1 Question Every NBA Team Must Answer Before 2014-15 Training Camp
NBA training camp—weeks of question marks that most teams are lucky to escape with a few answers.
We haven't quite reached camp time yet, but before we do, each squad has its own concerns that need to be squared away—some more pressing than others, of course.
Building teams like the Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Orlando Magic are simply working to discover what exactly they have. Reshaped contenders like the Miami Heat and Houston Rockets find themselves asking similar questions but with far different expectations.
As for conference favorites like the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers, there are plenty of moving parts that could hamper a successful 2014-15 run.
Now is the time for teams to solve their big-picture worries before they interfere with the day-to-day battles in training camp. Ahead, we discuss each team's No. 1 focus before heading to camp.
Atlanta Hawks
1 of 30
What's going on in the front office?
The Atlanta Hawks currently face a major front-office dilemma.
It began Sunday when owner Josh Levenson announced he will be selling his share of the team after self-reporting a 2012 email that contained racially insensitive remarks. Days later, reports surfaced about racially insensitive remarks regarding then-free agent Luol Deng made by Hawks general manager Danny Ferry.
The team internally disciplined Ferry, and commissioner Adam Silver told USA Today's Sam Amick (via The Washington Post's Michael Lee) that his comments "taken alone, do not merit him losing his job." Ferry released a statement explaining the remarks he made were in reference to someone else's comments, though the conference call transcript, obtained by Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, seems to prove otherwise. Thursday, the audio recording was published by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Co-owner Michael Gearon wanted Ferry fired (h/t The Washington Post) after the comments were made, though that action hasn't been taken. On Friday, Ferry took an indefinite leave of absence and released a statement, per The Associated Press (via ESPN.com), that read in part:
"I realize that my words may ring hollow now and my future actions must speak for me. I will maximize my time during this leave to meet with community leaders and further educate myself and others on the extremely sensitive issues surrounding race, diversity, and inclusion. I will find a way to make a positive difference in this area.
"
Boston Celtics
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How will the point guard situation be handled?
Rajon Rondo has been a walking trade rumor for the better part of two years, and those rumblings gained more traction when the Boston Celtics drafted point guard Marcus Smart with the sixth overall pick in this year's draft.
Baxter Holmes of The Boston Globe interviewed Rondo in July about the pick, and the 28-year-old took the high road. "I don’t think nothing of it. I am who I am. ... What I like about Smart is that he competes. He kind of reminds me [of myself]. I like the guys that compete and remind me of myself, guys like [Kendrick Perkins]."
There's little doubt that Smart can soon evolve into a bright spot at point guard for Boston. The question is how long Rondo will be around to block the position. For ESPN's Around the Horn, Jackie MacMullan reported that Rondo has been pressing for a Celtics exit as soon as possible.
"It will happen because he's told them he wants out, and no one believes me but that's the truth," MacMullan said, via Deadspin. "And I don't see how you get 80 cents on the dollar for him. Tell me where."
With Rondo's contract expiring after the season, it's feasible that the C's explore any and all trade options in the coming months to avoid losing him for nothing next summer. Solidifying a plan at the position and giving the rookie a clear view of his future in Boston would be the best course of action.
Brooklyn Nets
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What's going on with KG?
With Paul Pierce exiting Brooklyn after a one-year stay and joining the Washington Wizards, Kevin Garnett's future away from his ex-Boston teammate—and on a team on the outside looking in regarding the preseason playoff discussion—has been in question for months.
As of August 30, the Nets still haven't heard from Garnett at all since the end of last season, according to ESPN New York's Mike Mazzeo. It's possible that the $12 million KG is due for this season could be the only reason he'd suit up for a 20th NBA campaign. After all, he's coming off the worst season of his career.
If Garnett does play, he would likely constrict the Nets' flow beside Brook Lopez at center with Mason Plumlee and Mirza Teletovic waiting for a chance behind both of them.
But with Lionel Hollins—who has traditionally favored bigger lineups and veteran presences—running things, chances are Garnett will be given every chance to contribute.
Charlotte Hornets
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Is Lance Stephenson ready to take on a lead role?
To understand Lance Stephenson's new situation with the Charlotte Hornets, let's briefly recap his four-year run with the Indiana Pacers.
His rookie season in 2010-11 consisted of 115 total minutes over 12 games for the Pacers. His sophomore campaign called for 10.5 minutes per game over 42 appearances and a run of four minutes in the postseason that was highlighted by mocking LeBron James from the bench.
It wasn't until his third pro year, the 2012-13 season, that Stephenson played any sort of role for Indiana. While Danny Granger sat out most of the campaign with an injury, Stephenson earned a starting job and was one of the league's best surprises at age 22.
That stretch continued into last season, as he solidified his status as a bright spot, and maybe the second-best player, on the Pacers. But his impressive run has often been dragged down by frequent mental lapses, both during play and between the whistles.
Now, with just two seasons of legitimate NBA experience under his belt, Stephenson is a $27 million player and expected to be a major contributor for the Hornets. But can he hold up his end of the bargain?
