The Biggest Problem Each NBA Team Faces in Upcoming 2015-16 Season
The NBA offseason can be powerful.
It creates optimism, dashes dreams, fortifies contenders and weakens pretenders. For all intents and purposes, the 2015 version is done with all of the above.
That means, among other things, any problems that haven't yet been corrected will persist into the upcoming campaign. And every club has at least one stain it will carry into the 2015-16 season.
We're here to bring each team's biggest problem to light. These could be anything from personnel additions and subtractions to statistical issues that are still lingering from last season. Each one threatens to unravel whatever plans these teams have for the 82-game trek that lies ahead.
Atlanta Hawks: Replacing DeMarre Carroll
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The Atlanta Hawks knew they would lose a starting forward over the offseason. With a finite amount of funds to throw around, they had to choose between DeMarre Carroll and Paul Millsap.
They opted for Millsap's versatility over Carroll's three-and-D skills. Even if that was the right call, it still leaves Atlanta with a problematic vacancy on the perimeter.
The Hawks have several options but none that completely replaces Carroll's adaptable defense and altruistic offense. Thabo Sefolosha comes closest, but he's limited offensively and still recovering from a broken right fibula. Tim Hardaway Jr., Kent Bazemore and Justin Holiday all need more polish to become consistent contributors.
Atlanta will still return four starters from a 60-win team, but that open spot must be claimed sooner rather than later. The Hawks didn't have a weak link in last season's opening lineup, and the success of their egalitarian system will depend on their ability to continue that trend.
Boston Celtics: Roster Redundancies
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Patience has been more of a necessity than a virtue for the rebuilding Boston Celtics. Unable to snare a quick-fix star, the Shamrocks have hoarded trade chips and waited for the right moment to cash them in.
It's the right strategy to follow, but it has its drawbacks. Namely, this roster reads more like a collection of assets than an actual team.
The Celtics are overloaded with power forwards and undersized, defensive-minded guards. It's one thing to have depth, but it's quite another to be loaded in some spots and dangerously thin in others. Boston could have major trouble finding reliable perimeter scoring, three-point shooting and rim protection.
Celtics head coach Brad Stevens has one of the sharpest minds in the business, so he might find a way to turn this overlapping bunch into a formidable force. But at some point this franchise needs to make a substantial move that not only delivers a badly needed star but also helps this roster find some balance.
Brooklyn Nets: No Proven Playmakers
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The Brooklyn Nets gave a big lift to their future when they stretched the remainder of Deron Williams' burdensome contract. After backing themselves into a corner these past few seasons, the Nets could have a decent amount of spending money as soon as next summer.
But this upcoming campaign could be rough. The Nets won't miss Williams' contract, but they'll miss his presence at the front of their offensive attack. He might have struggled individually last season, but the Nets fared 6.8 points per 100 possessions better when he played.
Brooklyn won't have an easy time filling that void. Jarrett Jack will likely serve as a stopgap, but the ball has a tendency to stick in his hands. Third-year guard Shane Larkin is still searching for his NBA niche. Donald Sloan is joining his fifth team in five seasons. Undrafted rookie Ryan Boatright has only a partially guaranteed contract.
The Nets don't have many self-sufficient scorers, so they need a savvy table-setter to generate offensive opportunities. It could take more time and salary savings to find that floor general.
Charlotte Hornets: Missing a No. 1 Option
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Defense helped the Charlotte Hornets make a surprise appearance in the 2014 postseason, but they have since banked their playoff hopes on their revamped offensive attack. They acquired a slew of new faces during the offseason, most of whom will be tasked with resuscitating the third least-efficient offense of the 2014-15 campaign.
Do-it-all swingman Nicolas Batum gives Charlotte a three-point threat and secondary creator on the wing. Frank Kaminsky and Spencer Hawes both expand the Hornets' frontcourt shooting range. Jeremy Lin and Tyler Hansbrough inject some energy into the second unit, while long-range gunner Jeremy Lamb could scratch this club's itch for a sniper.
But when the Hornets desperately need a bucket, it's still tough to tell where they will turn.
Al Jefferson turned 30 in January and had his lowest scoring season since 2006-07 (16.6 points per game). Kemba Walker owns a career 39.5 field-goal percentage. Batum is coming off the worst shooting campaign of his career: 40.0 percent from the field, 32.4 percent from deep.
