NBA Free Agency: NBA Power Rankings After First Week of Free Agency

The first week of free agency is done, and though there are still plenty of moving pieces that could affect how each team looks, the top order appears set, save for a resolution on the Dwight Howard front.

This week is restricted free agency time, when teams decide whether they want to match the offer sheets on their restricted free agents who have received offers.

On Wednesday, all the signings and trades that have happened in the last week become official.

But this is only the beginning of the movement of both players and teams. 

Here is how all the NBA teams stack up against each other as of now.

No. 30: Charlotte Bobcats

Returning players: Likely PG D.J. Augustin and SF Derrick Brown (Qualifying offers)

Losses: SF Corey Maggette

Additions: SF Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF Jeffrey Taylor, SG Ben Gordon

For a team that won just seven games last season, the Bobcats do have a lot of intriguing young talent.

With Ben Gordon traded for Corey Maggette, plus a future first-round pick from Detroit in the deal, the backcourt is underrated with Augustin and Kemba Walker at the point, Gerald Henderson at shooting guard and Gordon likely coming off the bench as a sixth-man.

The draft additions of No. 2 Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and No. 31 pick Jeffrey Taylor at the small forward position give Charlotte two players who can defend multiple positions, and a potential sharp-shooter in Taylor. 

Kidd-Gilchrist will be the new leader of this team, but there could be a cerebral veteran coming to town to help this young Bobcat squad mature.

According to the Charlotte Observer, veteran power forward Antawn Jamison, who played at North Carolina, is definitely interested in playing for the Bobcats.

If the Bobcats can add Jamison, they would have a player who could open up driving lanes for Charlotte's young guards and swingmen, and also be a veteran leader new head coach Mike Dunlap can use as an example of hard work and dedication.

No. 29: Cleveland Cavaliers

Returning players: PF Luke Harangody, Likely SG/SF Alonzo Gee (Qualifying Offer)

Losses: C Semih Erden

Additions: SG Dion Waiters, C Tyler Zeller

Kyrie Irving has an exciting new backcourt mate, but one that may need the ball a lot to succeed.

Even if Waiters does need a lot of touches to be at his best, however, it helps to have someone else who can bring the ball up the court and run the offense at times.

Waiters' jump shot is only getting better, and his ability to get to the basket and will while surviving contact will remind some Cavalier fans of LeBron James.

Tyler Zeller gives Cleveland a skilled big that is needed alongside bruisers like Tristan Thompson, Harangody and Anderson Varejao.

Cleveland still needs a small forward that is starting-caliber at the very least, and no, Alonzo Gee is not a starting-caliber wing player. 

Until they do, the Cavs may be a team contending for a top five pick every single season no matter how good their backcourt is.

No. 28: Sacramento Kings

Returning players: PF/C Jason Thompson

Losses: None as of yet

Additions: PF Thomas Robinson

Just when some were ready to see if DeMarcus Cousins was ready to become a mature player this season, more bad news came out.

USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo had some choice words regarding the enigmatic big after an excessively physical performance by Cousins as a member of the USA select squad in practice, according to the Sporting News.

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“Show respect to players, and you get respect back,” USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo said of Cousins, per Pro Basketball Talk. “He needs to mature as a person, as a player if he’s going to have an outstanding NBA career. So before there’s discussion about him being part of our program, he has a lot of building to do ...

“He has a lot of growing up to do,” added Colangelo, speaking on a conference call after the unveiling of Team USA's roster for the London Olympics.

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With both the maturity and talent of No. 5 pick Thomas Robinson, who plays the same position as Cousins, it is a pivotal year for him, as it could be the last opportunity for Cousins to prove himself as a franchise pillar. 

With Tyreke Evans in the last year of his contract and still without a clear position, unless the two most talented players on the Kings roster find themselves, another top five pick is imminent, as is a possible move for the team out of Sacramento.

No. 27: Detroit Pistons

Returning players: PF Jason Maxiell

Losses: SG Ben Gordon

Additions: SG/SF Corey Maggette, C Andre Drummond, SF Khris Middleton

The Pistons were able to get rid of a terrible contract in Ben Gordon.

