DETROIT PISTONS (24-3)

Inside the record: The three losses were to Dallas, Washington and Utah, with the loss to the Wizards coming at home after Ben Wallace missed a free throw late in regulation that would have won it for the Pistons. The Mavericks loss came on the second night of a back-to-back road set, and the debacle against the Jazz came as Detroit played its third road game in four nights.

Most telling stat: The Pistons are averaging 6.6 more points per game under Flip Saunders than they did last season under Larry Brown, while the defense is yielding only 1.9 more points than it did a year ago. Detroit is 4-0 is games decided by three points or less, though Milwaukee (6-0) is even better.

Changes ahead? You'd think Joe Dumars would be satisfied, but he'd make a tweak. "Maybe adding one more guy off the bench, adding one more piece to the bench that would have impact," he told ESPN.com.

The boss says: "Obviously we're happy with the record, but we're pushing our guys as hard as ever because you want to fight any complacency whatsoever. For us, it's not so much about the record. It's about playing for the playoffs."

Trade asset: Somewhere out there might be a team willing to give some serious playing time to Darko Milicic, who will remain a bust at least until he gets some burn.

Grade: A+

Yeah I read that.

No one else in the east got higher than a B.



Art

Can you post the whole article? I don't want to sign up for insider...

Can you post the whole article? I don't want to sign up for insider...

I second that motion. I would love to see the sure F grades they gave to the Kings and Knicks.

The Pistons are the only team to deserve that grade. It's good to see that others agree.

DETROIT PISTONS (24-3)
Inside the record: The three losses were to Dallas, Washington and Utah, with the loss to the Wizards coming at home after Ben Wallace missed a free throw late in regulation that would have won it for the Pistons. The Mavericks loss came on the second night of a back-to-back road set, and the debacle against the Jazz came as Detroit played its third road game in four nights.

Most telling stat: The Pistons are averaging 6.6 more points per game under Flip Saunders than they did last season under Larry Brown, while the defense is yielding only 1.9 more points than it did a year ago. Detroit is 4-0 is games decided by three points or less, though Milwaukee (6-0) is even better.

Changes ahead? You'd think Joe Dumars would be satisfied, but he'd make a tweak. "Maybe adding one more guy off the bench, adding one more piece to the bench that would have impact," he told ESPN.com.

The boss says: "Obviously we're happy with the record, but we're pushing our guys as hard as ever because you want to fight any complacency whatsoever. For us, it's not so much about the record. It's about playing for the playoffs."

Trade asset: Somewhere out there might be a team willing to give some serious playing time to Darko Milicic, who will remain a bust at least until he gets some burn.

Grade: A+

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (17-10)
Inside the record: Have already had winning streaks of eight and six, but their record against above-.500 teams is only 9-7.

Most telling stat: The team with the league's third-best offense can get it done with defense -- Cavs are 11-1 when holding opponents below 50 points in the second half.

Changes ahead? After making major changes over the summer, the most likely tweak would be a minor deal of guards Luke Jackson and/or Sasha Pavlovic. Never got seriously involved in Artest talks.

The boss says: "Coming into the season we knew it would be a work in progress, and things have overall moved in a positive direction," general manager Danny Ferry told ESPN.com.

Trade asset: Knicks coach Larry Brown would love to acquire Eric Snow, who is owed $21 million over the next three seasons, but Cavs like what Snow brings defensively and in leadership.

Grade: B

NEW JERSEY NETS (16-12)
Inside the record: The Nets entered the weekend with a seven-game winning streak, tied for fourth-longest in team history.

Most telling stat: Led by Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson, the Nets' scoring is up nearly 10 points per game during the streak.

Changes ahead? The search for a new starting power forward goes on every day, but what really interests the Nets is the remote chance that they can make a run at Kevin Garnett next summer if he asks the Timberwolves to trade him.

The boss says: "Over the last couple weeks we've played much better. Vince has played brilliantly during this stretch, and the bench has settled in after being erratic and inconsistent in our first 8-10 games," team president Rod Thorn told ESPN.com. "You're never satisfied unless you win 90 percent of your games. If you're Detroit, you're satisfied."

