Trade Evaluations

Atlanta Hawks/Mike Bibby -- On paper, Atlanta looks like a contender for the East, but they don't play up to potential. The addition of Bibby provides a more reliable shooter, along with another option come the end of games. However, they already had this in Joe Johnson. The better option would have been to go after a big man.

Grade: C

Dallas Mavericks/Jason Kidd -- This is a great move. Dirk wants to play with Jason. Jason wants to play with Dirk. Devin Harris was a good point guard, but the Mavs are near the bottom of the league in assists per game. Kidd will open the floor and push the ball a bit more, reverting back to a style circa the 2003 Dallas Mavs. The only downside with Kidd is his age, but he has a few good seasons left in the tank. Expect Dallas in the Western Conference Finals.

Grade: A

LA Lakers/Pau Gasol -- I'm not quite sold on Gasol. After two years of Pau-to-Chicago rumors, I never saw him as an instant impact player. He's a decent power forward with a nice touch, but he doesn't board as well as he should. The main reason for giving props to LA on this one is because he came at a steal. With Kwame Brown (arguably) the biggest peice the Lakers had to lose, Gasol came cheap. Count on them finishing the season strong only to fade in the playoffs without any legit role players.

Grade: B+

Phoenix Suns/Shaquille O'Neal -- Oh Steve Kerr, what are you thinking? The Suns' identity is running and gunning...and the closest The Deisel gets is running near empty. I know Phoenix needed more size to bang with the big boys in the Western Conference, but are they really going to pull the reigns on Steve Nash and make him wait for Shaq to drag up and down the court? (And yes, that was a pun referencing the fact Nash has a horse face.) They would have been better off giving this team one more shot and then getting something better (and younger) for Marion in the offseason. They've pretty much decided on a win now attitude as I'd give Shaq this season and next before he's done. This will only work if it changes the lockerroom attitude drastically. Would you rather have a healthy, younger Marion every game or an aged, injury-riddled Shaq for half the games? Who knows, maybe Kerr will turn out to be a genious and I will punish myself for having ever doubted him.

Grade: C-

Miami Grade: B