The Lakers reloaded with a few dependable vets to go along with the return of Kobe Bryant and Julius Randle, and the selection of D'Angelo Russell to at least up their win total from last season. Read more »

The Kings can become a playoff team if DeMarcus Cousins buys in on both ends of the floor, Rudy Gay spends a lot of time as a stretch 4 and the Rajon Rondo/Marco Belinelli additions fit in. Read more »

Improving the Pelicans may need to come from going small in the frontcourt and Terrence Jones is the perfect gettable player to pair with Anthony Davis. Read more »

Bird rights (named after Larry Bird) are exceptions to the salary cap that allow teams to retain players, typically those who have spent continuous time on that team. Read more »

If the Thunder re-sign Kevin Durant, it is highly likely the team will look basically the same as it does now for the next couple of seasons, but that's if they continue their current financial trajectory. Read more »

Everything the 76ers do is with the long-term in mind. The underlying logic behind Hinkie's plan is the best way to win a championship is to have a Top 5 player and the best way to get those guys is at the top of the draft. Read more »

With few changes after a disappointing season, the Suns will be banking on some internal improvement and continuity to get back into playoff contention. Read more »

Thanks to some offseason recruiting and a risky trade for Lance Stephenson, the Clippers finally have something that haven't had in the Lob City era: depth. Read more »

Three of the top five players in the NBA, all in the prime of their career, all playing in max space. One team playing to be a dynasty (and potentially a KD thief) against a team that should have been one. Read more »

On how frequently the Warriors will use their Draymond at center lineup, how the offense may evolve without Alvin Gentry and the importance of Klay Thompson. Read more »

Disassociate all of Isaiah Thomas's statistics from his contentious persona, preposterous physical features. What you have is one of the most devastating offensive instruments in the NBA. Read more »

The Bucks need to find enough shooting, get a bump on offense from Greg Monroe without sacrificing on D, while bringing along Jabari, Giannis and MCW. Read more »

Playoff LaMarcus & aging guards for the Spurs, more depth & Golden State for the Rockets, Mike Conley and the wing for the Grizzlies, AD at the 5 & Jrue's health for the Pelicans and pure-4-out basketball and Dirk's D for the Mavs. Read more »

Aside from Paul George's concerns, the Pacers have shown a united front as they transition into a different team. This isn't a change being made to matchup with a playoff opponent or to cover holes created by injury, it's the new long-term philosophy. Read more »

The Cavaliers are in championship or bust mode. The regular season will be used as a lab to zero in on their best form, particularly in devising ways of getting more out of Kevin Love. Read more »

If the Rockets win a title, it doesn't necessarily mean Dwight Howard has changed as a person or that we need to re-evaluate the rest of his career. It just means that he was in a better situation for his talents and the ball bounced his team's way. Read more »

The Pacers went through drastic makeover then the Pacers, with David West and Roy Hibbert and their "power basketball" identity gone. In their place is a sleeker, faster roster that will be anchored by Paul George's switch to PF. Read more »

If Fred Hoiberg's approach doesn't compromise an already slipping defense, Derrick Rose stays (relatively) healthy and Jimmy Butler's explosion last year proves real, the Bulls can remain near the top of the East. Read more »

If Denver can develop Emmanuel Mudiay and Jusuf Nurkic, hit a home run in this year's lottery, flip Wilson Chandler for some good young assets and find some usable parts out of the rest of their young talent, they shouldn't be on the downswing for too long. Read more »

After an incredibly strange season, the Pistons look to Year 2 of the Stan Van Gundy era with success now and going forward hinging on the chemistry and development of Andre Drummond and Reggie Jackson. Read more »