Trade asset: Own the right to the Clippers' No. 1 pick in 2006, and have made it known they'd include the pick to get the right deal done.

Grade: B

MIAMI HEAT (17-13)
Inside the record: 6-3 since Pat Riley took over for Stan Van Gundy.

Most telling stats: Shooting only 36 percent from 3-point range after making nearly 38 percent a year ago. Went 9-9 while O'Neal was out with a sprained ankle.

Changes ahead? The last time Pat Riley made a significant in-season trade was 1998, when he dealt Ike Austin and a No. 1 pick for Brent Barry, although he did do the Steve Smith-Malik Allen deal last February.

The boss says: "I do believe at the end of the summer, we got very fortunate to get Gary [Payton], because I think Gary will have the moxie to play against [Chauncey] Billups and maybe Rip [Hamilton], and the experience. And I think maybe in a big-game situation defensively, he can shut people down. When we get to that time when we're going to need that kind of defense, then I think we have enough. And if we don't, then I'm going to keep looking for it," Riley told the Heat's beat writers.

Trade asset: Plenty of teams have interest in Michael Doleac, who is expendable if Alonzo Mourning remains healthy.

Grade: B-

MILWAUKEE BUCKS (15-11)
Inside the record: They'd be a .500 team if not for the late-game heroics of Mo Williams, whose buzzer-beating 3-pointers defeated Indiana and Washington.

Most telling stats: One of only three Eastern teams with a winning road record (7-6). Have lost five times at home, where they have drawn three sellout crowds after having only one all last season.

Changes ahead? General manager Larry Harris told ESPN.com he is almost certainly finished making trades. "Giving up an unprotected first-round pick, which I thought would land somewhere around No. 20, for [Jamaal] Magloire was, to me, a no-brainer. There aren't many 7-footers available out there who can help you get into the second round of the playoffs."

The boss says: "One of the biggest things to me is our seven road wins, which matches our total from last season," Harris said. "We'd still like to try to win 30 home games."

Trade asset: A package of Reece Gaines, Jiri Welsch and Ervin Johnson, all with expiring contracts, could get them a serviceable player on a mid-level exception contract.

Grade: B

INDIANA PACERS (15-11)

Inside the record: Lack of closure to the Artest situation has led to three straight lopsided losses. The patience of the players in the locker room is being tested.

Most telling stat: In the 23 games he played last season and this season, Artest averaged 20.9 points. When the Raptors traded Vince Carter last season, he was averaging 15.9.

Changes ahead? The question is when they'll trade Artest. Denver, Lakers, Minnesota, Golden State, Seattle are all possibilities. Their best option may be to include Austin Croshere in a deal, which would allow them to take on a player or players making anywhere from $11.75 million to $18.5 million.

The boss says: "I'm spending this week in the office, trying to see what's real and what's not real," Walsh told ESPN.com. "I know there are some players we'd like to do deals for, but there always seems to be a problem. I'd say there are 10 teams that would like [Artest], five with strong interest, maybe three that seem to want him to the point where they'd go the extra mile, whether with a player or a draft pick."

Trade asset: Could also include Jonathan Bender, who plans to retire, in an Artest trade. Bender is on the cap for $7.175 million, while Croshere makes $7.9 million.

Grade: C

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS (15-14)
Inside the record: 10-5 at home, where they're drawing only 15,021 fans per game -- third-worst in the league, ahead of only Orlando (14,527) and Portland (13,831).

Most telling stat: Iverson's scoring average of 34.1 is well above his career-high of 31.4 in 2001-02.

Changes ahead? Not willing to take a risk on Artest if it would cost them Andre Iguodala. If the price was merely John Salmons, Steven Hunter and Kevin Ollie, they'd do it.

The boss says: "Last December I didn't think I'd get Chris Webber, so you never know. There are guys who become available in February who aren't available now," general manager Billy King told ESPN.com.

Trade asset: Sixers have a $4.55 million trade exception that doesn't expire until August.

