George O'Brien
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Baring a blockbuster trade or unexpected free agent signing, it looks like the top four teams will be (again) the Mavs, Suns, Clippers, and Spurs.
The Spurs traded Nesto and lost Mohamed, so I think they could drop from the elite. Duncan's on and off foot problems will become the center of attention because they are even more dependent on him playing at an MVP level.
The Clips are much the same by exchanging TT for VRad. This is a young team and should improve some, but their relatively slow lineup does not match up well with a healthy Suns team.
So far the Mavs big off season move has been to sign Greg Buckner while losing Adrien Griffin and of course Van Horn. The Mavs cannot afford to lose Jason Terry but Cuban knows there is no one with enough cap space to be a threat. Still, a difficult negotiation seems likely which could prove disruptive.
The Griz made a lot of changes in the off season. Drafting Rudy Gay and Kyle Lowry plus trading for Stomile Swift while losing Shane Battier and Bobby Jackson does not really give a picture of what to expect. They look like a solid playoff team, but don't look like they have improved enough to make a push.
The Jazz actually look to be one of the most improved. Draft pick Ronnie Brewer looks like a serious addition. Fisher is likely to be a lot more help than Devin Brown, Keith McCleod and Andre Owens. This looks like a playoff team, but probably not a contender.
It's hard to know how much impact the wholesalve changes the Hornets have made will have on that team. Peja can shoot and Chandler can rebound, but after unloading JR Smith and Snyder, it is not clear who is going to be their SG. Mason?
The Nuggets might have gotten into the playoffs in different division last season, but just barely. They've brought in JR Smith, whom the Hornets all but gave away. They could easily fall out of the playoffs if they don't make some serious changes.
The Wolves added Mike James and Randy Foye while losing Marcus Banks. As long as they have KG they are a contender to make the playoffs, but James has to seriously up his game to make much difference.
The Rockets unloaded Swift who was a terrible fit for Battier who may be a better fit - or maybe not. They added Kirt Snyder who should give them more depth. As for Spanoulis, who knows? Overall this team seems to be somewhat improved and a playoff contender. However, with the never healthy Bob Sura and Rafer Alston as their PG's...
Portland looks to be a better team, but it wouldn't take much. Drafting Roy and Aldridge are certainly great additions. Trading Ratliff for LeFrentz seems to be exchanging one injury ridden guy for another, but since Ratliff didn't play much this may work out. Roy would have to have a monster year for the Blazers to get into the playoffs.
Chris Mullen was a great player, but his personnel work with Golden State is not at the same level. In the draft, the Warriors took yet another project big man in Patrick O'Bryant. He joins Ike Diogu, Andris Beidrins, and Chris Taft as rookie contract big men. Added to Troy Murphy and Adonal Foye, it is hard to see how this pick helped. Trading Fisher for "who's he" only helped by subtraction.
Seattle added Sene. Assuming the keep Wilcox for another year, they might have enough to win about 30, but unless they do something dramatic this is not a playoff team.
The Lakers slipped into the playoffs last season when the Hornets fell apart. Picking up Radmonovic will give them another shooter. Since all they are losing is Devon George, this is probably a better team. Still, they are far from certain to get back to the playoffs.
As it stands now, the Suns and Mavs seem to be the teams to beat. The Spurs appear to be substantially weaker and the Clippers aren't at the elite level yet. No other team seems to be close to even these four.
The Spurs traded Nesto and lost Mohamed, so I think they could drop from the elite. Duncan's on and off foot problems will become the center of attention because they are even more dependent on him playing at an MVP level.
The Clips are much the same by exchanging TT for VRad. This is a young team and should improve some, but their relatively slow lineup does not match up well with a healthy Suns team.
So far the Mavs big off season move has been to sign Greg Buckner while losing Adrien Griffin and of course Van Horn. The Mavs cannot afford to lose Jason Terry but Cuban knows there is no one with enough cap space to be a threat. Still, a difficult negotiation seems likely which could prove disruptive.
The Griz made a lot of changes in the off season. Drafting Rudy Gay and Kyle Lowry plus trading for Stomile Swift while losing Shane Battier and Bobby Jackson does not really give a picture of what to expect. They look like a solid playoff team, but don't look like they have improved enough to make a push.
The Jazz actually look to be one of the most improved. Draft pick Ronnie Brewer looks like a serious addition. Fisher is likely to be a lot more help than Devin Brown, Keith McCleod and Andre Owens. This looks like a playoff team, but probably not a contender.
It's hard to know how much impact the wholesalve changes the Hornets have made will have on that team. Peja can shoot and Chandler can rebound, but after unloading JR Smith and Snyder, it is not clear who is going to be their SG. Mason?
The Nuggets might have gotten into the playoffs in different division last season, but just barely. They've brought in JR Smith, whom the Hornets all but gave away. They could easily fall out of the playoffs if they don't make some serious changes.
The Wolves added Mike James and Randy Foye while losing Marcus Banks. As long as they have KG they are a contender to make the playoffs, but James has to seriously up his game to make much difference.
The Rockets unloaded Swift who was a terrible fit for Battier who may be a better fit - or maybe not. They added Kirt Snyder who should give them more depth. As for Spanoulis, who knows? Overall this team seems to be somewhat improved and a playoff contender. However, with the never healthy Bob Sura and Rafer Alston as their PG's...
Portland looks to be a better team, but it wouldn't take much. Drafting Roy and Aldridge are certainly great additions. Trading Ratliff for LeFrentz seems to be exchanging one injury ridden guy for another, but since Ratliff didn't play much this may work out. Roy would have to have a monster year for the Blazers to get into the playoffs.
Chris Mullen was a great player, but his personnel work with Golden State is not at the same level. In the draft, the Warriors took yet another project big man in Patrick O'Bryant. He joins Ike Diogu, Andris Beidrins, and Chris Taft as rookie contract big men. Added to Troy Murphy and Adonal Foye, it is hard to see how this pick helped. Trading Fisher for "who's he" only helped by subtraction.
Seattle added Sene. Assuming the keep Wilcox for another year, they might have enough to win about 30, but unless they do something dramatic this is not a playoff team.
The Lakers slipped into the playoffs last season when the Hornets fell apart. Picking up Radmonovic will give them another shooter. Since all they are losing is Devon George, this is probably a better team. Still, they are far from certain to get back to the playoffs.
As it stands now, the Suns and Mavs seem to be the teams to beat. The Spurs appear to be substantially weaker and the Clippers aren't at the elite level yet. No other team seems to be close to even these four.
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Jason Terry signed for 6 years/$50 million at the start of free agency.