Charlotte has more scoring quantity than before, but the overall quality could still be lacking.
Chicago Bulls: Sea of Injury Red Flags
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Not even the coaching change from Tom Thibodeau to Fred Hoiberg can stop the Windy City's least favorite broken record: The Chicago Bulls will be a force if they can stay healthy.
Derrick Rose made it through 51 games last season—more than he'd played the previous three combined—but he shot just 40.5 percent from the field and coughed up 3.8 turnovers per 36 minutes. Joakim Noah, who had knee surgery in May 2014, posted the worst player efficiency rating of his career (15.3). Pau Gasol avoided the injury bug, but the 35-year-old's defense is showing his age.
The Bulls had three players clear the 75-game mark last season: Gasol, Nikola Mirotic and Aaron Brooks. They can't afford to have that many obstacles when Hoiberg makes his maiden NBA voyage.
Chicago could earn a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals or it might struggle to escape the opening round. No outcome feels outside the realm of possibility for this oft-injured bunch.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Maintaining Multiple Identities
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If the Cleveland Cavaliers keep LeBron James healthy, they should cement themselves as the cream of the Eastern Conference crop. The King has carried his team to five consecutive NBA Finals berths, and last season's Cavs fell two wins shy of a title despite losing Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving to postseason-ending injuries.
On paper, the East doesn't have another team at Cleveland's elite level. Even though the Cavs could be without Irving for a while and haven't figured out Tristan Thompson's contract situation yet, they're still overwhelming favorites in the NBA's lesser half.
But the potential for trouble exists nonetheless. The frontcourt is packed to the brim with capable players—at least, it will be once Thompson puts pen to paper—and not everyone will get the minutes he wants. Cleveland could also have some uncomfortable conversations on the horizon if it hopes to maintain a defensive identity while welcoming Irving and Love back to the fold.
Cavs coach David Blatt must figure out how to divide the floor time and who works well together. The quicker he finds those answers, the more time the Cavs have to create the right chemistry. That internal challenge could easily be more difficult than anything the Eastern Conference throws in front of them.
Dallas Mavericks: Injuries and Aging
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Before DeAndre Jordan's dramatic change of heart, the Dallas Mavericks seemed to have put both their present and future into good hands. But now, this roster is overloaded with past-their-prime players and present injury issues.
Dirk Nowitzki might be as close to a sure thing as the Mavs have, and he's 37 years old and just posted his worst player efficiency rating since 1999-00 (19.2). Deron Williams had the worst shooting season of his career (38.7 percent from the field) and narrowly missed a new low in points per game with 13.0.
And those two aren't even Dallas' biggest wild cards. That distinction goes to Wesley Matthews, who ruptured his Achilles tendon in March, and Chandler Parsons, who had knee surgery in May.
There's some talent between the quartet, but it's not as good as it used to be or not currently 100 percent. To make matters worse, the supporting cast lacks a comfortable option at center. With no Jordan or Tyson Chandler, Dallas is left hoping to catch lightning in a bottle with JaVale McGee, Zaza Pachulia, Samuel Dalembert, Jarrid Famous or Salah Mejri.
Denver Nuggets: Fluid Pecking Order
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The Denver Nuggets could have their long-term leader in rookie Emmanuel Mudiay. The 19-year-old has great size (6'5" 200 lbs), elite athleticism and sound instincts. If he finds consistent success with his jump shot, he could be the star the Nuggets have missed since Carmelo Anthony's departure.
But no one should expect Mudiay to climb the NBA ladder as a rookie. And sophomore center Jusuf Nurkic still needs copious amounts of seasoning.
The Nuggets aren't ready to hand the franchise keys over to the prospects, but their "veteran" collection lacks any obvious leader. Danilo Gallinari has flashed top-shelf talent, but he hasn't consistently performed like a star. Both Wilson Chandler and Kenneth Faried are even farther from that label.
If Denver hopes to be competitive this season, it needs to lean on Gallinari, Chandler and Faried while the youngsters find their footing. But the Nuggets also need to develop their young pieces to have any hope of climbing into contender status. New head coach Michael Malone must find the balance between playing for today and planning for tomorrow.