Talent-wise, the deal was a no-brainer for Charlotte. Stephenson can be a dazzling playmaker and has the ability to lock down on the other end. But the Hornets will be depending on him to be a top scoring option and something of an emotional leader.
In a more balanced Eastern Conference, the Hornets have a chance to finish among the better teams in the playoff picture. Much of that will depend on how Stephenson performs in an increased role after a change of scenery.
Chicago Bulls
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Can D-Rose handle a full season?
As has been the case over the last two seasons, the Chicago Bulls' contender status depends entirely on Derrick Rose's health over a full year.
Unlike last season, Rose has gotten a chance to play competitively in the FIBA Basketball World Cup, and although his play hasn't been dazzling—he's shot less than 30 percent and averaged fewer than six points and three assists per game—to put it kindly, he's logged 17.6 minutes per game over seven contests.
Behind Rose on the depth chart are Kirk Hinrich and Aaron Brooks, neither of whom shot better than 40 percent or averaged more than four assists last season. The team has added scorers Pau Gasol from the Lakers and Nikola Mirotic from overseas to help lessen Rose's load in that regard, but without him, Chicago deflates from conference favorite to mere playoff hopeful.
But that story is nothing new. Rose has shown that he's healthy enough to play basketball over recent weeks. He still needs to prove he can do it over six months while performing like the Derrick Rose that Chicago had from 2008 through 2012.
Cleveland Cavaliers
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Can Cleveland's veteran leaders get behind David Blatt?
Just when the Cleveland Cavaliers were on the cusp of imploding, a few pingpong balls decided they'd be awarded Andrew Wiggins. When that wasn't enough, Kyrie Irving locked in the next five years of his future to the Cavs, and then LeBron James decided to return home and make Cleveland an instant title contender.
But when that still wasn't enough, the acquisition of Kevin Love morphed the Cavaliers from mere contenders to favorites.
With LeBron being the ultimate playmaker, Love being James' prototypical offensive teammate, Irving being the best point guard that either star has ever played with and Dion Waiters being the best fourth option in the league, Cleveland's depth chart is stacked. The only true unknown as we head into training camp is how these star names will take a liking to David Blatt's unfamiliar methods.
Blatt is a legendary coaching figure overseas, posting a combined record of 182-53 over the last four years with Maccabi Tel Aviv, including playoffs and Eurocup play. He's been known for intricate, Gregg Popovich-esque offenses. But he's never faced the challenge of coaching two of the game's biggest stars.
It may take adjusting from all parties, but in theory, it shouldn't be that difficult. After 17 years of coaching, Blatt isn't one to crumble at the hint of adversity.
Over at The Cauldron last July, Jim Cavan previewed the kind of atmosphere that Cleveland is in for:
"Erik Spoelstra’s top-tier mind aside, James has never had a coach of Blatt’s caliber. Nor has Blatt ever had a player as quantum as the King (although we might be willing to concede on Tyrese Rice). Kyrie Irving has never had a coach or teammate like Blatt and James, and neither Blatt nor James have ever had a point guard like Irving. Dion Waiters has never had his face chewed off in a huddle like he will by James and Blatt. Tristan Thompson has made more difficult bowls of cereal than the buckets he’ll be getting.
"
Rookie NBA coaches aren't ordinarily faced with such loaded expectations, but Blatt isn't an ordinary rookie coach. With plenty of veterans around, it shouldn't be hard for him to establish a winning atmosphere with the Cavs.
Dallas Mavericks
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Can the Mavs survive with Raymond Felton, Jameer Nelson and Devin Harris at point?
According to Marc Stein of ESPN.com, the Dallas Mavericks were rumored to be targeting Tyson Chandler even before the end of last season, and they landed their center before draft night. What it ended up costing them, though, makes it a dubious decision.
In addition to shipping out Jose Calderon and Shane Larkin, Dallas also sent two draft picks to New York and took back Raymond Felton, fresh off a career-worst season in many regards.
The Mavs brought back Devin Harris on a team friendly deal, but over 21 minutes per game last season, he shot less than 38 percent. Jameer Nelson joined the picture after being cut by the Orlando Magic, but at 32, how much he can contribute is unclear.
Calderon wasn't a prototypical scorer and was atrocious on the defensive end, but Felton is possibly even worse at staying in front of his man and doesn't give a team the three-point shooting Calderon does. Harris and Nelson will get time at the position also, but with Monta Ellis and Dirk Nowitzki being the main focal points of the offense, the offense is at high risk to stagnate on any given possession.
“Well, there’s going to be turnover at that position,” coach Rick Carlisle said after the Chandler trade, according to Mavs.com. “We’ll see what happens there, but that’s an important position. There’s no doubt about that."
The Mavs have options, but they'll be lucky if any of the veterans can emerge from the pack and be an above-average starter.
Denver Nuggets
8 of 30
How are all those ACLs healing?
Danilo Gallinari, Nate Robinson and J.J. Hickson all plan on factoring into the rotation after recovering from injured ACLs over the last year-and-a-half. JaVale McGee, after missing most of last season with right fibula surgery, is also set to return for camp.
