Grant Hill, Phoenix

Mike D'Antoni has wisely predicted that Hill will only play 25-30 minutes per game. Even so, there's no way that Hill's oft-injured, 35-year-old legs can keep up with Steve Nash and Co. In addition, Hill is a poor 3-point shooter, plays only moderately effective defense (which is, actually, business as usual in Phoenix), is notoriously soft, and has always been turnover-prone. Barring any further injuries, Hill does provide maturity and unselfishness as well as an excellent one-on-one option when the Suns are forced to take the air out of the ball. In other words, Hill's value will become more apparent in the playoffs. And by presumably pushing Boris Diaw out of the starting lineup, Hill's presence will also lengthen the Suns' bench. Grade: B

Darko Milicic, Memphis

Add Marc Iavaroni to the lengthening list of coaches who believe that they are the ones who can motivate Milicic. Getting him to play hard night in and night out. Convincing him to do something on defense besides blocking shots. To make quick, crisp passes instead of massaging the ball and casting longing looks at the hoop. To work to improve his post-up game. To avoid careless turnovers. To improve his free-throw shooting. To start behaving like a grown-up.

Good luck, coach. Grade: C-

Steve Blake, Portland

This guy can play. Offense, that is. He's smart, a dangerous spot-shooter, a more than adequate finisher, and a terrific passer. Blake's athleticism is surprising and is a definite upgrade over Jarrett Jack, who will be a superb backup. Blake's hustling but less-than-average defense will provide Greg Oden with numerous opportunities to block shots and pick up fouls. Still, this is a good move for the Blazers.

Now if they can only find some way to rid themselves of Darius Miles. Grade: B

Chucky Atkins, Denver

Here's the drop-it-like-it's-hot perimeter shooter the Nuggets have so sorely lacked. In addition, Atkins can drive both ways, excels in screen/rolls, has an excellent pull-up game, and would rather run than walk. However, he's a much better jump shooter than he is a finisher. At the other end, Atkins likes to pressure the ball and gamble on steals, but doesn't play solid contain defense. Also, since he's only 5-11, it's unlikely that Atkins can ever play in tandem with Allen Iverson. For Atkins, that unavoidable reality doesn't amount to very much leftover time or shots. Grade: C-

Mikki Moore, Sacramento

Despite his threatening glares, cheap shots and overly aggressive fouls, Mikki Moore is not nearly as tough as he thinks he is. Also, his defense is poor, he doesn't rebound well in heavy traffic, he's an inferior passer, and a habitual fouler. What he is, though, is an exceptional mid-range shooter. Strictly a one-trick pony.

If Moore is a useful player, he's not the force that the Kings need in the middle. Grade: C

Jamaal Magliore, New Jersey

Magliore will bang around some in the paint and attack every up-for-grabs offensive rebound (much more so than he does on defense). If his post-up moves are somewhat stiff and studied, they can be effective against both poor and reluctant defenders that he can bully. Conversely, bigger, stronger opponents can make Magliore flinch. Passing is not his game, and double-teams turn him into a turnover machine. Magloire provides adequate insurance in case Nenad Krstic fails to make a full recovery from his injury. And, should Krstic be A-OK, his ability to knock down 15-footers just might compliment Magloire's inside presence well enough to constitute a relatively formidable front-court combo in the weak-kneed Eastern Conference. Certainly a much better alliance than Krstic and Moore would have been. Grade: C+

Derek Fisher, Los Angeles Lakers

All of the legalities haven't been fully satisfied, but this transaction will certainly be consummated shortly. When it is, the Lakers will have the experienced guard they've missed since Fisher signed with Golden State in 2004. His widely celebrated clutch shooting and stubborn defense will be welcomed, as will his total mastery of the triangle offense. Fisher compensates for his relative slowness afoot by smartly drawing charges and by avoiding egregious mistakes at both ends of the court. While he's not the tall, long-limbed backcourtsman that Phil Jackson pines for (which enables the quick-switching defense that PJ desires), Fisher is a huge plus. Not the least of what Fisher brings is the fact that during his previous tenure in L.A. he was the only player on the team who was close to Kobe. Grade: A-

Morris Peterson, New Orleans

Mo-Pete was often buried on the bench in the Raptors' overhaul, but he remains a slasher-driver-shooter-creator-runner who can score in a variety of ways. The more he plays, the better he plays. Look for him to have a big season with the Hornets. Grade: A-

Chauncey Billups, Detroit

Ever since Larry Brown left, Billups has lost his way. In Flip Saunders' iso-oriented scheme, Billlups basically delivers the ball to whichever teammate has been tabbed to take the shot. Billups gets to shoot only when the other guys are firing blanks, or when he's on the plus-side of a glaring mismatch. Gone are the days when Billups orchestrated a quick-hitting, cohesive team-offense and got his shots within the flow. Now he's just another guy waiting in line with a number in his hand. That's why his offensive output has been so erratic.

So, if the return to the Motor City is a good deal for the Pistons, Billups would have been better served gong elsewhere. Grade: A for the Pistons, C- for Billups

Gerald Wallace, Charlotte

Wallace was, and will continue to be, the best player on the Bobcats. The only soft spots in Wallace's arsenal are his propensity to pick up fouls (mostly because of his aggressive defense), his free-throw shooting, and his turnovers. In Wallace and Jason Richardson (if he stays healthy), Charlotte now boasts one of the finest sets of wingmen in the league. Grade: A

Matt Carroll, Charlotte

Every team needs a dead-eye shooter, and that's what Carroll provides for the Bobcats. The bonus is Carroll's athleticism and mobility. True, his defense is barely adequate and he mishandles the ball too often, but he's surely good at what he's supposed to do. Grade: B

Jerry Stackhouse, Dallas

Why change a good thing? Stackhouse is an explosive scorer who can still bust to the middle, shoulder an opponent to create space for his fade away jumper, or drain 3-balls from either corner. Sure, Stackhouse isn't a solid defender, and doesn't deliver in the clutch — but this only makes him a perfect fit in a team loaded with players sporting similar flaws. Grade: C

Devean George, Dallas

Along with Greg Buckner, George represents the only Mavs who can play major league defense in the backcourt. Too bad George has trouble staying healthy. But his being prone to missing clutch shots isn't a factor with Dallas since he's usually on the bench in the endgame watching others do the same. Grade: C-

Matt Bonner, San Antonio

A big-time long-distance shooter and earnest banger, Bonner is in the process of learning how to defend and play according to Pop's high standards. In granting him a three-year contract, the Spurs are demonstrating their belief that sooner rather than later he'll become a useful player. How could anybody question their judgment? Grade: B

Jacque Vaughn, San Antonio

Fabricio Oberto, San Antonio

Where else would this guy have fit in so well? He can't jump, shoot, run, handle, block shots, move laterally, or use his left hand. But he can play bump and grind defense on post-up players until he picks up his usual early fouls. And he's always in the right place at the right time. Grade: A