Detroit Pistons: Perimeter Questions
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The Detroit Pistons should look more like a Stan Van Gundy-led team next season. Everything will likely revolve around 22-year-old centerpiece Andre Drummond—who's sure to land a massive contract this offseason or next—and he'll have more room to breathe with the stretchy Ersan Ilyasova alongside him.
But the backcourt brings more questions than answers.
The Pistons made a five-year, $80 million investment in Reggie Jackson, but his next season as a full-time starter will be his first. Detroit must also deal with the return of Brandon Jennings, who was playing near an All-Star level (20.9 points and 7.2 assists per game in January) before he tore his left Achilles tendon.
On the wings, Detroit is still waiting for former lottery pick Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (No. 8 in 2013) to find his long-range touch (career 33.7 three-point percentage). Jodie Meeks struggled during his first season of a three-year, $19 million deal. Marcus Morris has started fewer than 23 percent of his career games, and rookie Stanley Johnson won't turn 20 until May.
Van Gundy the president clearly trusts Van Gundy the coach to properly assemble these puzzle pieces.
Golden State Warriors: Threat of Complacency
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Last season was nothing short of a dream for the Golden State Warriors. They crushed their previous high mark with 67 wins before securing the franchise's first world title in 40 years.
The Dubs have enough young talent to contend for the crown next spring—and perhaps several more to follow. But they were officially pinched at their coronation. Their new reality includes a target on their back and another grueling grind to the top.
As dominant as last season's title run was, it guarantees nothing for this campaign. The Warriors can't rest on their accomplishments. They have to fight against contentment, and that struggle is already on their minds.
"We might have to battle some things early in the season to get our rhythm quickly, but I feel like once we start the season you get amped up with the task at hand and not really looking back at what happened in June," Stephen Curry told Sports Illustrated's Matt Dollinger.
Houston Rockets: Two Guards, One Spot
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The Houston Rockets have found the ideal backcourt mate for MVP runner-up James Harden. Unfortunately, that player is an amalgamation of guards Ty Lawson and Patrick Beverley.
Lawson, acquired in an offseason trade from the Nuggets, should help Houston find some badly needed non-Harden offense. When The Beard took a breather last season, the Rockets' offensive efficiency plummeted by 14.0 points per 100 possessions. Houston needed a second creator, and in Lawson it has one of the NBA's three players to average at least 15 points and eight assists in each of the past two seasons.
But Harden's dream sidekick wouldn't be as ball-dominant as Lawson, and he wouldn't defend like him either. He'd play a style like Beverley's, only more efficient from three and more imaginative as an initiator.
The Rockets can (and will) mix and match Lawson and Beverley to complement Harden on both sides of the ball. But head coach Kevin McHale must masterfully navigate this high-wire act between Lawson's defensive deficiencies and Beverley's offensive limitations.
Indiana Pacers: Thinned Frontcourt
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Eyeing a smaller lineup and faster tempo, the Indiana Pacers demolished their defensive stone wall. Longtime interior anchors Roy Hibbert and David West vacated their posts. Their replacements are either unproven or uninspiring.
Rookie Myles Turner is the most intriguing of the bunch, a 19-year-old 7-footer with a chance to become the rare floor-spacer and rim-protector. Ian Mahinmi is a dependable reserve, but he could be forced into starting duty until Turner is ready. Newcomer Jordan Hill has averaged 20-plus minutes twice—on Los Angeles Lakers teams that went a combined 48-116.
The Pacers can trot out different bodies in small-ball lineups. Paul George is set to receive at least some of his minutes at the 4, and Chase Budinger could see time at both forward spots.
But a smaller, quicker frontcourt could prove vulnerable at the rim, which might mean nightmarish results for a defense with the undersized gambler Monta Ellis (6'3", 185 lbs) on the wing. Sparking this often stagnant offense can be a good thing, but only if its improvements don't come at the defense's expense.
Los Angeles Clippers: Porous Perimeter Defense
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The Los Angeles Clippers entered the summer short on assets, came uncomfortably close to a disaster scenario and ultimately emerged with more depth than they've had in years.
For being restricted to the bargain bin, they found an absurd amount of value. Reinforcements arrived all over the floor: Pablo Prigioni and Lance Stephenson in the backcourt; Paul Pierce and Wesley Johnson on the wings; Josh Smith, Cole Aldrich, Chuck Hayes and Branden Dawson up front.
The Clippers had two pressing needs last season. Depth was one, and if they haven't solved that, they've at least addressed it. But their issues with perimeter defense look as significant as ever.
