What is the common denominator linking the success of the Nets, Pistons, and Celtics?  Peter May of ESPN.com has an answer that might surprise you: the Phoenix Suns.

The three lottery teams from a year ago all made trades with Phoenix that helped turn their teams around.  The Nets doubled their win total with Jason Kidd, the Pistons turned their record from 32-50 to 50-32 (largely thanks to the addition of Cliff Robinson), and the Celtics have a .642 winning percentage since trading for Rodney Rogers and Tony Delk in February.

So maybe Jerry Colangelo should be nominated for Executive of the Year.  After all, he did get three teams into the playoffs.  Unfortunately none of those teams played in Phoenix where the Suns were 15 games worse than a year ago.