Big names were moving all over the place this week due to the NBA trade deadline yesterday.  Here is a look at how good each team did:

These teams get an A:

New Jersey Nets:  The Nets kept getting jilted every time they tried to add a star, so they decided to make a giant splash in the trade market.  They added All-Star point guard Deron Williams from the Jazz in a deal for Devin Harris, Derrick Favors, 2 first round picks and cash.  Williams is one of the best point guards in all of basketball and he will make everyone on the Nets better players.  The Nets weren’t done there as they dealt Troy Murphy and a 2nd round pick to the Warriors for center Dan Gadzuric and power forward Brandan Wright.  The Nets think Wright has the potential to make this deal a steal.  The Nets aren’t going to make the playoffs this season but they will likely finish strong.

New York Knicks:  The Knicks made a bold move in dealing for Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups from the Nuggets.  Anthony wanted to get to the Big Apple, so he’s going to be very happy.  The Knicks also have to be happy with Billups who is a big game player.  Shelden Williams, Anthony Carter and Renaldo Balkman were thrown into this trade to make the money work.  The Knicks had to give the Nuggets Raymond Felton, Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov and a first round pick to seal the Anthony deal, so he didn’t come cheap.  The Knicks also dumped Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry on the Timberwolves for Corey Brewer who should help them off the bench.  The Knicks are going to be a force offensively but they won’t be able to outscore everyone.

Cleveland Cavaliers:  The Cleveland Cavaliers wanted to do more at the trade deadline but they were rebuffed.  The Cavs shipped Mo Williams & Jamario Moon to the Clippers for Baron Davis and the Clippers unprotected first round pick.  That pick is likely to be in the lottery as the Clippers aren’t likely going to make the playoffs this season.  The Cavs also snapped up rookie center Semih Erden & rookie forward Luke Harangody from the Celtics for a second round pick in 2013.  Overall the Cavs had a great day yesterday.

Denver Nuggets:  The Nuggets felt that they had to deal Carmelo Anthony so they sent him where he wanted to go and they got a nice return.  Also going to the Knicks are Chauncey Billups, Shelden Williams, Anthony Carter and Renaldo Balkman.  The Knicks got back Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, Raymond Felton, Timofey Mozgov, Kosta Koufos (from the T-Wolves) and a first round pick.  That is a pretty nice haul as the Nuggets might still make the playoffs in the Western Conference.

Oklahoma City Thunder:  The Thunder made a couple of very nice deals yesterday to tighten up the team for the playoffs.  In separtate deals with the Celtics & Bobcats, the Thunder brought in centers Kendrick Perkins, Nazr Mohammed and point guard Nate Robinson.  The Thunder dealt Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic to the Celtics and D.J. White and Morris Peterson to the Bobcats.  Jeff Green is the best player in either of these deals, but the Thunder probably got the 2nd, 3rd and 4th best players so it’s a big net gain. 

Portland Trailblazers:  The Trailblazers dealt for small forward Gerald Wallace from the Bobcats yesterday.  He is just what the doctor ordered as few teams will have better starting forwards than LaMarcus Aldridge & Gerald Wallace.  To get Wallace, the Blazers parted with Dante Cunningham, Joel Przybilla, Sean Marks and 2 first round picks.  The Blazers paid full price for the Gerald Wallace, but he’s worth it.

These teams get a B:

Washington Wizards:  The Wizards raked the Atlanta Hawks over the coals yesterday.  The Wizards dealt Kirk Hinrich & Hilton Armstrong to the Hawks for Mike Bibby, Maurice Evans, rookie guard Jordan Crawford and a first round pick.  Crawford was the Hawks first round pick last June.  So who would have ever thought that Kirk Hinrich would ever bring back 2 first round picks, but he did yesterday.

Phoenix Suns:  A lot of “experts” have been dissing the Suns for giving up a first round pick and Goran Dragic for Aaron Brooks.  Aaron Brooks is way better than Dragic and the Suns have their eyes on sneaking into the playoffs this year.  So, I like the move for them.

Sacramento Kings:  The Sacramento Kings acquired Marcus Thornton & Marquis Daniels in separte deals essentially for Carl Landry.  Thornton has a huge upside while Landry pretty much is what he is.  Marquis Daniels is likely done for the season but the Kings acquired him so they could get over the salary floor in the NBA, to save a fine from the league.