But with the fact that they are giving away their 2013 first-round pick, and they are taking a huge chance on No. 9 pick Andre Drummond, they accomplished very little in the offseason.

The backcourt combination of Brandon Knight and Rodney Stuckey hurts Detroit both on offense and defense, as both are ball-handlers, and will want to take the big shot. 

Maggette is just an expiring contract, and it wouldn't surprise me if he was bought out or traded in the middle of the season since he is definitely not part of the future. 

Until the Pistons are able to get rid of Charlie Villanueva and his bad contract, the summer of 2009 will always hang over them, and they won't be able to move forward. 

At this point, they are just packing up worthless assets until they get rid of the bad ones, and let the young players learn by trial by fire.

No. 26: New Orleans Hornets

Returning players: None as of yet

Loses: C Gustavo Avon

Additions: PF/C Anthony Davis, PG/SG Austin Rivers, SF Darius Miller, PF Ryan Anderson

Restricted free agent Eric Gordon says that if New Orleans matches the four-year, $58 million offer sheet from the Phoenix Suns, he will play for the Hornets but not be pleased about it, according to Jimmy Smith of The Times-Picayune (Via nola.com). 

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"If (the Hornets) were interested, there wouldn't have been no tour, there wouldn't have been nothing," Gordon said. "There's been no negotiations. I was right there in Indiana. I haven't received no calls, to me personally. They've contacted my agent.

"As for now, I don't know what's going on. (If the Hornets match) as of right now, I'd be disappointed."

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Smith's article also has statements from Gordon in which he is disappointed that the team drafted another guard in Austin Rivers instead of more big men to complement No. 1 pick Anthony Davis.

That being said, according to ESPN's Marc Stein, the Hornets have acquired Orlando Magic power forward Ryan Anderson in a sign-and-trade deal in which New Orleans would give Orlando young center Gustavo Avon.

Anderson would sign a four-year deal worth between $34-$36 million, according to Stein.

This trade is perfect for both Anderson and Davis, as Davis could possibly play like a Dwight Howard with Anderson being the stretch power forward he was in Orlando.

Even with this move, however, the Hornets have a very bare cupboard as of now, and won't be able to contend for much unless they can keep Gordon while making him happy.

While a foursome of Anderson, Davis, Austin Rivers and Gordon sounds great, there aren't enough other pieces to win more than 25 games in an even deeper Western Conference next season.

No. 25: Houston Rockets

Returning players: None as of yet

Losses: PG Kyle Lowry, PG Goran Dragic, SG Courtney Lee, SG/SF Chase Budinger, C Samuel Dalembert

Additions: SG Jeremy Lamb, SF/PF Royce White, SF/PF Terrence Jones, PF Jon Brockman, F Jon Leuer, PG Shaun Livingston

The team that could drop the most from this past season to next could be Houston. As if it were not for a bunch of late season injuries, the Rockets would have found themselves in the playoffs. 

That being said, losing two starting caliber point guards, two starting caliber wings, a starting center and only having Royce White and a future first-round pick from the Raptors in return shows a lack of foresight by General Manager Daryl Morey.

With Marcus Camby, another starting caliber center likely to depart and the Jeremy Lin contract offer contingent on the wishful assumption that the Knicks won't match, the Rockets are seemingly throwing things against a wall, hoping to find something that works.

It hasn't yet, and time is running out.

No. 24: Phoenix Suns

Returning players: None as of yet

Losses: PG Steve Nash, PG Aaron Brooks

Additions: PG Goran Dragic, SF/PF Michael Beasley, PG Kendall Marshall

If you looked at the additions of Dragic, Beasley and Marshall, you might think the Suns have a chance to compete for a post-season berth next season.

But with the fact that they gave their biggest rival arguably the best player in franchise history for four possibly meaningless draft picks puts that thought out of reach, especially when you remember the big contracts of Hakim Warrick and Josh Childress that are still on the payroll. 

