It is far better to give (it back) than receive (this junk)

The malls have been overrun with people returning holiday gifts they have no use for. It's a tradition as synonymous with this time of year as caroling and lights.

Think there aren't NBA teams who would love to put the same practice into use? Try all 30. Too bad that a receipt can't do the trick, but if it could, who would be returned? What would be done differently?

Time to name names.

Instead of hot-and-cold Adam Morrison, the Bobcats probably wish they had taken a Rudy Gay. (Getty Images)

Atlanta: Shelden Williams has done a nice job filling his role -- rebounding, setting picks and defending -- in his rookie season. However, he's not going to win you games. Randy Foye does that. After passing up on Chris Paul, Deron Williams and Raymond Felton two seasons ago, the Hawks let another prized point guard get away in this past draft.

Boston: Sebastian Telfair was benched earlier this week, and Doc Rivers said it would likely "last the season, unless something changes." Telfair has slumped offensively and is a liability defensively, slipping into the dog house. Point guard of the future? Maybe not.

Charlotte: Adam Morrison hasn't exactly panned out the way the Bobcats envisioned when they drafted him at No. 3. He's too hot and cold, and his defense has been expectedly suspect. Brandon Roy seems like the more complete player. The Bobcats were said to have really been enamored with him and Rudy Gay.

Chicago: Did the Bulls overpay Ben Wallace? That depends on whether he can help take them to the NBA Finals. There's no such gray area where P.J. Brown is concerned. Dealing Tyson Chandler for him has been such a mistake that Brown, the consummate pro throughout his career, has asked to be traded. He just doesn't feel he fits in. Apparently, Scott Skiles feels the same way.

Cleveland: David Wesley has fallen behind rookie Daniel Gibson in Mike Brown's rotation. Signing another veteran guard seemed like gluttony for mediocrity when they inked Wesley. Now we know that to be true.

Dallas: The Mavericks wanted another big man who could shoot, thus taking the place of the departed Keith Van Horn. Austin Croshere fit the bill, but hasn't provided the goods. He's also not tall enough to defend centers the way Van Horn could.

Denver: Think the Nuggets are even leaving the house now that they have Allen Iverson? That's like getting a PlayStation 3 right before a blizzard. There won't be any complaining out of Denver for a while, though I'm sure Carmelo Anthony has a punch he'd like to take back.

Detroit: The Pistons might have been seeking a refund on Nazr Mohammed as recently as a few weeks ago, but their new center seems like he's finally getting acclimated. Joe Dumars hasn't been wrong very often the past few seasons.

Golden State: Had Don Nelson been in control this past June, rookie Patrick O'Bryant wouldn't have been a Warrior. There's no doubt about that. Versatile super athletes like Rodney Carney, Thabo Sefolosha and Ronnie Brewer would've made more sense, given Nellie's run-and-gun style.

Houston: Don't even think for a second that the Rockets would try and get rid of Bonzi Wells. Not only did they get him at a bargain rate, but they need all the quality bodies they can get while their injury curse continues.