Matt Barnes was the closest thing they had to a perimeter stopper, and he's since taken his disruptive play to the Memphis Grizzlies. Stephenson can be similarly pesky, but his offense has to bounce back from last season's atrocity. If Born Ready can't cut it, the Clippers will have to rely on the consistently inconsistent Johnson, the aging Pierce, the unproven C.J. Wilcox and the unpredictable Smith to defend opposing swingmen.
Los Angeles Lakers: Caught Between Two Eras
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The Los Angeles Lakers must believe a return to their glory days remains a possibility for next season. If they didn't carry that hope, they wouldn't be paying Kobe Bryant $25 million, have Byron Scott manning the sidelines or have veterans Lou Williams, Brandon Bass and Roy Hibbert included in their offseason haul.
But no amount of hope can change L.A.'s 48-116 record over the past two seasons. Nor can it decrease the need for player development, which part-owner and executive vice president of basketball operations Jim Buss admits is his primary focus for next season.
"To me, the barometer of success at the end of next year...is if we have eight core players that are going to be Lakers for the next five years," Buss told Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times. "It's not a number of wins. It's not if we make the playoffs. ... It matters that we have core players, and that these guys are our future."
D'Angelo Russell, Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson all look like the Lakers' future. But Bryant, the veterans and the success-starved Scott are still part of their present. Until the franchise makes a clean break from its past, it won't be able to open its next chapter.
Memphis Grizzlies: Small Forward Flaws
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The Memphis Grizzlies aren't in the gray area between good and great on the strength of their grit-and-grind mentality alone. Their personnel make them the club that no rivals want to face come playoff time.
The interior tandem of Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph is among the league's best. The backcourt duo of Mike Conley and Courtney Lee makes its presence felt on both sides of the ball. The reserve unit added some interesting new weapons over the offseason in uber-efficient big man Brandan Wright and gritty two-way forward Matt Barnes.
Memphis has the makings of a championship puzzle, but it still seems to be missing a critical piece: All of the small forward options have blemishes.
Tony Allen is a terror defensively, but his lack of offense can be just as frightening. Jeff Green's maddening inconsistency leaves him vacillating between dominant and dormant. Barnes will turn 36 before season's end, and his age is affecting all aspects of his game.
For the Grizzlies to complete their leap from good to great, they'll have to find the missing link for their starting five.
Miami Heat: No Margin for Error
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The reloaded Miami Heat are nothing if not intriguing.
"The Heat are compelling, with a glittery starting five that hasn't logged a single minute yet, but they are also fraught with downside," wrote Grantland's Zach Lowe.
On paper, the Heat look like shadow contenders or maybe something even better in the shallow Eastern Conference. There are no obvious weak spots in the opening lineup: Goran Dragic, Dwyane Wade, Luol Deng, Chris Bosh and Hassan Whiteside. The bench grew considerably deeper over the summer with the arrival of rookie Justise Winslow and veterans Amar'e Stoudemire and Gerald Green.
It isn't hard to imagine Miami emerging as Cleveland's biggest challenger, but it takes several assumptions to reach that conclusion. The Heat have to stay healthy, which is something they never were last season. They also have to look as good as they sound, since that starting group has yet to share the floor.
And Miami has to make this nucleus work right now. Wade, Bosh, Deng and Stoudemire are all on the wrong side of 30, and Dragic will be there in May. The Heat have one chance to turn this core into a contender.
Milwaukee Bucks: Zero Spacing
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The Milwaukee Bucks' recipe for present and future success includes three key ingredients: length, youth and athleticism. All three components contributed to Milwaukee's rapid ascent to second in defensive efficiency last season (up from 29th the year before).
But notably absent from Milwaukee's makeup is shooting of any kind. Following the trade-deadline deal that shipped out then-leading scorer Brandon Knight and brought back Michael Carter-Williams, the Bucks ranked 26th in offensive efficiency and 28th in three-point makes (5.7 per game).
Free-agency addition Greg Monroe gives Milwaukee an offensive fulcrum who can create shots for himself and his teammates from the high post or the low block. But the Bucks have to show some signs of life from three to give the Moose a little breathing room.
