NBA Surprise Players: Top Underdogs For Each Team in 2009-10

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Johnson will likely be the front-runner to start at power forward with Luc Richard Mbah a Moute manning the small forward spot vacated by Richard Jefferson's departure, while Joe Alexander backs up both positions.

If Johnson can land a starting spot and keep his fouling in line, he should be in prime position to be a good player on a solid young team in Milwaukee. Johnson has a very raw offensive game, but is an explosive shot blocker (he averaged 1.6 BPG when he played 20+ minutes last season) and will bring a good defensive presence to the team.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Ryan Gomes, F

Ryan Gomes started 76 games last year and averaged 13.3 PPG and 4.8 RPG, which are very respectable numbers. However, I expect him to increase those numbers significantly this season.

When Al Jefferson went down last season, Gomes became the team's third scoring option behind Randy Foye and Mike Miller. With both players now in Washington, Gomes looks to be in position to become the Timberwolves' secondary scorer this season.

In the 32 games after Jefferson went down with his injury last year, Gomes averaged 16.2 PPG and 5.4 RPG while playing 32.7 MPG. With Foye and Miller gone, Gomes should see those numbers jump in 2009-10.

New Jersey Nets: Courtney Lee, G

Courtney Lee had a nice rookie year with the Magic, but those numbers should pale in comparison to what he will put up in New Jersey, where Lee will be counted on as the team's third scoring option behind Devin Harris and Brook Lopez.

Last year in Orlando, Lee averaged 10.1 PPG and shot 39.9 percent from beyond the arc in 42 games as a starter while being stuck behind Hedo Turkoglu, Rashard Lewis, Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson in the struggle for shots, and should see a significant boost in scoring in New Jersey. Lee is primed to have a very big sophomore year for the Nets.

New Orleans Hornets: Hilton Armstrong, C

With Tyson Chandler missing 37 games last year and almost getting traded to the Cavs this offseason, Hilton Armstrong is in position to get a boost in playing time in New Orleans this season. Even when Chandler played last year, he posted poor numbers and his play did not meet expectations. His explosiveness was noticeably missing as a result of his injury and it hurt his play.

So, what does all that mean for Armstrong? Likely an expanded role in 2009-10, regardless of whether Chandler plays or not. Armstrong still has a lot of work to do on his offensive game, but the fact that New Orleans was willing to trade Chandler this offseason shows that they plan to play Armstrong a lot this season, and there is no reason to think he can't improve on his numbers as he matures.

New York Knicks: Larry Hughes, G/F

With Quentin Richardson being traded to Memphis on draft day, Larry Hughes looks to be the Knicks starter at shooting guard this season. He will be playing in Mike D'Antoni's system. Do I even need to say anything else?

All anyone needs to do is look at what D'Antoni did with Joe Johnson in Phoenix to get excited about the possibilities of Hughes in New York this season. That's not to say that Hughes will put up All-Star numbers like Johnson currently does, but he could see some really nice scoring numbers in New York's fast-paced offense.

Oklahoma City Thunder: Shaun Livingston, G

Oklahoma City did something last season that no other team in the league was willing to do: they gave Shaun Livingston a chance. The Thunder played Livingston 23.8 MPG in eight games with the club last year, and Livingston posted averages of 7.8 PPG, 2.0 APG and 3.3 RPG. If Livingston can beat out Earl Watson to be Russell Westbrook's primary backup this season, he could post some respectable numbers all season long.

Don't expect an All-Star season from Livingston in 2009-10, but expect him to be a reliable backup in Oklahoma City and, if Westbrook goes down, expect him to be a solid stopgap.

Orlando Magic: Mickael Pietrus, G/F

There have been rumors flying around that the Orlando Magic will try to sign Rasheed Wallace to play power forward for them, allowing Rashard Lewis to slide back to his natural small forward position with Vince Carter playing the shooting guard spot.

I don't think it'll happen. If Sheed goes to another team like Boston or San Antonio, then I think Lewis stays at the power forward spot with Carter and Pietrus interchangeable at shooting guard and small forward. If that happens, look for Pietrus to break out in 2009-10.

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