Houston Rockets:  The Rockets got younger yesterday by dealing Shane Battier, Ishmael Smith and Aaron Brooks in separate deals to the Grizzlies and Suns.  The Rockets got back Goran Dragic, Hasheem Thabeet, DeMarre Carroll and 2 first round picks.  I love the moves for the Rockets as they can easily replace Battier with Chase Budinger and Courtney Lee.  Dragic replaces Brooks as Kyle Lowry’s backup and the Rockets net two first round picks in the deals.  I like what they did.

Utah Jazz:  The Utah Jazz weren’t going to put up with Deron Williams being the next Carmelo Anthony, so they figured it’s better to deal him too early than too late.  Devin Harris, Derrick Favors, 2 first round picks and cash was the bounty the Nets paid for Williams.  Harris will replace Williams in the starting lineup while Favors will back up Paul Millsap at power forward.  The draft picks will also help the Jazz reload instead of rebuild.

New Orleans Hornets:  The Hornets wanted some more scoring out of the frontcourt and that’s exactly what they got in a deal for Carl Landry from the Sacramento Kings.  The Hornets deal 2nd year shooting guard Marcus Thornton to the Kings for Landry.  Despite having a very nice upside, Hornets’ coach Monty Williams just never let him out of the Dog House.  The Hornets could regret this deal down the road, but for now it was the right move.

These teams get a C:

Boston Celtics:  The Celtics have been getting hammered for the deal that sent Kendrick Perkins & Nate Robinson to the Thunder for forward Jeff Green & Nenad Krstic.  I don’t think this is that bad of a deal for the Celtics as Jeff Green is the best player in this trade.  I do have a problem with the Celtics dealing rookies Semih Erden and Luke Harangody to the Cavs for a 2nd round pick.  Erden looks like he has a nice upside.  Dealing Marquis Daniels to the Kings was a smart move as it opens up a roster spot and he’s likely done for the year.

Toronto Raptors:  The Raptors acquired 2nd year small forward James Johnson from the Bulls for the Heat’s first round pick in 2011.  So Johnson is the first player the Raptors have acquired in the Chris Bosh deal.

Chicago Bulls:  The Bulls dealt 2nd year small forward James Johnson to the Raptors for the Miami Heat’s first round pick in 2011.  Johnson wasn’t going to get to play much for the Bulls and he has disappointed them so far this year, so I think this was a good deal for them.

Los Angeles Clippers:  The Clippers acquired point guard Mo Williams and small forward Jamario Moon from the Cleveland Cavaliers for Baron Davis and their first round pick.  Williams might be a tad better than Davis, but this was a money move for the Clippers.  They wanted to get rid of Davis so bad that they had to give up a lottery pick to seal the deal…..not too smart.

Memphis Grizzlies:  The Memphis Grizzlies were a little desperate to add a small forward due to Rudy Gay’s injury which is going to keep him out of action for quite a while.  With that in mind the Grizzlies dealt Hasheem Thabeet, DeMarre Carroll and a first round pick to the Rockets for Shane Battier and Ishmael Smith.  Battier will bring defense and a nice outside shot to the small forward position for the Grizzlies.  He’s a very unselfish player which should fit right in with the Grizzlies’ style of play.

Minnesota Timberwolves:  The Timberwolves acquired Anthony Randolph, Eddy Curry and a 2nd round pick for Corey Brewer (to the Knicks) and Kosta Koufos (to the Nuggets).  Randolph has the highest upside of any player in this deal but Brewer should help the Knicks off the bench immediately.

These teams get a D:

Atlanta Hawks:  The Hawks paid a King’s Ransom to acquire Kirk Hinrich and Hilton Armstrong.  The Hawks sent Mike Bibby, Maurice Evans, Jordan Crawford and a 1st round pick to the Wizards for their #3 guard.  Hinrich will take over for Mike Bibby as the starting point guard and he should be a upgrade, but not enough of one to deal Jordan Crawford and a 1st round pick for him.

Golden State Warriors:  The Warriors acquired Troy Murphy and a 2nd round pick from the Nets for Dan Gadzuric and Brandan Wright.  The Nets are young so they are going to likely get Wright his fair share of minutes so this trade could turn out awful if the Warriors just buy out Murphy instead of letting him play for them.