The Bucks have one competent three-point shooter in their projected starting lineup: Khris Middleton, a career 40.3 percent sniper. Giannis Antetokounmpo abandoned the long ball last season (7-of-44, 15.9 percent), and Carter Williams has never hit it consistently (career 25.2 percent). Jabari Parker largely left it alone during the 25 games he played before tearing his ACL (4-of-16, 25 percent).
Minnesota Timberwolves: Roster Isn't Ready
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The dominoes are dropping in the right places for the Minnesota Timberwolves, and their future looks so bright that protective eyewear is now required to view it.
Minnesota's current roster blends a batch of budding prospects with a handful of sage veterans. The wisdom imparted by the likes of Kevin Garnett, Andre Miller and Tayshaun Prince could one day prove invaluable, but the short- and long-term focus should be on mining this young talent.
Last season, the Wolves had the Rookie of the Year in Andrew Wiggins and an All-Rookie second-teamer in Zach LaVine. They could have another award winner in top pick Karl-Anthony Towns, plus there are other prospects scattered in the backcourt (Tyus Jones), on the wing (Shabazz Muhammad) and up front (Gorgui Dieng, Nemanja Bjelica, Adreian Payne and Anthony Bennett).
If half of Minnesota's young talent reaches its potential, this group could make serious noise down the line. But it's going to take plenty of time, patience and polish to reach that point.
New Orleans Pelicans: Too Many Familiar Faces
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The New Orleans Pelicans saw something they liked last season. Following their first playoff appearance since 2011, they spent their summer locking up nearly all of their key pieces. Anthony Davis got a max-contract extension, while Omer Asik, Alexis Ajinca, Dante Cunningham and Luke Babbitt all inked new deals.
Continuity can be valuable in the NBA, but the Pelicans don't have many avenues for internal growth. Davis' rapid rise will surely continue. He's 33 pounds heavier than his rookie weight, and he's adding the long ball to his offensive arsenal. New head coach Alvin Gentry should also add some wrinkles to this team's attack.
But the Pelicans were closer to mediocrity than greatness last season. They ranked 13th in point differential (plus-0.8), per ESPN.com, and 15th in net efficiency rating (plus-0.7 points per 100 possessions). Even with a somehow improved Davis and Gentry's sharp coaching mind, New Orleans might find it didn't do enough to separate itself in the crowded Western Conference.
"It seems as though the team is asking its fans to believe that the same group, given health and a new direction at the top, will suddenly catapult the team into position to contend for an NBA title," wrote Jimmy Smith of the Times-Picayune. "... I'm not buying it."
New York Knicks: Not Enough Proven Pieces
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The New York Knicks carried some impressive recruiting tools into the offseason. Their substantial cap space was enhanced by their enormous market, their on-hand superstar (Carmelo Anthony) and the living legend calling their shots (Phil Jackson).
But there were 65 things working against those selling points: the franchise-record 65 defeats they suffered last season. There wasn't enough salary, star power or stature to overcome the damage done during their abysmal 17-win campaign.
The Knicks have positioned themselves to climb out of the cellar this season. They used their free-agent funds to plug multiple holes on the perimeter (Arron Afflalo, Sasha Vujacic) and along the frontcourt (Robin Lopez, Kevin Seraphin, Kyle O'Quinn, Derrick Williams). They left the draft with the highly intriguing scoring 7-footer Kristaps Porzingis and polished playmaker Jerian Grant.
All of these additions—combined with Anthony's return from knee surgery—should lead to some progress for the 'Bockers. Make a big enough step this season, and next summer could be easier to navigate with a better product to sell. But this roster lacks both the top-tier talent and the depth needed to significantly climb the standings.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Life in the Fish Bowl
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The scrutiny surrounding the Oklahoma City Thunder is destined to reach a fever pitch.
The prying eyes of the basketball world will monitor Kevin Durant's every step to see how he's holding up after three surgeries on his right foot last season. They'll watch how Russell Westbrook responds to having another high-volume superstar back in the fold. They'll dissect every decision new head coach Billy Donovan makes during his first NBA go-round.
And should the slightest bit of turbulence arise, everyone will rush to discuss how it might affect Durant's impending free agency.
If the Thunder stay healthy, they should reclaim their place among the NBA's elites. Prior to their injury-riddled 2014-15 campaign, they won more than 70 percent of their games in each of the previous three seasons. Success should be expected, but every hint of trouble will be magnified.
