The free agent talent pool is rather shallow this season, and features mostly shooting guards like Ray Allen, Larry Hughes and Michael Redd, but this does not mean there will not be heavy movement.

Gigantic Shaq or TMac trades are unlikely, but Steve Francis' and Paul Pierce?s name will continue to circle around the league and there will be several sign-and-trade deals, which should result in an exciting Third Season for the NBA.

Atlanta:

- Obinna Ekezie Unrestricted F.A., Tom Gugliotta Unrestricted F.A., Tyronn Lue Unrestricted F.A., Michael Stewart Unrestricted F.A., James Thomas Restricted F.A., Kevin Willis Atlanta F.A.

The Hawks have heaps of cap room, a logjam at their swingman spots and a need for a point guard and center.  Half those needs will be melt in the offseason and the other half will be met when Al Harrington is traded, which will come in February.

Tyrone Lue is not a starting point guard, even on the Hawks, even on a Rec League Hawks team and they will thus go after Damon Jones.

Rotation Projection:
PG: D. Jones
SG: Childress
SF: M. Williams
PF: Harrington
C: Swift
Bench: J. Smith. Ekezie, Delk

Boston:

- Gary Payton Unrestricted F.A., Antoine Walker Unrestricted F.A.

Since the Celtics have only two free agents this summer who aren?t expected to return and with a youth movement well underway, the potential trade of franchise player Paul Pierce will be the focal point of the Boston offseason.

There is a school of thought that Pierce should be moved during the season after they see how NBA ready Gerald Green actually is, but as New Orleans can surely tell you, in-season trades don?t yield the same kind of value as off-season trades do.  

Danny Ainge is on a high, coming out of two successful drafts back to back and with Walker and Payton gone, the Boston GM will aggressively pursue a Pierce trade, and may just get one with the Clippers, where Bobby Simmons and Chris Wilcox would be sent to Boston.  The Clippers promise and drafting of a 17 year-old is a tip-off that this trade could happen.

Rotation Projection:
PG: West
SG: Davis
SF: Simmons
PF: Jefferson
C: Wilcox
Bench: Green, LaFrentz, Perkins, T. Allen, Gomes, Blount

Charlotte:

- Cory Alexander Unrestricted F.A., Malik Allen Unrestricted F.A., Keith Bogans Restricted F.A., Matt Carroll Restricted F.A., Jason Kapono Restricted F.A., Brevin Knight Unrestricted F.A., Kareem Rush Unrestricted F.A., Theron Smith Restricted F.A., Gerald Wallace Restricted F.A.

It is tough to criticize the Bobcats draft, but it is also tough to get excited about it.  Same goes for their upcoming off-season.  They aren?t expected to make any major moves whatsoever, save for a few re-signings here and there to round out their roster.

Rotation Projection:
PG: Felton
SG: Bogans
SF: Kapono
PF: May
C: Okafor
Bench: Rush, Knight, Ely, Wallace

Chicago:

- Tyson Chandler Restricted F.A., Eddy Curry Restricted F.A., Chris Duhon Restricted F.A., Lawrence Funderburke Unrestricted F.A., Adrian Griffin Unrestricted F.A., Othella Harrington Unrestricted F.A., Jannero Pargo Restricted F.A., Jared Reiner Restricted F.A., Frank Williams Unrestricted F.A.

The look of the Bulls frontcourt for the next five seasons depends on what is decided during this off-season.  John Paxson must make critical decisions on Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry.  Curry?s medical tests have come back promising and after he had his best season to date in 2005, there is little reason to believe that he won?t be back in a Bulls uniform.  Same goes for Chandler.  

There will be several teams who will make very serious runs at both players, but it is unlikely that either player will leave Chicago.  They were the most dangerous team in the Eastern Conference before Curry and Luol Deng were sidelined and they nearly defeated the Wizards in the first round despite missing those two players, along with having an injured Ben Gordon.

The Chris Duhon experiment is likely over, but there is an excellent chance that Jay Williams comes back to the Bulls for the minimum after they treated him so generously following his motorcycle accident.

