Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division
Boston Celtics
Predicted finish: Second
There is a lot of optimism in Boston after the Celtics made the playoffs for the first time in the Brad Stevens Era. David Lee was one of several veterans to join the team this offseason and will drastically improve their frontcourt. The improvement of other teams in the East will likely force the Celtics to have more wins than losses to get into the dance this time.
Brooklyn Nets
Predicted finish: Fourth
The waiving of Deron Williams has settled some uneasiness at point guard and Lionel Hollins will now rely on Jarrett Jack as his starter. The re-signing of Thaddeus Young and Brook Lopez solidified the rest of the Nets' lineup. Lopez and 34 year-old Joe Johnson will be looked upon as the leaders of the team.
New York Knicks
Predicted finish: Third
Fourth overall draft pick, Kristaps Porzingis, is a solid Latvian power forward, but the 20 year-old will not give the Knicks fans the immediate results they hunger for. Porzingis is set to back up Derrick Williams at the four. However, there is reason for optimism, as Phil Jackson signed Arron Afflalo and Robin Lopez in free agency. Afflalo is one of the premier defenders in the league and has also become a strong offensive weapon since he last played with Carmelo Anthony for the Denver Nuggets.
Philadelphia 76ers
Predicted finish: Fifth
Jahlil Okafor will finally be the player the Sixers have been looking for in the lottery for the past three seasons. Nerlens Noel is a solid complimentary piece who will be looked upon more and more as the clock runs out on Joel Embiid. Unfortunately, management has not done an adequate job filling out the roster and more struggles lie ahead for the 76ers.
Toronto Raptors
Predicted finish: First
The two-time defending Atlantic Division Champions are in for another ride to the top. The signing of free agent DeMarre Carroll is a huge addition to the starting lineup. Carroll averaged a career-high 12.6 points-per-game in 69 starts with the Atlanta Hawks last season. The seventh-year small forward will relieve some pressure off of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan and allow Dwane Casey to move the ball around more.
Playoff teams: Raptors
Central Division
Chicago Bulls
Predicted finish: Second
The Bulls moved on from Tom Thibodeau this offseason and brought in Fred Hoiberg, who will make his first appearance as an NBA head coach on opening night. Derrick Rose was already injured in a preseason game and is likely to miss the rest of the preseason recovering from a facial fracture. Elsewhere on the court, the Bulls have 2015 Most Improved Player, Jimmy Butler, who was listed as my number one under-the-radar MVP candidate heading into the 2015-2016.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Predicted finish: First
The Cavaliers are bringing back valuable pieces from their run to the 2015 NBA Finals, but have some concerns heading into the new season. They remain on the wrong side of a disagreement with Tristan Thompson, who is holding out for a new contract. Kyrie Irving is expected to miss the first several months of the season as he continues to recover from a knee injury that forced him to miss all but one game in the Finals. Iman Shumpert, who recently underwent surgery on his wrist, is expected to miss a similar amount of time. Kevin Love will be back with the rest of the bunch for the Cavaliers, who were one of the better second-half teams in the NBA last season.
Detroit Pistons
Predicted finish: Fifth
The loss of Greg Monroe will hurt the Pistons, who brought in two power forwards in Ersan Ilyasova and Marcus Morris to fill the void. Reggie Jackson and Andre Drummond will lead the way on the court as Brandon Jennings recovers from an Achilles injury that forced him to miss half of the 2014-2015 season.
Indiana Pacers
Predicted finish: Fourth
Paul George made one of the speediest recoveries from a broken leg in recent memory and was able to return to the hardwood at the end of the 2014-2015 regular season. But it was George Hill, who also missed significant time last season, that was the real surprise. In 43 games played in 2014-2015, Hill recorded one triple-double, but came close on a number of other occasions, including games in which the seven-year veteran scored in the upper-20s. The addition of Monta Ellis will make for an exciting backcourt, while the loss of Roy Hibbert weakens the Pacers' frontcourt. Indiana will be a bubble team in 2015-2016.