Orlando Magic: Fundamental Flaws
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The Orlando Magic have assembled one of the league's most interesting collections of young talent. Their roster hasn't produced any stars yet, but several of their prospects hold that kind of upside.
The problem is their individual parts might not all fit the same collective puzzle.
Starting guards Elfrid Payton and Victor Oladipo are both relentless defenders and crafty creators. But neither is a reliable shooter from deep, and the floor shrinks when they play together. Center Nikola Vucevic, Orlando's top scorer and rebounder last season, offers no rim protection. If new head coach Scott Skiles plans to win with defense, he'll have to do so without a safety net at the basket.
The Magic can try to work around these issues. The guards could become better shooters—Oladipo, who converted 33.9 percent of his attempts last season, isn't too far below average—or their minutes could become more staggered. Orlando could suffocate teams at the point of attack to prevent them from probing the vulnerable interior.
But this team could have more experimenting to do before it finally exits the rebuilding stage.
Philadelphia 76ers: Limited in All Facets
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It's hard to tell what exactly the Philadelphia 76ers are building, but one thing is certain—the construction is far from finished.
The Sixers' yearslong search for a cornerstone has so far produced two healthy candidates: Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor. The former is a versatile, effective defender who has an organic-granola-raw offensive skill set. The latter boasts a deep bag of low-post scoring tricks, but his limited mobility impacts what he can do defensively.
For now, that's the extent of Philly's rebuilding haul. Joel Embiid, who flashed elite two-way potential during his one season at the University of Kansas, missed his rookie season and is expected to miss his sophomore campaign because of right foot surgery. Versatile forward Dario Saric, a lottery pick in 2014, remains overseas and won't be coming stateside until 2016 at the earliest.
This roster needs help wherever it can get it. The Sixers ranked 30th in offensive efficiency and 29th in point differential (minus-9.0), per ESPN.com, last season. But they're waiting for more reinforcements to arrive before they start measuring their on-court success in anything other than player development.
Phoenix Suns: No Stars
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The desert sky is empty. A long free-agency flirtation with LaMarcus Aldridge nearly changed that, but the Phoenix Suns ultimately left this summer the same way they entered it: with zero stars.
The starting five looks solid with Eric Bledsoe, Brandon Knight and P.J. Tucker along the perimeter and Markieff Morris (provided the Suns hang onto him) and Tyson Chandler up front. But there isn't an established elite player in that bunch. Both Bledsoe and Knight must improve their efficiency to be considered as such, and the 32-year-old Chandler has never had the offense to qualify.
Phoenix has plenty of good pieces, but the lack of great ones could be a crippling blow out West. It doesn't help that the second team is comprised almost entirely of unproven or uninspiring players.
The Suns could be one trade away from solving this problem and launching themselves toward title contention. But substantial progress will be hard to make without that blockbuster exchange.
Portland Trail Blazers: Certainties Replaced with Gambles
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The Portland Trail Blazers didn't reset their entire franchise, but few things survived their sweeping remodeling project.
Damian Lillard stayed put and scored a five-year, $120 million contract extension. Young prospects C.J. McCollum, Meyers Leonard and Allen Crabbe moved up the ladder by virtue of the subtractions around them. But the rest of the roster was hit hard by the winds of change.
Four starters (LaMarcus Aldridge, Robin Lopez, Wesley Matthews and Nicolas Batum) and the sixth man (Arron Afflalo) from last season's 51-win team all bolted over the offseason. The Blazers then filled their ranks with low-cost, moderate-to-high-potential prospects: Al-Farouq Aminu, Noah Vonleh, Mason Plumlee, Ed Davis and Maurice Harkless.
There's enough young talent to carry the Blazers through a quick rebuild if a few of these prospects pan out. But it's still going to take some time for Portland to rejoin the West's playoff race.
Sacramento Kings: Awkward Fits
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The Sacramento Kings should be doing everything in their power to make DeMarcus Cousins as comfortable and productive as possible. He's the best player to pass through the franchise since a prime Chris Webber, and Cousins is the likely key to the Kings' next playoff run (whenever that happens).
But if Sacramento's setup doesn't seem tailor-made for Boogie, that's because it isn't.
The relationship between Cousins and coach George Karl has been uncomfortably awkward, but that isn't Sacramento's biggest issue. There are logistical problems that must be solved first. Such as figuring out how to get Cousins low-post scoring chances in an offense that prioritizes pace and lacks perimeter shooting. Or getting Rajon Rondo back on track in a system that discourages his ball-dominant style.