Also look for the Bulls to sign Toni Kukoc to his final NBA contract where it all began.

Rotation Projection:
PG: Hinrich
SG: Gordon
SF: Nocioni
PF: Chandler
C: Curry
Bench: Davis, Deng, Harrington, Kukoc, J. Williams

Cleveland:

- DeSagana Diop Restricted F.A., Zydrunas Ilgauskas Unrestricted F.A., Jeff McInnis Unrestricted F.A., Robert Traylor Unrestricted F.A., Dajuan Wagner Unrestricted F.A., Scott Williams Unrestricted F.A.

The first move of the off-season was a solid one when they hired Mike Brown to become head coach.

The second move of the off-season was a brilliant one when they hired Danny Ferry to become GM.

Ferry got to work right away by dealing Jiri Welsh and later acquiring Martynas Andriuskevicius.

With a ton of cap room and the game?s most dominant non-power forward, Ferry is in an excellent situation.  As his mentor RC Buford has done in San Antonio with Tim Duncan, Ferry will do likewise with LeBron James and that is surrounding a great player with not necessarily great players, but great pieces.  

He will of course pursue Michael Redd and Ray Allen, but will likely end up with a cheaper and more versatile option in Antonio Daniels.

Shareef Abdur-Rahim is another player that will be brought into Cleveland.  He has become a very underrated talent and would excel on a court that has LeBron James prominently on it.  

These two free-agent signings and the natural maturation of LeBron James will not only get the Cavaliers to the playoffs, but also will allow them to avoid the Heat and the Pistons or Pacers in the first round.

Rotation Projection:
PG: Daniels
SG: James
SF: Abdur-Rahim
PF: Gooden
C: Ilgauskas
Bench: Varejao, Newble

Detroit:

- Elden Campbell Unrestricted F.A., Darvin Ham Unrestricted F.A., Horace Jenkins Detroit Restricted F.A.

The Pistons have one of the most favorable salary cap situations in the league, as none of their key rotation guy?s will be free agents for several years to come.  Carlos Delfino will be shipped out on the plane that is ready for Larry Brown should the coach decide to stay and Elden Campbell will be asked back, but sources have said he would like to finish out his career in Los Angeles and they could certainly use him.

Rumors of a Paul Pierce for Richard Hamilton and Carlos Arroyo trade are absurd.  Joe Dumars will not interfere with a core that had a nine-point lead in the 3rd quarter of Game 7.  

He will add Allan Houston is set to be waived by the Knicks.  Houston gives the Pistons a 3-point threat that they have not had for several seasons now.

Rotation Projection:
PG: Billups
SG: Hamilton
SF: Prince
PF: R. Wallace
C: B. Wallace
Bench: McDyess, Hunter, Houston, Arroyo, Darko

Indiana:

- Dale Davis Unrestricted F.A., John Edwards Restricted F.A., James Jones Restricted F.A.

The Pacers kicked off the 2004 off-season right away with the Al Harrington/Stephen Jackson trade and contrary to rumors about a Jonathan Bender trade, the Pacers 2005-2006 roster will look much like it did during Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, except with one major addition, Ron Artest.

There is a sense of what could have been in Indiana, as they were the East?s best club before the Detroit incident and Donnie Walsh and Larry Bird want to see how that team performs, of course sans Reggie Miller, but Danny Granger was an excellent pick-up and they will give the Pistons a run for their money in the extremely difficult Central Division.

Rotation Projection:
PG: Tinsley
SG: Artest
SF: S. Jackson
PF: O?Neal
C: Foster
Bench: D. Granger, F. Jones, D. Davis

Miami:

- Shandon Anderson Unrestricted F.A., Udonis Haslem Restricted F.A., Christian Laettner Unrestricted F.A., Steve Smith Unrestricted F.A., Wang Zhizhi Unrestricted F.A.

Two-fifths of Miami?s 2004-2005 roster will be gone, as Damon Jones and Udonis Haslem have played themselves out of town or at least out of the starting rotation.  Earl Watson would be a be an upgrade to stabilize the point guard situation.  Damon Jones is a more talented player, but his performance in the final moments of Game 7 against the Pistons sealed his fate.