Grade: C+

WASHINGTON WIZARDS (12-15)
Inside the record: Wizards are 0-7 when Gilbert Arenas has been held under 20 points.

Most telling stat: Wizards average exactly 100 points per game, which is also the exact number they allow, making them one of only three teams (Philadelphia, Seattle) averaging triple-digits on offense and defense.

Changes ahead? Chucky Atkins, in the final season of a contract paying him $4.5 million, has requested a trade. He's 7-for-13 on 3-pointers in his last three games.

The boss says: "We've got a lot of new players still getting used to each other, and we've had some good wins and some close losses. We won at Phoenix, at Detroit and beat San Antonio, so those have been nice wins along the way," general manager Ernie Grunfeld told ESPN.com.

Trade asset: Grunfeld's annual willingness to make a deal near the trade deadline. If Atkins isn't dealt first, Michael Ruffin is the next leading contender.

Grade: C-

CHICAGO BULLS (12-16)
Inside the record: A five-game losing streak has undone much of what they accomplished in the first six weeks of the season, and their 0-4 record against division opponents has left them at the bottom of the Central.

Most telling stat: Ranked in the bottom half of the league in every key offensive statistic except 3-point shooting (2nd, .409) and assists (6th, 22.3).

Changes ahead? Not having any luck finding a taker for Tim Thomas, who is sitting at home earning $13.9 million because Bulls coach Scott Skiles doesn't want him around. Lots of teams have interest in Luol Deng, Kirk Hinrich and Ben Gordon.

The boss says: "We're in transition in a lot of ways. We don't have any size, but we have a lot of money ($20 million in cap room) to spend, which also gives us great trade flexibility. I understand our limitations, but we still have a great young core that's interesting," general manager John Paxson told ESPN.com. "We're keeping our options open. A lot will depend on how other teams go forward."

Trade assets: New York's No. 1 pick in 2006, which is unprotected, the option to switch picks with New York in 2007, and New York's second-round picks in 2007 and 2009.

Grade: C-

ORLANDO MAGIC (11-15)
Inside the record: Have already had losing streaks of three, four and five games, and have played an NBA-low 10 road games. That'll change in January, when they have 10 on the road and just five at home.

Most telling stat: Last in the NBA in assists with fewer than 17 per game.

Changes ahead? Kelvin Cato ($8.6 million) and Tony Battie ($5.2 million) are both in the final year of their contracts.

The boss says: "Cato and Battie are also in demand by us. We like what they're giving us," assistant general manager Otis Smith told ESPN.com. "We're starting to find our groove, and we still have a chance of sneaking into the playoffs."

Trade assets: Own two spare second-round picks, Milwaukee's in 2006 and Cleveland's in 2007.

Grade: C-

BOSTON CELTICS (11-16)
Inside the record: Their 2-10 road record is the league's second-worst, trailing only Atlanta's 2-13.

Most telling stat: Have allowed only 91.7 points in their 11 wins; 105.6 points in their 16 losses.

Changes ahead? Director of basketball operations Danny Ainge said teams have stopped calling to ask about the availability of Paul Pierce.

The boss says: "We haven't been as consistent as I'd have liked. Individually I'm happy with a lot, collectively I'm not. Doc [Rivers] is still trying to establish an identity for the team," Ainge told ESPN.com.

Trade asset: Cleveland's first-round draft pick in 2007, protected for spots 1-10.

Grade: C-

CHARLOTTE BOBCATS (10-19)
Inside the record: 9-9 against the East, 1-10 against the West.

Most telling stat: Emeka Okafor's scoring average has dropped from 15.1 to 12.9, his FG pct has gone from .447 to .407, and he's also down nearly one rebound per game.

Changes ahead? Have offered to broker an Artest trade with their $4 million in salary cap space, but want a first-round pick in return.

The boss says: "We could be facilitators, but ($4 million in cap room) is not a lot when we're talking about the caliber of players being talked about," coach and general manager Bernie Bickerstaff told ESPN.com.