Gallinari is a perennial starter at small forward, and Nate Robinson is perhaps the team's most effective bench player. Hickson and McGee both factor into the team's rotation at center. Without that core last season, Denver went 36-46, falling way short of the Western Conference playoff picture.
In a loaded conference, the Nuggets' fortune depends on the presence of these four and how quickly they can return to action. The last time he was on the court, Gallinari was draining two threes a game and scoring 16 nightly in 2012-13. Robinson contributed 10 points off the bench while shooting 38 percent from three last season. Hickson averaged 12 points and nine rebounds last year before going down, and McGee seemed to have been developing nicely with Denver before missing more than 70 games.
It's a lot to ask for, but if all those pieces can return to form, the team can potentially make some noise moving forward.
Detroit Pistons
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Does the team realize the value it has in Andre Drummond?
Last year's Detroit Pistons were a mess, and it was largely due to the poorly assembled frontcourt and lack of guidance at the head coaching position. What shouldn't get lost in that team's futility, though, was the breakout campaign from 21-year-old Andre Drummond.
Under Stan Van Gundy, hopefully there can be a more sensible rotation among the Pistons bigs. But if anything was made clear last year, it's that Drummond should be the man this team builds around moving forward.
Over 81 games, averaging 32 minutes, Drummond shot 62 percent, totaling 13.5 points and 13.2 rebounds per game. He swatted 1.6 blocks per game and came away with more than one steal per contest.
Greg Monroe seems to be returning for at least one more season, and Josh Smith's contract runs through 2017. The Pistons' frontcourt makeup is tricky to handle in the short term, but if Drummond can post last year's numbers as a 20-year-old in a murky situation, just imagine what he can do in the years to come.
Golden State Warriors
10 of 30
Will Steve Kerr be changing roles around?
Facing lofty expectations, Harrison Barnes failed in several aspects during his second season with the Golden State Warriors. Andre Iguodala, in his first year with the team, when he was healthy, played fairly well.
Under Mark Jackson, Iguodala was the primary starter, with Barnes contributing off the bench in 54 of his 78 games. With Jackson gone, new coach Steve Kerr doesn't seem to feel locked into last year's formula.
According to Diamond Leung of Inside the Warriors, Kerr had the following to share on the small-forward situation:
"Andre was the starter last year, and he very well may be this year. It all depends on combinations and who’s coming off the bench. I would say Andre is more of a ball-handler and a playmaker than Harrison. Harrison’s probably a little more of a scoring-minded player, so you have to factor all those things in when you decide who’s going to start and who’s going to come off the bench.
"
Iggy shot 48 percent from the field last year and 35 percent from three. He posted nine points, five rebounds and four assists per night, and Golden State was an astounding 18 points per 100 possessions better with him on the floor. Defensively, Iguodala is much more of a factor than Barnes.
But if Barnes' struggles in 2013-14 were, like Kerr suspects, due to him playing with inferior teammates, then a move to the starting five could possibly benefit him. Iguodala could then run the bench's offense, along with Shaun Livingston, and there would perhaps be better fits all around.
The particulars of minutes will be decided through camp and over the season, but going into camp, it's best for these players to have an idea of what their roles will be.
Houston Rockets
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Is there enough talent around James Harden and Dwight Howard?
You could say this past offseason wasn't exactly what Daryl Morey envisioned at the onset of the summer.
It began with declining Chandler Parsons' team option for under $1 million—a move that gave Houston the right to match any free-agent offer to Parsons this offseason, which it wouldn't have been able to in 2015 if he hit unrestricted free agency.
Omer Asik was lost to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for a future draft pick, while Jeremy Lin was shipped to the Los Angeles Lakers, along with two future picks, for the rights to a European player. Both moves were made to carve out the cap space necessary to sign a max-level free agent to join James Harden and Dwight Howard, completing Morey's dream vision formed years ago.
The plan seemed to be working, but then all the big-name free agents signed elsewhere. Morey also lost control of Parsons because he was starving for control. The consolation prize was Trevor Ariza, who signed for four years and $32 million.
Now at point guard, instead of a useful offense/defense-type platoon between Lin and Patrick Beverley, Houston is stuck with Beverley and a collection of previously seldom-used role players: Ish Smith, Isaiah Canaan and a 37-year-old Jason Terry. Backing Harden up will be D-Leaguer Troy Daniels. Aside from Donatas Motiejunas and Francisco Garcia, no other reserve had a major role in the NBA last season.
The argument can be made that Ariza is due for a regression after an impressive contract year—he shot 41 percent from three after posting a clip better than 33.4 percent in just one season prior—and has less value than Parsons, while the Rockets bench got more shallow at every position.
Harden and Howard still give Houston an advantage over several opponents, and the starting five is still among the league's best. But there are serious questions to be asked about the second team's makeup.
Indiana Pacers
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Should the focus be on 2015-16?
Three months ago, the Indiana Pacers were a top-two team in the East. Now, without their two best players from last year—Lance Stephenson fleeing to Charlotte and Paul George injuring his leg—the team is destined for the lottery.
Without Stephenson at the 2, management picked up Rodney Stuckey and C.J. Miles—two competent role players—to fill the void. Without George, it's now Solomon Hill, Damjan Rudez and Chris Copeland atop the depth chart at small forward.