This team gets an F:

Charlotte Bobcats:  Shame on the Bobcats.  They are the #9 seed in the Eastern Conference and they just flat out gave up by dealing Gerald Wallace and Nazr Mohammed for Joel Przybilla, Dante Cunningham, Sean Marks, D.J. White, Morris Peterson and 2 first round picks.  They are going to be a lottery team now, book it.

These teams didn’t make any deals:  Philadelphia 76ers, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs.

There are 17 players who are making more than $5 million bucks this season who are essentially stealing the money due to poor play or injury.  I have ranked them in order of ineptitude and here’s a look at the breakdown:

 1. Eddy Curry, C, New York Knicks:  28-year old center Eddy Curry has not played in a game this season for the Knicks and it has been due to a coach’s decision.  That means the Knicks are essentially playing Curry $11,276, 863 bucks not to play.  That says quite a bit about him as a basketball player.

 2. Greg Oden, C, Portland Trailblazers:  23-year old center Greg Oden has not and will not play in a game this year as he needed another knee surgery.  So the Blazers are paying him $6,760,524 bucks to rehab.  The Blazers would have drafted Kevin Durant if they could have that pick over again.  Oden is turning into another version of center Sam Bowie who the Blazers picked over Michael Jordan.

 3. DeSagana Diop, C, Charlotte Bobcats:  29-year old center DeSagana Diop just plain sucks.  He played in 16 games (0 starts) for the Bobcats this season and he averaged 11.3 minutes, 1.3 points, 2.6 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game.  He only shot 33.3% from the floor and 36.4% from the free throw line before his season ended due to surgery.  The Bobcats are on the hook to pay Diop $6,478,600 bucks this year.

 4. Yao Ming, C, Houston Rockets:  30-year old center Yao Ming showed that he still was skilled before he was injured early this season.  Yao is done for the season, once again.  He played in 5 games (all starts) for the Rockets this year and he averaged 18.2 minutes, 10.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 1.6 blocked shots per game.  The Rockets are paying Yao $17,686,100 bucks this year.

 5. Morris Peterson, SG/SF, Oklahoma City Thunder:  33-year old Morris Peterson has his butt nailed to the end of the Thunder’s bench.  He has played in 4 games (0 starts) for the Thunder so far this year and he is averaging 5.8 minutes, 1.0 point, 0.8 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game.  Peterson has been pretty awful this year but he doesn’t seem to care because he’s making $6,665,000 bucks this year!

 6. Jason Kapono, SG/SF, Philadelphia 76ers:  30-year old Jason Kapono is stuck at the end of the bench for the Sixers.  He has played in 18 games (2 starts) for the 76ers so far this year and he is averaging 4.9 minutes, 0.8 points, 0.5 rebounds and 0.1 assists per game.  Kapono’s only asset is his long range shooting and the Sixers have more well rounded players ahead of him on the depth chart.  Kapono is still smiling though as he is making $6,641,440 bucks this year.

 7. Dan Gadzuric, C, Golden State Warriors:  33-year old center Dan Gadzuric has not got a lot of P.T. this year and he’s a little down on the depth chart.  He has played in 28 games (4 starts) for the Warriors so far this year and he is averaging 10.6 minutes, 2.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game.  For that, Gadzuric is getting paid $7,248,325 bucks.

 8. Troy Murphy, PF, New Jersey Nets:  30-year old Troy Murphy got into Avery Johnson’s Dog House quickly in New Jersey.  He has been sent home to await getting dealt….which is something I have never heard about before.  Murphy has played in 18 games (4 starts) for the Nets this year and he is averaging 16.0 minutes, 3.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game.  Murphy makes his money shooting the ball and he has been putrid so far this year.  Murphy is shooting 34.2% from the floor, 17.4% from three point range and 52.9% from the free throw line!  Yuck!  For that, the Nets are paying Murphy $11,968,253 bucks!

 9. Josh Childress, SG/SF, Phoenix Suns:  27-year old Josh Childress returned this year after playing in Greece and the Suns had high hopes for him.  But, he has not been able to earn many minutes so far this year.  Childress has played in 33 games (3 starts) for the Suns so far this year and he is averaging 17.0 minutes, 5.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game.  The Suns are paying Childress $6,500,000 bucks this season.