Phoenix has closed its own competitive window for the next three years because of the Steve Nash trade, and unless they can get Eric Gordon this offseason, the free agency period will still have been considered a failure.

No. 23: Orlando Magic

Returning players: PG Jameer Nelson

Losses: PF Ryan Anderson

Additions: C Gustavo Ayon, PF Andrew Nicholson, C Kyle O'Quinn

When you trade last season's Most Improved Player for an all-upside but no substance big in Gustavo Ayon, it is clear you are trying to clear cap space and win with young players.

Despite the re-signing of Jameer Nelson, the Magic are seemingly preparing for a long rebuild built around whatever they can get in a Dwight Howard trade, whether it happens this summer or at the trade deadline. 

No. 22: Milwaukee Bucks

Returning players: PF Ersan Ilyasova

Losses: PG Shaun Livingston, F Jon Leuer, PF Jon Brockman

Additions: C Samuel Dalembert, PF John Henson, SG Doron Lamb

According to TNT NBA Analyst David Aldridge, a report on the basketball Web site HoopsHype Sunday afternoon that the Milwaukee Bucks and restricted free agent forward Ersan Ilyasova were close to a five-year, $45 million deal was confirmed by sources (via NBA.com).

If this report is true, the Bucks have a lot of talented bigs, but not a clear picture of how they all work together. 

For example, they have three shot blockers in the rookie Henson, Larry Sanders and Ekpe Udoh who have yet to develop the rest of their game to a large extent. 

While Dalembert's presence at center finally gives them a veteran who can play at the 5, he is not a long-term solution to man the spot once held by Andrew Bogut. 

The Bucks haven't gotten worse, but they haven't gotten any better either. In a way, with many Eastern Conference teams improving, the Bucks are starting to drop down a couple notches.  

No. 21 Atlanta Hawks

Returning players: None as of this moment

Losses: SG Joe Johnson, SF Marvin Williams

Additions: PG Devin Harris, SG Anthony Morrow, SG/SF DeShawn Stevenson, PF Jordan Williams, C Johan Petro, SG John Jenkins, PF Mike Scott

The Atlanta Hawks have cleared two of the worst contracts in the NBA off their payroll without adding another, but have done little else.

With all their expiring contracts, there are only two known commodities on the roster: Josh Smith and Al Horford.

Smith is in the last year of his contract, and isn't too impressed with new General Manager Danny Ferry's plan, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. 

Until Smith commits long-term or is traded, the situation in Atlanta will be awkward, and concerns like that don't happen to teams who make the playoffs unless they are extremely talented. 

With the moves that the Hawks have made, they will have cap room but very little talent.

No. 20: Portland Trailblazers

Returning players: None as of this moment

Losses: None as of this moment

Additions: PG Damian Lillard, C Meyers Leonard

Until there is news on whether or not the Pacers match the offer for Roy Hibbert, or what happens with the Nicolas Batum situation, this Portland team could either be a big-time contender or right back where it started this off-season.

If the Trailblazers can sign Hibbert and keep Batum, Portland could finally be getting past the disappointment of the Brandon Roy-Greg Oden era, and start fresh.

Until that happens, the Trailblazers are where they were before the draft: Just outside of the top 10 worst teams in the NBA.

No. 19: Toronto Raptors

Returning players: None as of this moment

Losses: PG Jerryd Bayless

Additions: PG Kyle Lowry, SG/SF Landry Fields (Qualifying offer), SG Terrence Ross

With Lowry and Jose Calderon now a dangerous duo at the point, and a possible foursome of talented young wings in Demar DeRozan, Ross, Fields and Sonny Weems, the Raptors may have finally gotten the depth head coach Dwane Casey needed to run the defensive schemes he ran as the Dallas Mavericks' assistant coach last season. 

That coupled with Jonas Valanciunas, last year's No. 5 pick coming to town to play with Andrea Bargnani, and the Raptors look like the best team in the league that is the worst team in their division. 

With that somewhat encouraging but disheartening fact, the Raptors will need to use this full off-season better than any team in the Atlantic Division, as they have the pieces to be a dangerous team. 