David West is good for his 13 points and six rebounds per night, but he's 34. Roy Hibbert, bouncing back from a brutal stretch at the end of 2014, should be able to contribute a routine 10 points and eight rebounds with league-best rim protection. The Pacers have Luis Scola, who can score off the bench, but he's 34 as well and severely limited.
Simply put, the Pacers don't have much to work with, and they might be better off taking a step back and looking at the bigger picture. Some call that tanking. Others call it being honest with oneself.
According to Matt Dery of Detroit Sports 105.1, they've already been in contact with teams about a potential Hibbert deal, and both he and West may opt out after this year and hit free agency. Maybe dealing one or both could net significant assets, and Indiana has its own pick in the upcoming draft.
Next summer, without West and Hibbert, the team could have near-max cap space, if it wishes to go that route. A prime draft pick certainly wouldn't hurt matters, either.
If everything goes right for Indiana this season, it would still be incredibly difficult to reach the postseason. Now may be a good time to take a step back with the future in mind.
Los Angeles Clippers
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Has the reserve frontcourt improved enough?
In a brutal conference, a shortcoming of the 57-win Los Angeles Clippers last year was a lack of depth behind Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan at the bigger positions. Doc Rivers did his best to patch up those holes on the cheap during the season with the additions of Glen Davis and Hedo Turkoglu, but to no avail.
Davis has returned to LA on a minimum deal, and the Clips nabbed Spencer Hawes and Ekpe Udoh to shore up the big man rotation. The Hawes move hard-capped the team, which means there won't be any significant roster additions from here on out.
Hawes was a worthwhile addition. He's a 7-footer who shot 42 percent from three last season while taking four per game. He contributed eight rebounds per game over 31 minutes for the Cavs and 76ers.
But the defense of that reserve group is still in question. The Clips were roughly 15 points worse per 100 possessions with Davis on the floor last season. Udoh has mainly been a positive contributor over his career, though he's never played a significant role on a winning team.
Last season, Jordan and Griffin led the team with more than 2,800 minutes played. The next closest Clipper was Chris Paul with 2,171. Both players are young, but for a team that expects to compete well into May, it's best to find these guys rest whenever possible. Even with Hawes and Davis, it will still be something to keep an eye on.
Los Angeles Lakers
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How serious does the team consider its 2014-15 chances?
Without Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash for most of last season—and missing Pau Gasol for a portion of it—the 2013-14 Lakers were a joke. And they were very entertaining, because everyone on that team, from Mike D'Antoni on down to Kent Bazemore, was in on the joke. They played along with all of us, and the Lakers, terrible as they were, were fun.
And Kobe hated every second of it.
Bryant is set to return, presumably, for a full season of action with LA this season. D'Antoni and Gasol are out while Byron Scott is in, as are Jeremy Lin, Carlos Boozer and Julius Randle. Steve Nash is still slated as the starter, though he should be more concerned about his nervous system than playing basketball.
LA has a very strange collection of players throughout the depth chart. Kobe's return, the addition of a veteran coach and the pickup of a veteran forward in Boozer, after the team just drafted Randle, may give the impression that the team is gunning for a return to the playoffs this season. Which probably isn't feasible.
The Lakers' 2015 pick is headed to the Phoenix Suns—but not if it's within the top five. Trying to nab that pick and establish a top core for the post-Kobe era would probably be in the team's best interest. Bryant and Scott certainly have other thoughts.
Memphis Grizzlies
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Is there enough offense on the roster to contend with the powerhouses?
After a brief period of unrest earlier this offseason, Dave Joerger is still the coach of the Memphis Grizzlies. The front office, though, was shaken up, with Chris Wallace assuming general manager duties after ownership was unhappy with last season's playoff ouster. (Though they pushed the Oklahoma City Thunder farther than anyone could have predicted.)
Memphis has its trademark gritty core intact this season, featuring Mike Conley, Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol, but after finishing no better than 16th in offensive efficiency over the last four years, it's reasonable to wonder if this current makeup can escape the rugged Western Conference.
The team signed free agent Vince Carter, who, despite his mileage, has recreated himself into a viable option off the bench. He averaged 13 points per game for Dallas over the last two seasons on 40 percent shooting from three-point range, which will be useful for Memphis, who finished 19th in three-point shooting last season.
Randolph and Conley supply the Grizzlies with most of their scoring, with Gasol contributing what he can from within 10 feet. Carter will help, but searching through the team's depth chart as it stands now, it's tough to find another reliable scoring option.
Beno Udrih can shoot from distance but is turnover prone and not someone you want to rely on as a scorer. Courtney Lee is solid in his role, and Jordan Adams can possibly make an impact off the bench. Tayshaun Prince is still in the league because of his $7 million price tag, and there aren't any reliable scoring options in the frontcourt.
There has been an effort by the front office, but whether the Grizz can put more points on the board this year remains to be seen.
Miami Heat
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Who will be the new focal point?
