest for the Bulls in 1999. Stack also was instrumental in bringing Dennis Rodman to the Bulls in 1995.
Trade asset: Still have the rights to Latrell Sprewell, who could be dealt in a sign-and-trade deal. Indiana has interest.
Grade: B-
LOS ANGELES LAKERS (15-14)
Inside the record: At this point a year ago, they were 16-13 under Rudy Tomjanovich, which makes the C+ look generous.
Most telling stat: 6-7 at the Staples Center, where they still outdraw the Clippers by an average of 2,000 fans per night.
Changes ahead? Phil Jackson would love to take a chance on Artest, but, other than Lamar Odom, there's no one on the roster who interests Indiana.
The boss says: "When you look at our average age, we're the second-youngest team behind Atlanta. You have to keep that in mind when you evaluate our performance," general manager Mitch Kupchak told ESPN.com. "We're still a work in progress, but based on our recent play, we're very happy with where we're going. For some reason, we struggle at home."
Trade asset: Miami's No. 1 pick in 2006.
Grade: C+
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (15-14)
Inside the record: 10-7 against the East, 5-7 against the West.
Most telling stat: Allowing opponents to score 99.6 points per game, second-worst in the West ahead of only Seattle (105.0).
Changes ahead? Ike Diogu has replaced Adonal Foyle as the starting center, though Foyle responded to the demotion with his best game of the season (seven points, six rebounds, five blocks) in Wednesday night's win over Boston.
The boss says: "We've got to get off to better starts than we've been getting off to," coach Mike Montgomery said after the Warriors gave up 44 first-quarter points to Denver on Monday night. "I don't want to point the finger at one person, because it's not any one person's fault, but we can't keep falling behind by 10 points in the first quarter and then try to consistently make it up."
Trade asset: Three first-round picks in 2007, although picks originally owned by Dallas and Philadelphia have lottery protection. Warriors also have New Jersey's and Minnesota's second-round picks in 2007.
Grade: B-
DENVER NUGGETS (14-15)
Inside the record: 5-10 on the road. Only the Trail Blazers, Bobcats and Hawks are worse. 0-3 in overtime games.
Most telling stat: The league's worst 3-point shooting team (30.1 percent).
Changes ahead? George Karl wants Ron Artest as badly as the Timberwolves do, but general manager Kiki Vandeweghe hasn't come up with a three-way proposal that would satisfy the Hawks and send Al Harrington back to Indiana.
The boss says: "When we're healthy, we can play well, but we haven't been healthy much this year. Our record doesn't reflect well on us, but we're still a contender in our division with a .500 record. So it's a mixture of not being happy with the record but understanding why we're there," Vandeweghe told ESPN.com.
Trade asset: Have made it known they're willing to part with both Nene and Earl Watson, and there's plenty of interest in both players -- just not from the Hawks when it comes to Watson.
Grade: C
UTAH JAZZ (13-16)
Inside the record: The Jazz have played only one game decided by three or fewer points (defeating Memphis in overtime Monday night), tied with Cleveland for fewest in the league.
Most telling stats: Lead the league in personal fouls, sending their opponents to the line for an average of almost three more free throws per game than they take themselves. Next to last in 3-point shooting (30.2 percent) and third worst on offense (88.2 points per game).
Changes ahead? The Jazz and their fans are frustrated by the slow pace of Carlos Boozer's recovery from a hamstring injury, and his trade value will remain devalued until he returns. "He came into camp with his body fat down, and you don't do that by accident. I don't think he's dogging it," owner Larry Miller told The Salt Lake Tribune.
The boss says: "We need to address some areas, specifically our shooting, and we'd like to be a little more athletic," general manager Kevin O'Connor told ESPN.com.
Trade asset: New York's No. 1 pick in 2010.
Grade: C
SEATTLE SUPERSONICS (12-15)
Inside the record: Their grade would be even worse if they weren't 8-4 against the East. Of their 15 games against teams from the West, they've won only four.
Most telling stat: Allowing 105.0 points per game, by far the most in the league. Toronto is 29th at 102.6.