Remember, the Raptors did win 48 games in Bargnani's rookie year when no one expected anything from them. They will draw on that experience to hopefully convince themselves they can compete for a playoff spot.

No. 18: Dallas Mavericks

Returning players: None as of this moment

Losses: PG Jason Kidd, SG Jason Terry

Additions: SG Jared Cunningham, SF Jae Crowder, PF Bernard James

Considering that Dallas maybe doesn't even make the playoffs if it weren't for injuries for the Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves, Dallas doesn't look like a playoff team this year.

Though there is a lot of cap and roster space to add second and third-tier free agents, no moves will be game-changers, and it is another wasted year of the end of Dirk Nowitzki's career. 

Rick Carlisle should make this team competitive, as there are no desirable pieces on this team besides Dirk, but even he can't get this team to a place they have been in for the last decade.

No. 17: Washington Wizards

Returning players: None as of this moment

Losses: SF Rashard Lewis

Additions: PF/C Emeka Okafor, SF Trevor Ariza, SG Bradley Beal

The Washington Wizards won six straight games at the end of last season, and have now added three starters to a team that has a lot of talent, but little chemistry.

If a frontcourt of Okafor and Nene can somehow work, and young bench players like Kevin Seraphin, Jan Vesely and Trevor Booker can become consistent contributors, the Wizards should be the favorites for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. 

With Ariza and Beal on the wings, point guard John Wall now has the shooters that can capitalize of his penetrating and driving skills. 

No. 16: Golden State Warriors

Returning players: None as of this moment

Losses: None as of this moment

Additions: SF Harrison Barnes, C Festus Ezeli, SF/PF Draymond Green

The Warriors had as good a draft as any team in the league, and may have now filled out their starting lineup.

Harrison Barnes gives the team the small forward its been searching for the past couple seasons, while Draymond Green could potentially be a point-forward type similar to Anthony Mason. 

Ezeli's addition makes sure that the Warriors won't have to give minutes to the always disappointing Andris Biedrins. 

Plus, the Warriors are possibly looking to add J.J. Hickson to their already loaded frontcourt, according to the Contra Costa Times (via ibabuzz.com). 

The Warriors are a young team currently on the outside looking in regarding a playoff berth next season, but Coach Mark Jackson has a great young roster that could get even better if Andrew Bogut is healthy.

No. 15: Philadelphia 76ers

Returning players: PF Lavoy Allen, C Spencer Hawes

Losses: PG Lou Williams

Additions: SG Nick Young, SF Moe Harkless, PF/C Arnett Moultrie

Despite a lot of intriguing moves, the Philadelphia 76ers have not only not gained on their Atlantic Division rivals, but have now gone from the third-best team in the division to the fourth.

The Toronto Raptors have made some great improvements as well, so there is no guarantee that Philadelphia even gets out of the division cellar.

With Andre Igoudala being paid about $30 million the next two years in the last part of his contract, he could be part of a three-team deal that would send him to Portland, according to ESPN 1500 in Minnesota. 

With the depth of the 76ers, there may be a move made in order to have a more natural lineup to compete with the Eastern Conference elite. 

Until then, the 76ers may be stuck in no man's land, where they can't improve a lot on a year to year basis. 

No. 14: Minnesota Timberwolves

Returning players: None as of this moment

Losses: PF Anthony Randolph, SF Michael Beasley

Additions: SG Brandon Roy, SG/SF Chase Budinger

With the status of restricted free-agent signing Nicolas Batum still being up in the air with Portland looking to match the offer sheet from Minnesota, according to the Associated Press (via ESPN.com), Minnesota's offseason could turn from good to great at any moment.

If Batum does eventually come to Minnesota, the additions of Batum, Roy and Budinger give Coach Rick Adelman three wing players that fit perfectly into his corner offense.

It will also make star power forward Kevin Love happy, as he admitted to losing patience with the T-Wolves in an interview with Yahoo! Sports.