The Miami Heat clearly have a different makeup without LeBron James, but in a balanced Eastern Conference and with two of the league's most gifted all-around players, they will almost surely finish in the playoff picture. What remains to be seen, and what should be established before camp gets going, is which of their stars will be the primary focus.
Dwyane Wade has been returned the keys to the franchise he guided to a title in 2006, but in 2015, Chris Bosh may be the more able-bodied star.
Wade will be 33 by midseason. Though he's still more talented with the ball in his hands than most players at his position, staying on the court has been a problem for him. Though he hasn't shot less than 50 percent since the pre-LeBron era, he's missed an average of 19 games per year over the last three seasons.
When he's on the floor, Wade is one of the most valuable players in the league. But Miami can't trust him to be there every night.
Bosh, 30, will have a chance to log scoring numbers resembling those from his days as a Toronto Raptor, when he posted 23 points per game from 2006 through 2010. He's more skilled now than he was then and has evolved into one of the better shooting big men in the league. He'll presumably be getting the ball more on the block than he did when James was on board, which for years was his calling card.
With the freedom to take 16, 17, 18 shots per night, present-day Bosh can do things that a Raptors-era Bosh wasn't capable of. Wade is a top-tier talent when he's healthy, but how often can the Heat count on him to be there?
Milwaukee Bucks
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Who's playing where?
Though expectations are low and their ceiling isn't particularly high either, the Milwaukee Bucks have several intriguing, versatile players to build with moving forward. Figuring out their roles within the lineup is the first step.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is already one of the more versatile 6'11" players in the league. With the build and skill set of a wing player and the lankiness of a stretch big, the Greek Freak could play every position on the floor. New coach Jason Kidd has mentioned running him out as the league's tallest point guard ever.
Jabari Parker, drafted second overall this summer, is another intriguing piece. At 6'8", 240 pounds, the Duke product has prototypical size at small forward. His quickness makes him a candidate to stick in the backcourt, and his 7-foot wingspan and a bit more size—which could be added in the coming years—could be put to use at the 4.
Parker was frequently compared to Carmelo Anthony during his college career, and those comparisons aren't without merit, notes SI.com's Peter Bukowski:
"Parker has embraced comparisons to Carmelo Anthony, seen as a pejorative in some ways, and the numbers bear out a striking resemblance.
Per 40 minutes, Parker averages 25.8 points per game, 11.4 rebounds, making 51.5 percent of his two-point buckets and 36.7 percent of his threes.
Per 40 minutes as a freshman at Syracuse, Carmelo averaged 24.4 points per game, 11 rebounds, making 49.6 percent of his twos, and 33.7 percent of his threes.
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A bit more slender at the time he was drafted, 'Melo was occasionally run in the backcourt but was predominantly a 3 over his career with the Denver Nuggets. As the league has evolved and Anthony's body has matured, he's thrived at power forward, where he's a matchup nightmare for traditional 4s.
Brandon Knight, Nate Wolters and Kendall Marshall all should factor into the rotation at point, and O.J. Mayo needs to fit in somewhere. With these versatile pieces, Milwaukee may be fun to watch in the years to come. But in the short term, figuring out the structure of things is most important.
Minnesota Timberwolves
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How long do the Wolves expect this rebuild to take?
The Timberwolves lost a league-best talent in Kevin Love, but they netted a very attractive return to move forward with. What remains to be seen is how Flip Saunders plans on running the rebuild.
It's interesting for Saunders, a veteran head coach who hired himself back when the team was still attempting to convince Love to return. After failing to retain Love, Saunders now has a core of young talent mixed in with a few pieces from the previous era.
At small forward, Andrew Wiggins and Corey Brewer will share time, with Wiggins likely taking over the starting spot. In his current form, a 19-year-old Wiggins is a very similar player to Brewer. Both make an impact on defense and can thrive inside offensively. Of course, Wiggins' ceiling is much higher than what he can give as a rookie in 2014-15.
Zach LaVine, Anthony Bennett and Gorgui Dieng are all very attractive pieces to build with. But in Brewer, Mo Williams, Kevin Martin, Ricky Rubio, Thaddeus Young and Nikola Pekovic, Saunders has more experienced players whom he may turn to in the midst of competition.
For the sake of the future, it'll be important for the coach to give his young players a chance to grow. He has to realize that 2014-15 performance isn't the most important thing about 2014-15. Thus far, it sounds like Saunders is ready to embrace the youth throughout the roster.
New Orleans Pelicans
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Are Jrue Holiday, Eric Gordon, Tyreke Evans and Ryan Anderson healthy again?
The New Orleans Pelicans may not have a prototypical 1 through 3 in the starting lineup. Jrue Holiday is a point guard who thrives with the ball, while Eric Gordon is a smaller combo guard who is a perennial 20-point scorer. Tyreke Evans is an undersized small forward. It's clunky, but if all are healthy, it's a very talented supporting cast.
The reason they're just the supporters is because New Orleans has the league's next superstar on its hands in Anthony Davis. With Davis good for 20 points and 10 rebounds every night, the Pelicans don't need anything flashy from the rest of the team to remain competent. If Holiday, Gordon and Evans are healthy and in sync, though, they have the potential to do great things, which—paired with Davis' dominance—could make the Pelicans a scary matchup for anyone.
