When the Nets traded the seventh overall pick, Seton Hall's Eddie Griffin, for Richard Jefferson, AND Jason Collins, AND Brandon Armstrong on draft night four months ago, the consensus opinion was rather simple: What were they thinking? They traded Griffin, a player considered a possible top overall draft pick at one point -- albeit one with attitudinal issues -- for three lower first-round picks, Nos. 13, 18, and 23. They traded a potentially premier player for three uncertainties.

Fast forward four months and consider this question: Griffin for Jefferson, straight up -- who gets the better of that deal? Two games into their regular season, the Nets don't make that trade. Like Jefferson, Griffin is a backup who played 11 minutes, scored three points, and grabbed three boards behind starting forwards Glen Rice and Kenny Thomas in Houston's regular-season opener. Even with projected starter Maurice Taylor out for the season, Griffin isn't expected to play much more.