Though they only won 26 games last season, the Timberwolves were over .500 before the devastating Ricky Rubio injury, and have let go of inconsistent players like Randolph and Beasley.

Minnesota could be an eighth-seeded playoff team next season, but the window is closing with Adelman already 66 years old.  

No. 13: Indiana Pacers

Returning players: PG George Hill

Losses: None at this moment

Additions: C Miles Plumlee, SG Orlando Johnson

With the status of All-Star center Roy Hibbert yet to be determined, and the Pacers trying to sign either O.J. Mayo or Courtney Lee, according to the Indianapolis Star (via SI.com), Indiana's status as an Eastern Conference contender is up for debate. 

While there are a lot of great pieces, there is no true point guard, no superstar and no consistent identity with this team.

The offseason power ranking for this team can fluctuate on a day-to-day basis with whatever happens in free agency. 

No. 12: Utah Jazz

Returning players: PG Jamaal Tinsley, SF Jeremy Evans

Losses: PG Devin Harris, SG Raja Bell

Additions: PG Mo Williams, SF Marvin Williams, SG Kevin Murphy

Raja Bell told the Salt Lake Tribune that he and the Utah Jazz have reached a verbal agreement on a buyout of the last year of his contract (via ProBasketballTalk). 

With Bell no longer on the roster, the addition of Marvin Williams and return of Jeremy Evans, it allows Gordon Hayward to play his natural position of shooting guard with Williams now the small forward.

Plus, it allows second-year player Alec Burks to play more minutes as a backup to Hayward.

Utah is still a low-seed playoff contending team, but they are in a great position in that they have the expiring contracts of Mo Williams, Paul Millsap, Al Jefferson, Jamaal Tinsley and Earl Watson.

If they are very good at the trade deadline, they can keep all these guys for one huge run. If they aren't feeling good about their chances, they can trade some of these players for assets.

Marvin Williams was miscast in Atlanta, but his underrated shooting ability and rebounding gives Utah a wing they haven't had since Andrei Kirilenko. 

The Jazz could be the surprise team of the Western Conference next season.

No. 11: Brooklyn Nets

Returning players: PG Deron Williams, SF Gerald Wallace

Losses: PG Jordan Farmar, SG Anthony Morrow, SG/SF DeShawn Stevenson, PF Jordan Williams, C Johan Petro

Additions: SG Joe Johnson, PG Tyshawn Taylor

According to ESPN's Chris Broussard and Brian Windhorst, the Nets are cautiously optimistic that the Cleveland Cavaliers can help facilitate a three-team deal for Brooklyn to get Dwight Howard.

If such a move occurs, Brooklyn's rise up the Eastern Conference will only increase. 

For now, they have a top-five backcourt with Williams and Johnson, a defensive stud in Gerald Wallace, the rights to sign Brook Lopez and Kris Humphries, and the ability to add another All-Star via trade.

If there is a way to get Dwight Howard to Brooklyn, the Nets have the ability and desire to get it done.

Once that happens, the battle for the hearts and minds of New York basketball fans begins.

No. 10: Denver Nuggets

Returning players: PG Andre Miller

Losses: SG Rudy Fernandez

Additions: SF/PF Quincy Miller

According to the Denver Post, C JaVale McGee and the Nuggets are close to a contract in the ballpark of DeAndre Jordan's four-year, $43 million deal.

If he does return along with Andre Miller, Denver could be the one team who have at least five starting-caliber players on their bench in Miller, Wilson Chandler, Corey Brewer, Al Harrington and Kosta Koufos.

The Nuggets still need to figure out what to do with their four center situation, as Chris Anderson has disappeared from the rotation.

But if Danilo Gallinari can stay healthy, and the starting frontcourt of Kenneth Faried and McGee play like they did against the Lakers in the playoffs, the Nuggets could be an underrated contender in the Western Conference.

The Nuggets were as close to getting out of the first round of the playoffs for the first time since the Chauncey Billups era, and that was with a bunch of injuries to players like Gallinari and Nene during the season before the trade deadline steal of McGee. 