Holiday is returning from shin surgery. Meanwhile, Gordon had a knee procedure in April, and Evans had one in May.
Ryan Anderson is returning from neck surgery, but before he went down last season, he was enjoying a breakout campaign, posting 19.8 points on 41 percent shooting from downtown. If he can return to that form, the Pelicans should have no problem spacing things out for Davis to work inside.
With Omer Asik involved as an elite rebounder and rim protector, Davis has a tremendously versatile surrounding cast—that is, if everyone is healthy.
New York Knicks
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Will Amar'e Stoudemire and Andrea Bargnani be contributors?
Phil Jackson's renovation of the New York Knicks franchise is already apparent, with Derek Fisher in as head coach, several triangle-offense connoisseurs in as assistants and a sudden infusion of youth cemented as a core.
Though Jackson did his best to accelerate the process, ridding the Knicks of all the previous regime's mistakes was impossible. The team is in an awkward, in-between stage of a rebuild, and this season will be difficult for Fisher to manage, with a mixture of youth and older leftovers expecting minutes.
The two primary culprits are the team's highest and third-highest paid players: Amar'e Stoudemire and Andrea Bargnani, each in the last season of his contract.
Last season, the Knicks were 8.5 points per 100 possessions worse with STAT on the floor. They were 8.1 points worse with Bargnani playing.
Both players are natural power forwards, which is a problem for a few reasons. Over the last two seasons, it's become clear that Carmelo Anthony thrives at the 4 and is a matchup nightmare for opponents at that position. According to 82games.com, he posted a player efficiency rating of 22 at small forward last year and a PER of 27.1 at the power forward.
If Stoudemire or Bargnani is playing the center position, the Knicks have no rim protection. If one of them is playing the power forward, that bumps Anthony back down to the 3, where he's less effective and takes away a spot from one of New York's athletic wings.
Iman Shumpert, J.R. Smith, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Cleanthony Early will all be fighting for minutes there, and if Anthony is playing wing too, those are minutes the Knicks won't be able to court an optimal 'Melo lineup—with a point guard and two guards who can shoot from deep.
Before camp even starts, the team needs to settle Bargnani and Stoudemire's roles so that the true contributors know what's in store this season.
Oklahoma City Thunder
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Can Scott Brooks construct a winning rotation?
A common theme over the last few seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder has been Scott Brooks' propensity to mismanage rotations, thus giving his teams a worse chance of winning than if he played the correct players.
In past seasons, he's had his veteran mainstays who generally got the call whenever situations got tough—typically Derek Fisher in the backcourt and Kendrick Perkins in the paint. Perkins is still somehow manning the middle for OKC at a $9.4 million price tag, but Fisher has moved on to the coaching ranks, and the team has a void at shooting guard.
If Brooks considers Reggie Jackson the backup point to Russell Westbrook, the lone shooting guards on the depth chart are Jeremy Lamb and Anthony Morrow.
Lamb will be entering his third year with the Thunder. Brooks has been sporadic with his minutes over his brief career, and the 22-year-old has struggled to get into much of a rhythm. This past postseason, his minutes dropped to fewer than nine per game, and Brooks decided not to play him in eight of the team's 19 postseason contests. During the 2013 postseason, he didn't appear at all.
Lamb has the skill set to possibly make an impact as a starter, but it's yet to be seen if Brooks will give him that chance.
Morrow has been a knockdown shooter in years past but has averaged fewer than 16 minutes per game over the last two seasons and has yet to appear in a postseason.
Royce Young of Daily Thunder spoke with Morrow shortly after he signed with the Thunder:
"Whatever the staff, whatever the team needs me to do. I’m going on my seventh year. I’ve started, I’ve come off the bench. It really doesn’t matter to me at all. It’s just a situation where I want to help the team. In free agency, I saw a need and a void I could fill in terms of shooting the ball and at the same time, it’s two superstars, actually, in my opinion three superstars with Serge, a guy that can draw a lot of attention and get in the paint and I can stand out there and make it easier on him as well. Whatever coach needs me to do, whatever my role is, I’m ready to embrace it. It doesn’t matter.
"
Andre Roberson is another way to go for Brooks with shooting guard minutes, but after appearing for just nine total playoff minutes as a rookie, and considering Brooks' affinity to stray away from inexperience, Roberson will really need to earn it.
If Brooks can find the right combination, and add some creativity to his notoriously unimaginative offense, the Thunder should be in the conversation for title favorites heading into the year.
Orlando Magic
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What is Orlando's identity, and what is the team still missing?
The Orlando Magic have compiled tons of young talent since dealing Dwight Howard in 2012. But right now, all those puzzle pieces are scattered in every direction with no way of telling what anything is just yet.
The Magic spent last season experimenting with Victor Oladipo at the point guard position, and he played fairly well, posting 14 points, four rebounds and four assists per game. This summer, they drafted Elfrid Payton to man the point, presumably bumping Oladipo back over to his more natural 2.
The team dealt Arron Afflalo to Denver for Evan Fournier to get some three-point shooting in the backcourt for the long term.