The Kings found Cousins some defensive support in newcomers Willie Cauley-Stein and Kosta Koufos. But neither of Cousins' new frontcourt mates stretches out a defense, nor does the team's new point guard. Sacramento can ill-afford offensive lapses, as its defense posted the fourth-worst efficiency rating under Karl last season.
San Antonio Spurs: Disrupting the System
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The San Antonio Spurs reeled in the biggest fish from the 2015 free-agency waters, landing the only All-Star from last season to swap jerseys over the summer. But, for their new partnership with LaMarcus Aldridge to work, concessions must be made on both sides of the coin.
Aldridge can't be the same player in San Antonio that he was in Portland. He averaged 22.2 points and 37.2 minutes per game over the past five seasons combined. The last Spur to clear either of those marks in a season was Tim Duncan...in 2003-04 (22.3 points) and 2002-03 (39.3 minutes). Coach Gregg Popovich's equal-opportunity offense just doesn't allow for that type of volume.
Then again, there are signs the Spurs are willing to tweak their philosophies. They just chased a high-profile target and sacrificed continuity to get him. There are new bodies on the assembly line, and it might not run the same way it has before.
San Antonio's absurd run of excellence may well continue, but the Alamo City's old dogs may have to learn some new tricks along the way. The Spurs look fearsome on paper, but it could take some time before they appear the same way on the court.
Toronto Raptors: More Good Than Great
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It isn't hard to imagine a scenario where the Toronto Raptors emerge as the Eastern Conference's second-best team.
Maybe the Bulls sputter under Hoiberg, the Hawks clearly miss DeMarre Carroll, the Heat look their age and the Washington Wizards aren't quite ready for the big stage. The Raptors, who have the East's third-most wins over the past two seasons combined (97), could ride their high-scoring backcourt and defensive additions to the No. 2 seed.
But what would happen then? Where are the top-tier players who could power the Raptors all the way into the franchise's first Finals berth?
DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry do most of the scoring, but neither converted even 42 percent of his field-goal attempts last season. Carroll will help defensively, but he functioned best as a complementary piece in Atlanta. Consistency has long eluded both Jonas Valanciunas and Terrence Ross. Bismack Biyombo is a defensive weapon but an offensive burden.
The Raptors should compete with the East's best once again, but they still seem one major piece short of truly joining the NBA's elite.
Utah Jazz: Glaring Point Guard Hole
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In a perfect world, Dante Exum's ACL would be fine, and the 20-year-old would have all of this upcoming season to continue tapping into his massive potential.
But even in that dream situation, the Utah Jazz would still need point guard help. Considering Exum's ACL is torn and his 2015-16 campaign is likely lost, that need has grown exponentially.
None of the in-house options are great. Trey Burke has posted a grisly 37.4 field-goal percentage over his first two NBA seasons. Bryce Cotton has just 15 NBA games under his belt—or 15 more than newcomer Raul Neto. Alec Burks can man the position in a pinch, but 93 percent of his career minutes have come at other spots on the floor.
The Jazz had to know this would be an issue. Last season, their point guards ranked tied for 25th in scoring (17.4 points per game) and tied for 28th in assists (6.5), per HoopsStats.com. With Exum out of the equation, there's a chance those numbers could fall even lower this time around.
Washington Wizards: Missing the Truth
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Paul Pierce's one-season stay with the Washington Wizards shattered all expectations. The battle-tested veteran was the consummate leader on and off the floor.
Inside the lines, he bolstered the Wizards' playoff attack as a floor-spacing power forward and cool performer in the clutch. Off the court, he held the Wizards' young players accountable and challenged them to strive for greatness.
With Pierce having relocated to his native Los Angeles, the Wizards need players to fill both voids. Leading scorers John Wall and Bradley Beal will have to embrace the leadership duties. Otto Porter, Drew Gooden and newcomers Jared Dudley (who is recovering from back surgery) and Alan Anderson could all see minutes as a small-ball power forward.
If everything breaks right, the Wizards might be able to cover up all the vacancies Pierce left behind. But the jobs he filled will no longer be covered by a single person.
Unless otherwise noted, statistics used courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com and NBA.com.