Look for them to try very hard to get over the hump next season.

No. 9: New York Knicks

Returning players: SG J.R. Smith, SF/PF Steve Novak

Losses: PG Baron Davis (injury), SG Landry Fields, PG Toney Douglas, PF/C Josh Harrelson, C Jerome Jordan

Additions: PG Jason Kidd, C Marcus Camby

The addition of Jason Kidd is nice, but it's what it will do for another Knicks point guard that will make a huge difference.

According to ESPN's Marc Stein, the Knicks plan to match the Houston Rockets' 4-year, $28.8 million offer sheet for Jeremy Lin.

With Kidd now 39 and probably not looking at consistent starters' minutes, plus his underrated abilities as a perimeter defender and shooter, he can really teach Lin how to be a true point guard, as he has the body and skills to be an All-Star talent.

With Amare Stoudemire and possibly Tyson Chandler planning to work with Hakeem Olajuwon on their post-games this summer, according to ESPN New York, the Knicks will be able to use more ball movement, and get defenses to pack the paint to open up shooters.

With Chandler and Kidd the leaders of the Dallas Maverick 2011 championship team, look for New York to use some zone defense with an entire offseason to practice it.

With defense and ball movement possibly coming back to the Knicks, New York looks like a likely top four seed in the Eastern Conference next season.

No. 8: Memphis Grizzlies

Returning players: PF/C Marreese Speights, PF Darrell Arthur

Losses: SG O.J. Mayo

Additions: PG Tony Wroten

With the re-signings of Speights and Arthur, the Grizzlies now have as deep and talented a frontcourt as anybody in the league.

O.J. Mayo didn't produce in the postseason, so his leaving isn't as bad as it sounds, especially if Zach Randolph is healthy this season.

Regardless of whether they are the fourth or fifth seed in the Western Conference, they will be a tough out in the playoffs once again.

The question is whether or not the second round is their ceiling with this group of players.

No. 7: Chicago Bulls

Returning players: None as of this moment

Losses: None as of this moment

Additions: PG Marquis Teague, PG/SG Kirk Hinrich

According to ESPN Chicago, Kirk Hinrich has reached a verbal agreement with the Chicago Bulls on a two-year deal worth about $3 million per year. 

Hinrich can start at point guard while Derrick Rose is recovering from his torn ACL, and then can be a great perimeter defender off the bench who has the ability to make three-point shots. 

Hinrich and Marquis Teague will be a decent point guard combination, but there are decisions to make on the rest of the roster that could result in a lot of turnover.

Both Kyle Korver and Ronnie Brewer have non-guaranteed options on their contracts, and Omer Asik's offer sheet with the Rockets still needs to be decided on whether to be matched by the Bulls front office.

While the Bulls are a top 10 team for now, a lot could change in the next week, so stay tuned.

No. 6: Los Angeles Clippers

Returning players: PG/SG Chauncey Billups

Losses: PF Reggie Evans, PG Mo Williams

Additions: PF Lamar Odom, SG Jamal Crawford

The additions of Lamar Odom and Jamal Crawford give the Clippers players who can be the third or fourth offensive option on any given possession.

Bringing back Chauncey Billups whenever he is healthy gives them another floor general and their veteran leader.

Blake Griffin is ready to develop his entire game since he is coming into his third year as a healthy NBA player, and he has a full offseason for the first time in his career.

Battle: Los Angeles will not only be known as an underwhelming big-budget movie, but a Staples Center rivalry that will start to become one of the league's best, and a battle for the Pacific Division title will ensue.

For now, the Clippers are a few steps behind, but still within reach of the Los Angeles Lakers.  

No. 5: Boston Celtics

Returning players: SF/PF Jeff Green, PF Brandon Bass, C Kevin Garnett

Losses: SG Ray Allen

Additions: SG Jason Terry, C Fab Melo, PF Jared Sullinger, SF Kris Joseph

Ray Allen's departure doesn't really take away any talent from the Celtics as much as it takes away some of their swagger.