Trade asset: The Bobcats' cap goes up significantly next season after they finish two years of being limited to 75 percent of the cap as part of their expansion agreement. They also own a future first-round pick from Toronto that loses its lottery protection beginning with the 2009 draft.

Grade: C+

ATLANTA HAWKS (7-20)
Inside the record: 5-4 mark in their last nine, including wins over Spurs, Nuggets and Sixers, improved their grade from an F.

Most telling stat: Marvin Williams, the second overall pick of the 2005 draft, is averaging only 5.8 points and 4.4 rebounds in 22.4 minutes per game. He's stuck behind Al Harrington, who could be moved in a trade.

Changes ahead? Atlanta seems resigned to the inevitability of losing Al Harrington as an unrestricted free agent, and the Hawks need to replace the draft choices they included in the Joe Johnson trade. One of them is a first-rounder that loses its protection beginning with the 2008 draft. In 2007, it's protected only if it's among the first three picks.

The boss says: General manager Billy Knight declined to be interviewed. He has not spoken with reporters since giving a strong vote of confidence to coach Mike Woodson nearly three weeks ago, ending speculation that Woodson would become the first coach fired this season.

Trade asset: Had the rights to the better of the Celtics' and Lakers' first-round picks in 2006, but shipped that to Phoenix, too, in the Johnson deal.

Grade: D+

NEW YORK KNICKS (7-20)
Inside the record: Only 2-12 against the East, but 5-8 vs. the West. Their home record (4-8) is the third-worst in the league, trailing only Toronto's and Houston's.

Most telling stat: Stephon Marbury's scoring average has dipped to 17.7 after he had gone eight straight years averaging at least 20. His assists have gone from 8.1 to 6.1.

Changes ahead? Marbury is being booed regularly at Madison Square Garden, the World's Most Famous Misery Den. His contract makes him virtually untradeable, although a case could be made that Atlanta or Toronto might become interested.

The boss says: "He's 0-for-7 shooting with three assists in 41 minutes," Brown said of Marbury after the Knicks loss in Orlando. "He got the ball all the time. I ran as much stuff for him as I have all season. He maybe didn't feel like he had it. He got three assists and no steals. By accident you can get a steal."

Trade assets: The expiring contracts of Antonio Davis ($13.8 million) and Penny Hardaway ($15.7 million), which can be used to bring aboard a whole new collection of overpaid castoffs with several seasons remaining on their deals. Team president Isiah Thomas said rookie Channing Frye is untouchable.

Grade: F

TORONTO RAPTORS (7-22)
Inside the record: One of only four teams with a better road record than home record. Their 0-9 start killed whatever smidgen of confidence that might have existed coming out of training camp.

Most telling stat: Of the 46 centers listed in ESPN.com's Player Efficiency Ratings, No. 46 is Toronto big man Rafael Araujo.

Changes ahead? Before they can do anything long-term, they need to find a way to get rid of Jalen Rose, who is owed $16.9 million next season.

The boss says: "Obviously I'm not pleased with the record, but I'm pleased with the progress we seem to be making every 2-3 weeks. We've got a plan, rebuilding with young guys, and it's what we're following," general manager Rob Babcock told ESPN.com.

Trade asset: Own the rights to Denver's first-round pick in 2006.

Grade: D-

Nice work JS. You got the West grades too?

Thank you, JS. The Sixers and Hawks should have lower grades, but nice otherwise.

early 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-

Only a C- for the Blazers? Surprising. I guess they like that three-game win streak.

I think people thought the Blazers would be worse so they are better than expected thus c- not a F.

Plus they have been banged up. No Miles or Telfair hurts.

I think people thought the Blazers would be worse so they are better than expected thus c- not a F.

Plus they have been banged up. No Miles or Telfair hurts.

True, plus Steve Blake's emergence has been a nice surprise. No one's really stepped up in place of Miles, however. Dixon's come the closest. And with Przybilla and Theo being banged up on occasion, the team's hurting.

Why do we owe Portland our first? What did I miss?

A result of the Arroyo trade.

Yup. You guys traded it to Utah, who gave it to the Blazers for the #3 pick.