At the forward positions, Tobias Harris, Moe Harkless, Aaron Gordon and Andrew Nicholson are all great pieces to build with, but at least at this point, those players all seem to have way-too-similar skill sets to coexist and develop on the same roster. None of the four has shown an ability to consistently hit from outside.
Harris and Harkless thrive on cuts and slashes, while Nicholson is a methodical big man who's trying to work in a long two. Gordon is basically limited to shots at the rim.
The team added Channing Frye to help infuse some shooting into the lineup, but with most of its core being such poor perimeter scorers, Orlando has some more work to do before it's set to move out of the rebuilding stage.
Philadelphia 76ers
23 of 30
How many keepers are on the roster?
Here's the Philadelphia 76ers roster. It's not pretty. You may not be familiar with one, two or maybe half the names you'll find. But aside from Michael Carter-Williams, Joel Embiid and Nerlens Noel, there have to be some guys worth hanging onto for the future, right?
Hollis Thompson made 40 percent of his threes and averaged 6.0 points and 3.2 rebounds over 27 minutes last season as an undrafted rookie. Tony Wroten doesn't have a particularly broad skill set for a guard but brings pressure on defense, and hey, he was the first player ever to log a triple-double in his first NBA start.
Pierre Jackson is likely out for the season after tearing his Achilles in the summer league, but he's impressed in Orlando summer play and in the D-League. K.J. McDaniels possesses athleticism that can translate to NBA success, and ditto for Jerami Grant.
This year has the potential to be historically bad for the 76ers, but some players may last beyond the season.
Phoenix Suns
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Will there be an odd man out in Phoenix's backcourt?
With Eric Bledsoe's contract situation pointing more and more toward a return to the Phoenix Suns for at least one more season, the backcourt will be loaded after signing Isaiah Thomas away from the Sacramento Kings and with Goran Dragic under contract for one more year as well.
Thomas is fresh off a 20-point, six-assist, three-rebound per-game showing with the Kings, while Bledsoe and Dragic formed one of the league's most dynamic backcourt combos last season with the Suns. They combined for 38 points and more than 11 assists per game in 2013-14.
In his introductory press conference, Thomas suggested he can fill whatever role the team needs, whether it be starting or coming off the bench, per The Associated Press (via ESPN.com):
"I value myself as a starter, but when it comes down to winning, I'll do anything it takes to win. I want to be on a winning team. ... At the end of the day, we're going to play with each other, no matter who starts and who comes off the bench. It's about winning. The individual success will come.
"
As the league's most pleasant surprise a year ago, the Suns went on to win 48 games and fell just shy of a playoff spot. Dragic and Bledsoe led the team in minutes per game, but with Thomas around this season, that could very well change.
Thomas seems open to contributing as a sixth man, but in reality, the three potent guards will likely contribute similarly all year long, regardless of who starts. It's a tricky situation for Jeff Hornacek in his second year at the helm, but it's certainly a good problem to have.
Portland Trail Blazers
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Does Portland finally have a suitable bench?
The Portland Trail Blazers were another one of the league's more fun surprises under Terry Stotts. They marched all the way to the Western Conference Semifinals against the San Antonio Spurs and built a solid foundation for the years ahead with the current core.
The problem, though, has been everything besides that core. Only six different players started for the Blazers all year. Only two different starting lineups were used, and that was for a 13-game stretch when LaMarcus Aldridge was forced out with injury. Consistency is a good thing, but not when it's out of necessity. The Blazers bench, though improved from the year prior, was still subpar.
This offseason, they worked to improve it yet again. They added Steve Blake to help out the guards and Chris Kaman to back up the bigs. Dorell Wright and Thomas Robinson should also contribute off the pine, while Will Barton, Allen Crabbe and C.J. McCollum are all waiting for their chances.
Kaman will be joining his fifth team in as many years after averaging 10.4 points and 5.9 rebounds over 18.9 minutes for Mike D'Antoni's Lakers last season. Blake posted 6.9 points and 5.6 assists on 37.6 percent shooting from three-point range with the Lakers and Warriors in 2013-14.
The two additions give Portland legitimate options off the bench, which is a change from seasons past. But to keep it that way, the Blazers will need to be essentially injury-free for a second straight year, which is more difficult than it sounds.
Sacramento Kings
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Which Rudy Gay will show up this season?
After Rudy Gay's return to fans' good graces with the Sacramento Kings last season, the jury is still out as he enters a contract year.
Notorious for killing possessions with isolation attempts that typically end in the mid-range, Gay's field-goal percentage improved from 38.8 over 18 games with the Toronto Raptors last year to 48.2 percent with the Kings over the final 55.
He cut his field-goal attempts from 19 per contest to 15 while putting up more points than he did with Toronto. Predictably, his net rating rose from minus-5.7 with Toronto to plus-2.4 with Sacramento.
One question remains: Was it a fluke, or did Gay morph into a sound scorer seemingly overnight?
If Sacramento gets the Gay it had last season, he'll command serious suitors on the free-agent market next summer—and the Kings may be interested in locking him up for the long term. If the Gay from Toronto shows up? Different story.
