This trade deadline was fun and crazy this year. Lot of possibilities but finally, a lot of things went down. Years after years, we always hear constant trade rumors of big players moving to other clubs for a possible championship run or a future foundation move to rile up our emotions as NBA fans and analysts, but nothing usually goes down. This year is different. This year we have from the smallest of moves to the biggest of ones. G, Shooter, and Basher did an incredible covering the action while JB and I were advertising the S*^! out of it while supplying it with expert opinion.

Through all the trades and deals done, grades have to go out. Some received incredible accolades while others… not so much. A few teams should have been more involved, but couldn’t pull the trigger when it mattered most. Therefore, without going over every team, I will list the Top 5 grades and the bottom 5.

Enjoy

Top 5

1.Houston: A+ If I could a team a higher grade than A+, I would. The Rockets deserve it. I figure three things go into making a trade, but GM’s and owners are lucky to check off one of the following:

- Get rid of a problem (Whether it is cap space or disruptive player)
- Make your team better for a playoff run
- Build for the future

Rockets GM Daryl Morey marked all three of those with getting rid of Tracy McGrady, bringing in a pure scorer in Kevin Martin, and collecting two future round draft picks (protected) from the Knicks. Amazing, what did he do to pull this off? This is unheard of. It just doesn’t happen like this ladies and gents. I put the Rockets out of the playoffs this year, but now, I have them in over New Orleans. Incredible, truly incredible.

2.Cleveland: A- A team that was already on it’s way to a championship run, got better. Without getting rid pf anyone. Well, OK, I shouldn’t disrespect Street Ball Legend Zyrdrunas Ilgauskas, he did help the team and has been a Cavailer for years, but besides that, Cleveland pulled in a Top 25 player to help Lebron James and Mo Williams. The Cavs officially have a big three that causes match up problems for every team besides Atlanta, and now, a favorite to win the championship.

Yes, there is going to be a learning curve for Antawn Jamison, he has been a go to guy for his entire career, and now, he will be a second tier guy to arguably the best player in the world. He doesn’t have to force shots; he can now simply ball with the best and help a team win a championship.

Also, in speculation, this move may help Lebron stay in Cleveland, and if that’s the case, this is a better move than Houston’s.

3.New York: A- It’s about time Donnie Walsh, I have been a Knicks fan all of my life, and you have put me through some tough times. I understand that most of it was Isiah Thomas, but you hired and defended him. However, with getting rid of Jared Jeffries, Nate Robinson, and Jordan Hill (waste of a pick), and bringing in Tracy McGrady’s expiring contract and Eddie House, you have set up a team that at one time had no future for success. The Knicks will have the most cap room and can sign two max contracts. McGrady may still have something left in the tank and possibly be resigned frugally. A lot of possibilities and it’s all bright, which is a huge change.

The Knicks don’t get an A for two reasons:

This Move is All in Speculation: Nothing is set in stone. The Knicks want James and Chris Bosh and if they don’t get them, it’s a waste. The Knicks legitimately have 4 guys returning and no future. Understandably, they will get somebody else, but this what they are gong after. This is all it’s for; these two guys. I don’t think they will go here, and that’s a reason for the grade. However, it is the best move Walsh has made in 10 years.

No Young Future: With giving away 1st round draft picks for the next three years, the Knicks are handcuffing their future when it comes to a youthful upbringing. No exciting player to look forward. If Knicks fans watch college basketball, they may get depressed because all of the nations’ best are not coming to this team.

4.Dallas: B+ This team needed toughness. This team needed a spark. This team needed a new look. Mark Cuban filled these needs. He got rid of injury prone, defenseless, and bad attitude Josh Howard while obtaining All Star Caron Butler and a finally healthy Brendan Haywood. Erick Dampier is injured and a offensive liability. Haywood is the most underrated part of this trade. He will bring better defense and shot blocking to a team that is soft and looking for a new identity.

Dirk Nowitzki has reliable scoring help and Jason Kidd will aid Caron Butler to a new level. I don’t think this team can beat the Lakers, but now they have a reasonable chance to do so. That’s all you can ask for.

The Mavs also didn’t give up much.

5.Chicago: B Gar Forman may have not fired Vinny Del Negro (which he should do anyway), but he did get rid of a John Salmons, who has shown nothing since the series against Boston last year. Instead, Forman gets rid of Tyrus ‘Whine’ Thomas and brings in Ronald ‘Flip’ Murray, who I think is better than Salmons anyway. Murray is a pure scorer and with Heinrich, can be a solid one-two combo coming off the bench to help out Derrick Rose and Luol Deng.

The Bulls can now concentrate at making a run at the 5th seed, which is their’s for the taking. They’ll get it now.

Worst 5

1.Philadelphia: F With all of that trade bait, Philly pulled a move to bring in Jodie Meeks? Is that really their best move? The Sixers are 20-33 and are not getting any better. Elton Brand is lost, Thaddeus Young is playing out of position, and Andre Iguodala deserves to be on a better team, but for some reason, the organization loves this lineup and want to stick with them. It doesn’t make any sense and this is in city that gets bored watching base jumping. It just doesn’t make sense.

2.Kings: D Alright, I understand Sacramento wanted to get rid of Kevin Martin, but at least get something in return. He’s a top 20 scorer and the best you get back is Carl Landry? A power forward? Don’t you already have 6? Where is he going to play? Is he your Center now? There are countless questions and no viable answers. This trade made no sense in regards of helping Omri Casspi and Tyreke Evans. Sacramento has three terrible contracts with Spencer Hawes, Andres Noiconi, and Fransisco Garcia. They didn’t try to get rid of those. They didn’t get anything in return. They did a terrible a job.

3.Warriors: D You have all that trade bait and you couldn’t get anything, either. How do the Warriors say no to acquiring OJ Mayo for Monta Ellis. I know this team has seen Mayo play. I can’t wait until he leaves and goes to a new team. I don’t think anybody realizes how good Mayo is going to be. A versatile guard who can finish, shoot, and create. He is going to be a Top 20 player and maybe even better. The Warriors said “Nah, we enjoy being terrible.” To each his own.

4.Indiana: C- The Pacers could’ve gotten better and rid themselves of useless Troy Murphy while most likely bringing in a draft pick at worst to try and help Danny Granger, but they thought otherwise.

5.LA Lakers: C- With teams like Dallas, Cleveland, and Boston making moves to try put themselves into a position to bring home the Larry O’Brien trophy, the Lakers did nothing. They have expendable pieces in Luke Walton, Sasha Vujacic, and Adam Morrison to trade away for a solid player that could come of the bench and provide good minutes. The Lakers had a chance to bring in Kirk Heinrich and didn’t pull the trigger? And what happened to the Bynum for Bosh trade?

This may come and bite them in the butt, but only time will tell.

This is The Ref signaling I’m out until next time and remember: We miss calls, you miss lay ups.