Doc Rivers has a monumental task ahead of him in terms of rallying his troops despite the fact that one of their own felt that their hated rival had a better chance to win a title.

Bringing back KG, Brandon Bass and adding Jeff Green back to the roster, along with the signing of Terry brings a championship mentality back in the fold, while young players like Jared Sullinger and Fab Melo will add great depth and talent.

If Green can be a great perimeter defender and stretch power forward, he will fill a huge need against athletic teams like the New York Knicks and Miami Heat who can have athletes like Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James at the power forward position.

While they still have the success of last season to fall back on, the Celtics should be wary that the rest of the Atlantic Division is starting to catch up, so they shouldn't risk losing the division title by starting off slow again.

No. 4: San Antonio Spurs

Returning players: None at this moment

Losses: None at this moment

Additions: None at this moment

The Spurs are patiently waiting for the market to settle for them to fill out their roster, and the decision of Tim Duncan of whether he is coming back.

One move that could potentially happen is a trade of DeJuan Blair in case international players come to play for the Spurs, and even Blair believes he is on the trading block, according to Mike Monroe of the San-Antonio Express News (via sanantonio.com).

Even if Duncan returns, depending on a 36-year-old Duncan and soon to be 35-year-old Manu Ginobili, and a bunch of complementary parts is not close enough to winning a title. 

That being said, Coach Greg Popovich will maximize the talent of this roster, but it won't be enough for championship contention unless San Antonio can get a Steve Nash type of trade steal.

No. 3: Oklahoma City Thunder

Returning players: None at this moment

Losses: C Nazr Mohammed

Additions: SF/PF Perry Jones, C Hasheem Thabeet

Oklahoma City hasn't necessarily taken a step back as much as the Lakers have taken a few steps forward.

That being said, if the Thunder can't retain their veteran leader in Derek Fisher, even though he would be a fourth-string point guard at times with the return of Eric Maynor and continued improvement of Reggie Jackson, the chemistry of this team will suffer immensely.

Oklahoma City has arguably the deepest and most talented roster in basketball, and the addition of Hasheem Thabeet allows first-round steal Perry Jones to play mostly on the perimeter, where he is at his best.

The Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant dynamic hopefully can be fixed during the Olympics, as this team cannot have bad starts in four out of five NBA Finals games and ever expect to win a title

With Serge Ibaka and James Harden in the last year of their rookie contracts, the window could be closing for Oklahoma City a lot faster than most expect.

No. 2: Los Angeles Lakers

Returning players: None at this point (Jordan Hill is a restricted free agent yet to be signed)

Losses: PG Ramon Sessions

Additions: PG Steve Nash, SG Darius Johnson-Odom

What, the Lakers are better than Oklahoma City?

Yes, because they now have the best distributor in basketball, and a superstar who compliments Kobe's personality and skills perfectly.

With the pick-and-roll threats that Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum are, Nash and Kobe can alternate turns taking the ball up the floor and setting the offense, making the offense more unpredictable.

While depth is still a concern on this team, there is no question that it has become a great destination for free agents who want to play with a great point guard.

For example, the Lakers are looking to add Jodie Meeks and Grant Hill, according to opposingviews.com.

No. 1: Miami Heat

Returning players: None at the moment

Losses: C Ronny Turiaf, PF Juwan Howard, SG Terrel Harris

Additions: SG Ray Allen, C Justin Hamilton       

Miami's addition not only prepares for the injury issues and possible retirement of Mike Miller, along with James Jones' potential departure, but also takes away a veteran leader and contributor from their biggest rival.

Considering that Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade played with injuries during the postseason with the Heat still winning, imagine what they could do with the addition of Allen, and the continually improving post-game of LeBron James.

Letting Ronny Turiaf, Juwan Howard, and the non-guaranteed contracts of Terrel Harris and Dexter Pittman opens up some room to add more veteran players, so let us not assume Miami is done making moves.

With Norris Cole, Allen, Shane Battier, Udonis Haslem and Joel Anthony possibly looking like the bench for now, and the Big 3, Miami is more unbeatable than ever.