10. Joel Przybilla, C, Portland Trailblazers:  31-year old Joel Przybilla started the season rehabbing and he just hasn’t played well since returning to action.  He has played in 27 games (8 starts) for the Blazers so far this year and he is averaging 14.0 minutes, 1.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game.  Przybilla is getting a handsome sum for his play as he is making $7,405,300 bucks this year.

11. James Posey, SF, Indiana Pacers:  34-year old James Posey is running on fumes right now.  He has played in 42 games (0 starts) for the Pacers so far this year and he is averaging 17.9 minutes, 5.1 points, 3.0 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game.  Posey used to be a big time asset due to his shooting but he’s only hitting 34.8% from the floor and 32.6% from three point range so far this year.  Posey isn’t hurting for cash though as the Pacers are paying him $7,148,800 bucks this year.

12. Vladimir Radmanovic, SF, Golden State Warriors:  30-year old Vladimir Radmanovic just doesn’t get enough P.T. to try to earn his paycheck.  He has played in 47 games (6 starts) for the Warriors so far this year and he is averaging 17.1 minutes, 5.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.  He is shooting 40.7% from the floor from three point range, so he hasn’t been near as bad as most guys on this list.  He is making $6,883,800 bucks this year.

13. Nick Collison, PF/C, Oklahoma City Thunder:  30-year old Nick Collison isn’t an awful player but he just isn’t good enough to get on the court for the Thunder.  Collison has played in 42 games (0 starts) for the Thunder so far this year and he is averaging 20.7 minutes, 4.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game.  It doesn’t appear that the Thunder are getting their money’s worth out of Collison who makes $13,270,000 bucks.

14. Kenyon Martin, PF, Denver Nuggets:  33-year old power forward Kenyon Martin is running on fumes right now.  Martin has played in 22 games (all starts) for the Nuggets this season and he is averaging 22.4 minutes, 6.0 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.  Martin’s body is starting to break down while the Nuggets are on the hook for $16,545,454 bucks.

15. Trevor Ariza, SF,  New Orleans Hornets:  25-year old starting small forward Trevor Ariza should be a energy player who comes off the bench.  That is because the man just can’t shoot to save his life.  Ariza is shooting 39% from the floor, 28.9% from three point range and 70.8% from the free throw line so far this year.  He has played in 51 games (all starts) for the Hornets so far this year and he is averaging 34.8 minutes, 11.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.6 steals per game.  For Ariza’s efforts, he’s being paid $6,322,320 bucks.

16. Gilbert Arenas, SG/PG, Orlando Magic: 29-year old Gilbert Arenas was supposed to give the Magic a long range assassin to spread the floor and open the paint up for Dwight Howard, but it hasn’t worked out that way.  Arenas has played in 49 games (14 starts) for the Wizards & Magic so far this year and he is averaging 27.2 minutes, 12.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.2 steals per game.  Arenas is only shooting 37.6% from the floor and 29.7% from three point range so far this year.  Agent Zero is pocketing $17,730,964 bucks this year.

17. Ron Artest, SF, Los Angeles Lakers:  Everything went hunky dory for the Lakers last season and Ron Artest.  This year though, 31-year old Ron Artest doesn’t look like the same player.  He almost looks dis-interested on the court now that he finally has a ring.  Artest has played in 54 games (all starts) for the Lakers so far this year and he is averaging 28.5 minutes, 8.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.4 steals per game.  For that, Artest is getting paid $6,322,320 bucks. 

If the baseball writers are going to keep everyone out of the Baseball Hall of Fame that did drugs to enhance their performance then they have to leave Andy Pettitte on the outside looking in starting five years from now.  Pettitte pitched in 489 games (479 starts) in his 16 years in the majors and he was 240-138 with a 3.88 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP.  He also pitched in 42 games (all starts) in the post season and he is 19-10 with a 3.83 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP.  Pettitte has the most wins in post season history but the added tier of playoffs gave him more opportunities then the old school players got.  Pettitte only made the All-Star team 3 times in his major league career and he won 20+ games only twice (in 1996 and 2003).  If Major League Baseball had a Hall of Good, that is where Andy Pettitte belongs.  I just hope the Baseball Writers do the right thing and keep Andy Pettitte out of the Hall of Fame because he was a cheater just the same as A-Rod.