Milwaukee Bucks
Predicted finish: Third
One of the biggest surprises of the 2014-2015 season, the Bucks snagged the sixth seed in the East, but barely held onto a winning record. Jason Kidd was an overshadowed Coach of the Year candidate and the Bucks' 41-41 regular season record was a poor representation of their performance. They were one of the most improved teams and did so without the second overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, Jabari Parker. Parker, who is still recovering from a torn ACL, will be an integral part of the Bucks' lineup after losing Zaza Pachulia and Ersan Ilyasova this offseason.
Playoff teams: Bulls, Cavaliers, Pacers, Bucks
Southeast Division
Atlanta Hawks
Predicted finish: First
The addition of Tiago Splitter opens up a variety of opportunities for the Hawks offense. Splitter is a strong distributor and improves the forward position behind Al Horford and Paul Millsap. The loss of DeMarre Carroll to free agency thins out the Hawks' bench and will put added pressure on Kyle Korver, who struggled in the team's run to the Eastern Conference Finals. 2015 Coach of the Year, Mike Budenholzer, had the second highest win total of any coach last season and still has a great group to work with.
Charlotte Hornets
Predicted finish: Fourth
The Hornets had one of the busier offseasons and brought in a flock of new faces. In a trade that send Gerald Henderson and Noah Vonleh to the Portland Trail Blazers, the Hornets acquired Nicolas Batum. They also traded for Jeremy Lamb and signed Jeremy Lin. Ninth overall draft pick, Frank Kaminsky, is another solid addition to the Hornets, who received bad news in the preseason. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist suffered a torn labrum and is likely to miss the entire regular season.
Miami Heat
Predicted finish: Second
In one of the more successful offseasons, Goran Dragic, Luol Deng, and Dwyane Wade all returned to Miami with new deals. The Heat also brought in veterans Gerald Green and Amar'e Stoudemire. Health will be the biggest factor for the oldest team in the NBA in 2015-2016. Had Chris Bosh not been sidelined with blood clots in his lung last season, it would have been entirely feasible for the Heat to make the playoffs. Look for them to come back motivated for a return shot this season.
Orlando Magic
Predicted finish: Fifth
The Magic have one of the best young rosters in all of basketball. They have relied heavily on draft picks to build their team, but are still several seasons away from returning to prominence. Victor Oladipo and Elfrid Payton have been the more promising talents, while Nikola Vucevic had a breakout season in 2014-2015. Aaron Gordon, whose 2014-2015 season was shortened due to a leg injury, showcased his explosiveness in the 47 games in which he played. Scott Skiles is entering his first season as head coach of the Magic and brings 13 years of prior experience.
Washington Wizards
Predicted finish: Third
The Wizards concocted some playoff magic in May, but lost the primary Wizard behind the drama in Paul Pierce. They quickly acquired Jared Dudley, who will help fill the void with Otto Porter. The Wizards also added veteran Gary Neal to their backcourt, which has been the Saving Grace for Randy Wittman.
Playoff teams: Hawks, Heat, Wizards
Western Conference
Pacific Division
Golden State Warriors
Predicted finish: First
The defending champs were able to retain all but one of their players from the 2014-2015 season. David Lee, who contributed stellar minutes in the NBA Finals after starting over Andrew Bogut, was traded to the Celtics to free up space in the salary cap. In turn, the Warriors re-signed key pieces in Draymond Green and Leandro Barbosa. The loss of Lee thins out the frontcourt for Steve Kerr, who has taken a leave of absence from the team. Kerr had a spinal fluid leak that required surgery. There is no current timetable for his return. Luke Walton, who became the team's lead assistant coach when Alvin Gentry left for the head coaching job of the New Orleans Pelicans, will take over as the interim head coach.
