If Tom Thibodeau and Scott Layden's first offseason is any indication of how they'll operate over the next few years - tempered, shrewd and logical - the Timberwolves will eventually do what everyone expects: Devour. Read more »

James Harden has the makings of a player we can enjoy but he needs recontextualization. He needs a coach who won't try to remake him so much as construct a system that urges him to play in the surprising, spectacular fashion of which he's capable. Read more »

While the Pelicans looked for healthy bodies, the Spurs, Rockets, Grizzlies and Rockets made significant changes to their core. Read more »

Paul George has three years left on his contract, and the Pacers can't yet see a path toward keeping him. But at least they're instituting a stylistic shift that highlights his most appealing attributes and is more aesthetically pleasing. Read more »

Lumbering paint-cloggers are on their way out, or at least more marginalized than they have ever been. But the Lakers still signed Timofey Mozgov to a $64M deal. Read more »

The results of those losing seasons are a crop of promising young players drafted to replace Nerlens Noel, who has never been given a real platform or environment to be utilized. Read more »

Half-ironic folk hero Sam Hinkie got one thing right. He seemed, for a little while, like he might be able to control what's beyond control. He sold Philadelphia an absurd promise, which is what they asked for. Read more »

While the Wizards and Hornets largely are bringing back the same teams, the Magic, Hawks and Heat enter 16-17 with meaningful changes to their roster. Read more »

Dwyane Wade's transfer back to Chicago endears him to just about everyone and elevates his voice to higher, more audible air as he makes his graceful transition to post-basketball relevance. Read more »

Technically, every NBA draft alters the course of basketball history, but 2011's was special. Five years later, it presents dozens of significant What Ifs? Read more »

The Hornets certainly need Kemba Walker in order to win games, they also need him from an aesthetic perspective to enliven what would otherwise be a middling squad grimly managing its own deficiencies. Read more »

The Grizzlies have gotten weird by staying the same, playing backwater basketball, some untouched-by-wifi setup with two big men and a bunch of wings who don't want to shoot. Read more »

With Frank Vogel as coach, and players like Bismack Biyombo and Serge Ibaka added to their roster, the Magic will be improved on defense. Evan Fournier will be relied upon more heavily to provide efficient offense. Read more »

Unlike the foundational pieces of the Wolves and Jazz, Devin Booker and Dragan Bender just have to knock down shots and develop in other areas at a reasonable pace. The talent surrounding them allows Phoenix to be relatively competitive if they manage to do that. Read more »

While the Warriors improved a 73-win team by signing Kevin Durant and the Clippers largely preserved the status quo, the Lakers, Suns and Kings are trying to accelerate their rebuilds. Read more »

A lot has changed for Karl-Anthony Towns, D'Angelo Russell, Jahlil Okafor, Kristaps Porzingis and Mario Hezonja since they were drafted just over a year ago. Read more »

Mike D'Antoni expects James Harden to average between 11 and 12 assists per game. To achieve this level of playmaking, Harden will need to buy in to D'Antoni's philosophy. Read more »

Beyond saving the Kings for Sacramento, it's been all bulletproof gargantua and townspeople fleeing for their lives during the ownership of Vivek Ranadive. Read more »

While the Cavaliers spent their offseason maintaining their title team, the Bulls, Pacers, Bucks and Pistons looked to reshape larger parts of their roster. Read more »

Matthew Dellavedova plays like someone who breaks the social contract in grocery stores, zooming through the aisles, bludgeoning other customers with his cart, reaching over your shoulder to grab a nectarine. Read more »