Rotation Projection:
PG: Watson
SG: Wade
SF: E. Jones
PF: Simien
C: O?Neal
Bench: Mourning, Dooling

Milwaukee:

- Marcus Fizer Unrestricted F.A., Dan Gadzuric Restricted F.A., Anthony Goldwire Unrestricted F.A., Toni Kukoc Unrestricted F.A., Zaza Pachulia Restricted F.A., Daniel Santiago Unrestricted F.A., Erick Strickland Unrestricted F.A.

The priority of the Milwaukee Bucks this off-season is doing absolutely everything they can to re-sign Michael Redd.  Even before the Bucks landed the number one pick and Andrew Bogut, Redd was beginning to hint that he?d be back in Milwaukee and his signing has become a mere formality.  They can pay him more than any other team and are prepared and willing to do so.  Milwaukee is in the toughest division in the NBA and the playoffs are still a year or two away, but the franchise is now on the right track.

Hiring a coach is also on the docket, but you?ve got a collection of very coachable players and a pure X?s and O?s coach is what is needed here.

The progress of T.J. Ford?s comeback will also be critical, as he was becoming the 2003?s Draft best point guard before suffering a freak injury.

Rotation Projection:
PG: M. Williams
SG: Redd
SF: Mason
PF: J. Smith
C: Bogut
Bench: Ford, Gadzuric

New Jersey:

- Travis Best Unrestricted F.A., Rodney Buford Unrestricted F.A., Clifford Robinson Unrestricted F.A., Brian Scalabrine Unrestricted F.A., Jabari Smith Unrestricted F.A., Billy Thomas Unrestricted F.A.

Whispers of a Jason Kidd trade will echo throughout the league, but it is doubtful that the kind of value that they can get in return would be worth breaking up the conference?s most explosive backcourt.  

The cap space won?t be there to sign a major power forward free agent like Abdur-Rahim or Swift, so only a minor signing like Rodney Rogers will be made.

Rotation Projection:
PG: Kidd
SG: Carter
SF: Jefferson
PF: Collins
C: Kristic
Bench: Wright, Scalabrine, Best

New York:

- Jermaine Jackson Unrestricted F.A. Bruno Sundov Unrestricted F.A.

The Knicks launched the player movement of the 2005 offseason when they agreed to trade Kurt Thomas to the Suns for Quentin Richardson and a number one draft choice, who became Nate Robinson.

By jettisoning Thomas and the anticipated waiving of Allan Houston, Isiah Thomas has successfully turned over the entire Knicks roster in a season and a half, with the exception of 2003 lottery pick Mike Sweetney.

As is the case every offseason, the Knicks will be very active in both free agency, as well as the exploration of trade scenarios, primarily the expiring contracts of Tim Thomas and Penny Hardaway.

T. Thomas will likely be retained until February as Isiah believes that this current Knicks club might be able to fight for a playoff spot in the weak Atlantic Division.

The small ball they hope to play could instantly click and Stephon Marbury, Jamal Crawford and Quentin Richardson could become the 2005-2006 version of Steve Nash, Joe Johnson and Quentin Richardson.

Of course there is no Amare Stoudemire or Shawn Marion in the New York frontcourt, but they can be found, admittedly at a much lesser level.  Crawford will help recruit good friend and former teammate Eddy Curry, while free agents Stromile Swift and Antoine Walker will also be on the Knicks? radar.

Swift will price himself out of New York, but Walker will be had for the midlevel exception and would be a perfect fit in the Knicks new system.  He is thought of by many as a player who disrupts a team?s offense, so it is unlikely that another team would offer him any more than New York.

Isiah also needs to find a head coach and Bill Laimbeer is the leading candidate at the moment, but the search will likely linger for several weeks, as Larry Brown's health continues to sort itself out.

Rotation Projection:
PG: Marbury
SG: Richardson
SF: T. Thomas
PF: Walker
C: Frye
Bench: Crawford, Ariza, Sweetney

Orlando:

- Andre Barrett Restricted F.A., Andrew DeClercq Unrestricted F.A., Brandon Hunter Restricted F.A., Mark Jones Restricted F.A.

