Chauncey Billups is questionable for the Pistons' game against the Clippers in Los Angeles on Saturday after flying home for a personal matter, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Is it unknown as to when Billups will rejoin the team.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have bought out the remainder of Theo Ratliff's contract, and according to the Detroit News the veteran center will sign with the Detroit Pistons.

The signing cannot take place until Ratliff clears waivers in 48 hours.

This edition of the RealGM Team Rankings will speak to this past week?s deadline deals that were made and that weren?t made.  We have a new fiery-hot team at the top of the list and an old familiar face breaking its way back into the top 5.  The biggest rise in the rankings this week goes to the money-pick again for this year?s champion, the San Antonio Spurs (up from No. 8 to No. 3) while the biggest drop belongs to the sagging Atlanta Hawks (No. 19 to No. 13).

The format is simple.  The rankings reflect each team?s current ranking, along with their ranking from the last week (LW), and their current win-loss record.  

1. (2) Los Angeles Lakers 39-17

The Lakers have been absurdly hot since the Pau Gasol trade.  Imagine how sick they are going to be when Andrew Bynum returns.

2. (1) Detroit Pistons 41-15

Detroit made minor tweaks at the deadline and virtually swapped Juan Dixon for Flip Murray and added beef to the front line with Dale Davis.

3. (8) San Antonio Spurs 38-17

The Spurs stormed their way back to the top of the West with a 6-game winning streak and 10 wins in their past 11.  The Kurt Thomas and Damon Stoudamire pickups were at no cost and will pay huge dividends in the playoffs.

4. (3) Utah Jazz 36-20

As much as you've heard about the Jazz turnaround after the acquisition of Kyle Korver (20-4 since), he may very well challenge Gasol as the top addition of the season.

5. (4) New Orleans Hornets 37-18

A 3-game losing streak gives the Hornets their first bump in the road since the start of the year.  Mike James and Bonzi Wells should step in to provide some scoring and pop off the bench.

- Click 'Read' to see where the other 25 teams are ranked.

Dale Davis is very close to officially becoming a member of the Pistons, according to the Detroit News.

After waiving Flip Murray it was widely believed that Joe Dumars would like to sign Davis, who hasn't played all season.

The News has reported that Davis has agreed to the prorated veteran's minimum and that his signing is pending a physical.

According to the team's official website, the Pistons cut guard Flip Murray on Friday.

The move was not unexpected, and it sets the team up to chase a big man such as Dale Davis.

Murray's role will be taken over by newly acquired guard Juan Dixon.

The acquistion of Juan Dixon from the Raptors on Thursday leads many to believe that the Pistons aren't done making moves this season, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Chances are that Detroit will buyout the contract of guard Flip Murray and look to sign a big man, like free agent Dale Davis.

The Pistons sent Primoz Brezec to Toronto for guard Juan Dixon.

Dixon, 29, averaged 4.3 points and 11.8 minutes in 36 games for the Raptors this season.

Click here to read RealGM's 'Grading The Deal' for this move

Detroit guard Richard Hamilton has food poisoning and could miss the team's game against Atlanta on Tuesday night.

If Hamilton is forced to sit, Arron Afflalo will likely start in his place.

Detroit Pistons forward Rasheed Wallace has been named by NBA  Commissioner David Stern to replace injured East All-Star Kevin  Garnett (abdominal muscle strain) of the Boston Celtics for the 2008 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 17 in New Orleans.

Wallace  will  be making his fourth NBA All-Star appearance.  East All-Star head  coach  Doc  Rivers  will  determine  which  player on his roster will replace Garnett in the starting line-up.

The  NBA  All-Star  Game  on Sunday, Feb. 17, will air live on TNT and ESPN Radio  beginning  at 8 p.m. EST. The game will also be telecast in over 200 countries and broadcast on NBA.com.

A trailer full of fireworks for use in the Detroit Pistons' pregame festivities has been stolen, the Associated Press is reporting.

The theft was discovered Sunday morning by employees of Windsor, Ontario-based Band-Ayd Systems International Inc. at a company facility in Warren.

Band-Ayd President Nino De Benedetti says the trailer contains about $75,000 worth of pyrotechnics and gear, and the trailer itself is worth $8,000. The trailer held liquid propane and noisemaking devices.

The company is offering a $5,000 reward for the return of the equipment, no questions asked.