Changes ahead? Reggie Evans is being shopped, while Vladimir Radmanovic and Flip Murray have trade vetoes and the right to become unrestricted free agents next summer. Radmanovic will accept a trade only to a team that will have at least $6 million in cap space next summer.
The boss says: "We're probably the team that's the most all over the board, and I'm disappointed that we haven't played as well as last season. We miss the role that Jerome [James] played; we miss Antonio [Daniels]" general manager Rick Sund told ESPN.com.
Trade asset: There is a market for the toughness Danny Fortson brings, but not if his feud with the referees keeps spinning out of control.
Grade: D
NEW ORLEANS HORNETS (12-15)
Inside the record: Already within six victories of matching their total from all of last season.
Most telling stats: Scoring an average of 2.5 more points per game and allowing 1.7 fewer points per game than they did last season.
Changes ahead? General manager Jeff Bower told ESPN.com he will not trade P.J. Brown because it would be impossible to replace the intangibles and leadership he provides to a rebuilding team.
The boss says: "The thing we point to is the cohesion and chemistry that's developed between him and the young guys, and that would be a heck of a thing to lose. You've seen what happens to teams with too many very young players," Bower told ESPN.com. "On the outside looking in, I understand the trade speculation. But on the inside looking out, he brings something we can't replace."
Trade assets: Milwaukee's No. 1 pick in 2006, Speedy Claxton's expiring contract ($3.6 million)
Grade: B
SACRAMENTO KINGS (11-17)
Inside the record: The Kings are only 7-9 at Arco Arena, which used to be the toughest building in the league for opponents.
Most telling stats: Peja Stojakovic's scoring average is down four points, and only Minnesota is a worse offensive rebounding team.
Changes ahead? Stojakovic will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, and Mike Bibby can opt out after 2006-07. One opposing Western Conference general manager said he believes Brad Miller will be available on the trade market.
The boss says: "Who are you going to bring in who's going to be better for you than Kenny [Thomas] and Corliss [Williamson]?" coach Rick Adelman told The Sacramento Bee after Shareef Abdur-Rahim had his jaw broken by Portland's Zach Randolph on Monday night. "We might bring in a player for practices' sake, but I don't think you're going to find somebody that's going to help you."
Trade asset: If Sacramento ever makes Stojakovic available, plenty of teams out there still believe in him. General manager Geoff Petrie usually gets an All-Star in return when he trades an All-Star, though he broke that trend with the Chris Webber deal.
Grade: F
HOUSTON ROCKETS (10-17)
Inside the record: They went 0-8 without Tracy McGrady when his back flared up at the start of the season and are 1-4 since Yao Ming went down with a toe infection.
Most telling stat: Rank 29th in scoring, averaging just one-tenth of a point more than the 30th-place Portland Trail Blazers.
Changes ahead? When asked which team might be lurking quietly in the Ron Artest sweepstakes, one opposing general manager named the Rockets: "Look at how old their roster is. They're trying to win now, and they're desperate."
The boss says: "In all my years, I've never seen this many injuries hit one team. We've been without six of our top eight rotation players. I'd love our grade to be 'incomplete,'" general manager Carroll Dawson told ESPN.com.
Trade asset: New York's 2006 second-round pick.
Grade: D
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS (10-18)
Inside the record: It could be worse, but the Blazers have won three straight and are 4-1 in games decided by 3 or fewer points.
Most telling stats: Rank dead last in the NBA in points per game (87.5) and free-throw percentage (67.7).
Changes ahead? Ruben Patterson and Theo Ratliff are on the trading block. Patterson ($6.3 million) has one year remaining on his contract; Ratliff ($11.6 million) has two more years.
The boss says: "We're probably right on course. Our goal was to show improvement on a monthly basis. We knew with all our young players that we wouldn't contend for a playoff spot. There's lots of interest in our younger guys, but we don't want to trade them," general manager John Nash told ESPN.com.
Trade asset: Detroit's first-round draft pick in 2006.
Grade: C-