The Magic have the potential to be the most active team in the Eastern Conference once again this summer.  Last year it was the Tracy McGrady trade and this year it may very well be a Steve Francis trade as the Magic know that the future begins and ends with Dwight Howard.  The organization is set to do identically what the Suns were able to do with Amare Stoudemire.

Minnesota is a potential Francis trade partner.  The expiring contracts of Sam Cassell, Michael Olowokandi and change would get it done and give the Magic salary cap flexibility into the future to find a dynamic pass first point guard.

The Wizards? Steve Blake is a likely free agent signing, as is Kerry Kittles, who battled injuries in 2005 and would come cheaply.

Rotation Projection:
PG: Sam Cassell
SG: Kittles
SF: Hill
PF: Howard
C: Cato
Bench: Vazquez, Turkoglu, Blake

Philadelphia:

- Matt Barnes Restricted F.A., Samuel Dalembert Restricted F.A., Josh Davis Restricted F.A., Willie Green Restricted F.A., Kyle Korver Restricted F.A., Rodney Rogers Unrestricted F.A.

Samuel Dalembert has unpacked those bags that Jim O?Brien had so eagerly packed for him last year.  He will be staying in Philadelphia.

As will Chris Webber, who has been a candidate for luxury tax relief, but he still has productive season?s left.

As will Allen Iverson, who is always the subject of trade rumors, but he sells out the Wachovia Center and is still pound for pound the best player in the game.

Jeff McInnis? early exit last season cost him a lot and the Sixers will get him on the cheap.

Rotation Projection:
PG: Iverson
SG: McInnis
SF: Iguodala
PF: Webber
C: Dalembert
Bench: Korver, Green, M. Jackson, Rogers

Toronto:

- Matt Bonner Restricted F.A., Omar Cook Unrestricted F.A., Donyell Marshall Unrestricted F.A., Milt Palacio  Unrestricted F.A.

Bashing Rob Babcock has become a favorite trend, but you have to ask yourself are the Raptors in better shape now than when he took over, and I?m inclined to say they are.  

Villanueva was a surprise pick at nine, but he was the right pick and will be an immediate help filling the void created by the departure of Donyell Marshall.  

A Jalen Rose trade/release could happen, but won?t this summer, mainly because the Atlantic Division is so weak and Babcock seriously believes that they contend for that third seed in the playoffs.  With Boston and New York on the cusp of rebuliding projects and injury problems in New Jersey and Philadelphia, there is no doubt that they can compete.

Rotation Projection:
PG: Alston
SG: Peterson
SF: Rose
PF: Bosh
C: Woods
Bench: Villanueva, Graham, Ukic

Washington:

- Steve Blake Restricted F.A., Damone Brown Unrestricted F.A., Kwame Brown Restricted F.A.m Juan Dixon Unrestricted F.A., Larry Hughes Unrestricted F.A., Anthony Peeler Unrestricted F.A., Laron Profit Unrestricted F.A., Michael Ruffin Unrestricted F.A.

Priority number one is re-signing Larry Hughes, that is clear.  There are several clubs terribly interested in the versatile guard, including the Cavaliers, Nuggets and Hawks.  

Priority number two is deciding whether or not they want to retain Kwame Brown.  Despite suspending him during the playoffs, all reports indicate that they would like him back and only if a team, say Atlanta, throws a ridiculous sum of money his way, will they not match.  Washington still wants a return on their first overall pick investment and he shows flashes of being a very competent player.  If he stays then it might be an exit for Etan Thomas via trade, and he would likely be included in a Hughes sign-and-trade if they?re forced to go that route.

Steve Blake?s days in Washington will likely be over, but his Maryland teammate Juan Dixon should return.

Rotation Projection:
PG: Arenas
SG: Hughes
SF: Jeffries
PF: Jamison
C: Haywood
Bench: K. Brown, Dixon

Christopher Reina is the executive editor of RealGM.com and may be reached at Christopher.Reina@RealGM.com.