San Antonio Spurs
27 of 30
Is this the year Kawhi Leonard takes over?
Without attempting to predict the San Antonio Spurs' eventual demise (because we're convinced that day will never, ever come), it's more worthwhile to try and predict who's next in their long line of humble heroes. Clearly, after last season's incredible Finals run, that player is Kawhi Leonard.
It's evident that Leonard will be the Spurs' new focal point once Tim Duncan finally calls it a career. But there has to be some point where he gets tired of waiting and his play all but demands a more significant role. There's no way a player of his caliber can tolerate being overlooked for this long—he can't really be this Spursian, can he?
For his career, he's averaging 10.9 points, 5.8 boards, 1.6 assists and 1.6 steals while shooting 50.5 percent from the field and 37.6 percent from deep. In the playoffs, he averages 12.6 points and 7.4 boards while shooting 42 percent from three-point range. All this while Gregg Popovich rarely, if ever, calls a play for the 23-year-old.
It's not a matter of if, but when Leonard's play demands the recognition it deserves. Is this the year?
Toronto Raptors
28 of 30
Was last year the Raptors' ceiling?
The Toronto Raptors managed to return most of their third-seeded group from last year, namely point guard Kyle Lowry. Greivis Vasquez and Patrick Patterson are also back on new deals.
They were one of the surprises out East, and a lot of it was due to Lowry's stellar play during his contract year. His 17.9 points, 7.4 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 38 percent shooting from three-point range were primary factors in the team's surge. DeMar DeRozan's breakout year—he led the team with 22.7 points—was also huge.
Management added Lou Williams from the Atlanta Hawks and picked up an unknown through the draft in Bruno Caboclo. But the rest of the depth chart looks nearly identical to last year's.
We'll need to see that Lowry's performance wasn't the contract-year boost players often display. DeRozan's improved performance may have been a direct result of increased volume. These are things we can't be sure of just yet.
Was last year as good as it can get for this particular group? Or is there room for the Raptors to get even better than No. 3 seed and leap the Bulls or Cavs? It'll be important for realistic expectations to be set heading into the season.
Utah Jazz
29 of 30
Can new coach Quin Snyder make all the backcourt talent mesh?
The dynamic of a potential Dante Exum-Trey Burke pairing has been discussed all summer, and rightfully so. But the inclusion of another standout, Alec Burks, shouldn't be overlooked.
Burks averaged 14 points last year on 45 percent shooting while grabbing three rebounds, putting up three assists and coming away with one steal over 28 minutes per game. At 6'6", he could play minutes at the 3, but his more natural spot at this stage is in the backcourt.
Burke, in his rookie year, had a rough go of it. His shots from deep fell at just a 33 percent clip, and his overall field-goal rate was 38 percent.
Exum brings lanky athleticism to the table. After drafting him fifth this summer, Utah will do its best to include him whenever possible. He hasn't shown an ability to hit a jumper with regularity, though he's still developing at only 19.
Toure' Murry also should factor in after signing a two-year, partially guaranteed deal this summer. With the Knicks as a rookie, Murry showed that he has good size and athleticism at the point and brings pressure on defense.
There's a lot of raw ability there for a first-year head coach to work with. It's imperative that Quin Snyder develops these young pieces.
Washington Wizards
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Will the bench be healthy and reliable?
After an impressive run last season, the Washington Wizards are expecting a similar fortune in 2014-15. They've added Paul Pierce to presumably start at the small forward, while Marcin Gortat, Nene, Bradley Beal and John Wall all return in their lead roles.
Behind them, though, are some new faces that can presumably bolster the second team, as well as some old ones that are looking to bounce back.
In the backcourt, Andre Miller will be going through his first training camp with the Wiz after coming over midway through last season. Miller is 38, though, and played just 14.7 minutes per game last season over 28 games with Washington. If Miller crumbles, Garrett Temple is the only other answer at point behind Wall.
Behind Pierce, Martell Webster plans on returning from back surgery early in the season. He underwent his third back procedure last June, and the original timetable for return was three to five months. Over the last two seasons he has shot 40.7 percent from three-point range, averaging 10.6 points in 28.3 minutes of action. If he can return to form quickly and fully, he's a weapon off the bench that can space the floor for everyone else.
Otto Porter, after failing to make much noise as a rookie, could factor into the rotation, especially if Webster misses significant time to begin the year. The third overall pick of 2013 averaged less than nine minutes per game last season, and when he was in there, he shot just 36 percent, made four of his 21 threes and recorded a PER of six.
In the Las Vegas Summer League, he posted 18 points on 48 percent shooting to go along with six boards and two assists, including a 25-point, 11-of-16 shooting night against Atlanta. If he can contribute half of that stat line, he'll be a worthy contributor for Randy Wittman.
Kris Humphries was added as a reserve in the frontcourt, and he should be useful in limited time. As a Celtic last season, he averaged eight points and six boards over 18 minutes. He'll join Drew Gooden and DeJuan Blair on that reserve unit, who round out a solid bench squad on paper.
How solid it is on the court will be the difference between an improvement on last season and a regression.