Los Angeles Clippers
Predicted finish: Second
The Clippers' offseason was filled with drama, primarily stemming from DeAndre Jordan's change of heart that led to him re-signing with the team. The Clippers were fined for their role in re-recruiting their star center, which was likely worth the investment. They also went out and signed Josh Smith, who adds much-needed depth behind Jordan and Blake Griffin. But their bench first thickened with the surprising addition of Lance Stephenson, who was brought over in a trade that shipped Matt Barnes to the Hornets. The final move of the Clippers' offseason reunited head coach Doc Rivers with Paul Pierce. Pierce will start at small forward and is an upgrade from Barnes.
Los Angeles Lakers
Predicted finish: Third
With the second overall pick in the draft, the Lakers selected point guard D'Angelo Russell out of Ohio State. In what will be Kobe Bryant's final season with the purple and gold, Russell will work with fellow youngster, Julius Randle, who has played well in the preseason. Randle recently made his return from a broken leg he suffered in his very first NBA game that forced him to miss the 2014-2015 season. Elsewhere on the court, the Lakers brought in veteran big men, Roy Hibbert and Brandon Bass. They also signed 2015 Sixth Man of the Year, Louis Williams, who will play an integral role as Bryant's backup.
Phoenix Suns
Predicted finish: Fifth
After blowing up their roster at the trade deadline last season, the Suns continued to lose pieces. Gerald Green and Marcus Morris also left town this past summer. The Suns made a trade to get Brandon Knight in 2015 and the former Bucks point guard will quarterback the offense for Jeff Hornacek. Tyson Chandler was brought in as a free agent and will be a great mentor for rising center, Alex Len. A playoff team for much of the 2014-2015 season, the Suns have a different, but capable roster in 2015-2016. Unfortunately each team in the Pacific Division improved this offseason.
Sacramento Kings
Predicted finish: Fourth
George Karl and DeMarcus Cousins were able to squash their beef and remain with the team, which is a huge step for the 2015-2016 season. The Kings also brought in several other former Kentucky Wildcats in Rajon Rondo and 2015 fifth overall draft pick, Willie Cauley-Stein. It is well-known that Rondo and Cousins are hard players to deal with, but Karl is the right man for the job.
Playoff teams: Warriors, Clippers
Northwest Division
Denver Nuggets
Predicted finish: Fifth
Trading Ty Lawson was easily foreshadowed by the Nuggets' drafting of Emmanuel Mudiay. Mudiay is a tall point guard who last played in China and will develop under the guidance of Jameer Nelson. The Nuggets will do well without the distraction of Lawson, but need more development out of their players. Wilson Chandler and Kenneth Faried are solid forwards, but depend on a point guard to open up the offense. The Nuggets have a weak bench, but are headed in the right direction in the rebuilding phase.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Predicted finish: Second
Flip Saunders has taken a leave of absence after being hospitalized due to complications from cancer treatments. Sam Mitchell will assume the role as head coach of the Timberwolves, who have the number one draft pick as their claim to fame. In a division filled with rebuilding teams, the Wolves will lead the way with young guns like Karl-Anthony Towns, Zach LaVine, and 2015 Rookie of the Year Andrew Wiggins. Veterans Kevin Garnett and Andre Miller will provide invaluable leadership for a well-balanced Wolves lineup.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Predicted finish: First
An injury-rattled 2014-2015 season forced the Thunder to miss the postseason for the first time since the 2008-2009 season. Scott Brooks was fired and the Thunder brought in former Florida head coach, Billy Donovan, as his replacement. The health of 2014 MVP Kevin Durant will be vital in 2015-2016. Durant's chemistry with near-MVP Russell Westbrook is highly anticipated and will need to be better than it has been in past years. The re-signing of Enes Kanter solidifies the post game for the Thunder and should free up opportunities for Serge Ibaka, who also missed time due to injury last season.
Portland Trail Blazers
Predicted finish: Fourth
The Blazers lost four of their five starters and then some this offseason. Damian Lillard is the main man on the remaining roster and will need to play like an MVP if the Blazers hope to return to the postseason. The Blazers are not completely decimated, however, as they were able to bring in Gerald Henderson and Noah Vonleh in a trade with the Hornets. Former Nets center Mason Plumlee also joins the crew and has big shoes to fill in the absence of LaMarcus Aldridge and Robin Lopez.
Utah Jazz
Predicted finish: Third
The Jazz have been one of the more under-the-radar teams in the NBA the past several seasons. Led by Gordon Hayward, the Jazz have a bevy of budding youngsters in their lineup. Rudy Gobert is a promising third-year center, who averaged 2.3 blocks-per-game last season. The Jazz have several other recent draft picks in Trey Burke and Alec Burks who have performed well as of late. However, the Jazz were dealt a crushing blow this summer as their starting point guard, Dante Exum, was lost for a season after tearing his ACL while playing in Australia. Burke and Burks will fill in while other young players on the bench will have increased roles in Exum's absence.
Playoff teams: Thunder
Southwest Division
Dallas Mavericks
Predicted finish: Fifth
The Mavericks were staring at a huge addition in DeAndre Jordan this offseason but were trolled on Twitter and ultimately lost out on the prize. A rejected Tyson Chandler walked away, which forced the Mavs to bring in Zaza Pachulia and JaVale McGee to fill the void at center. The biggest addition, however, came after the Nets waived point guard Deron Williams. The Mavs quickly scooped up the 10-year veteran, who will replace Rajon Rondo and Monta Ellis in the backcourt. Free agent shooting guard Wesley Matthews is another key addition, but the Mavericks have to await his return from an Achilles injury.
Houston Rockets
Predicted finish: Second
The Rockets made a surprising trade during the offseason that brought Ty Lawson to Houston. Lawson will likely overtake Patrick Beverley as the starting point guard. The backcourt of Lawson, Beverley, and James Harden will be dangerous and is undoubtedly the Rockets' biggest strength. The loss of Josh Smith weakens a frontcourt led by an aging Dwight Howard, who has been troubled with back issues the past several seasons. The Rockets were three wins away from reaching the NBA Finals in 2015 and have the same if not slightly better roster in 2015-2016.
Memphis Grizzlies
Predicted finish: Third
The Grizzlies were one of the more pleasant surprises in 2014-2015 and maintained their position atop the Western Conference standings for a good portion of the season. They have a great starting lineup and, while the focal point has traditionally been Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph, the backcourt of Mike Conley and Courtney Lee has been a strongpoint. Conley exceeded expectations last season and is entering a contract year. The addition of Jeff Green several season ago completed the Grizzlies' starting lineup. Matt Barnes, who was brought in via trade this summer, will provide a viable backup to Green at small forward. The lack of depth behind Gasol and Randolph could be the Grizzlies' downfall in 2015-2016.
New Orleans Pelicans
Predicted finish: Fourth
A playoff berth was a huge step for this young Pelicans team. Led by star big man, Anthony Davis, the Pelicans squeaked into the postseason and, although they were swept by the Warriors, there are many points of optimism. The firing of head coach Monty Williams was a tad surprising. His replacement, Alvin Gentry, was the engineer behind the Warriors' offense last season and should accelerate the Pelicans' play. A healthy Jrue Holiday will also be important to their success in 2015-2016.
San Antonio Spurs
Predicted finish: First
The acquisition of LaMarcus Aldridge, alone, drastically improves the Spurs' lineup. Aldridge has been one of the best power forwards in the NBA in recent years and will create quite the duo alongside one of the best power forwards of all time in Tim Duncan. The addition of David West only strengthens the frontcourt and preserves what has been one of the better second teams in the league. The re-signing of Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green will prove to be pivotal as the Spurs set out to dethrone the Warriors and win their sixth title in franchise history.
Playoff teams: Mavericks, Rockets, Grizzlies, Pelicans, Spurs
2016 NBA Finals:
Cleveland Cavaliers v. San Antonio Spurs
2016 NBA Champion: San Antonio Spurs
2016 Award-Winners:
MVP: Anthony Davis
Rookie of the Year: D'Angelo Russell
Sixth Man of the Year: Louis Williams
Most Improved Player: Jabari Parker
Defensive Player of the Year: Kawhi Leonard
Coach of the Year: Billy Donovan, Thunder