One Position Every NBA Team Must Upgrade Before the 2011-12 Season Starts

Every team around the NBA has at least one area of the roster that could certainly use an improvement prior to the 2011-12 season.

While some rosters are riddled with bad contracts, others have gaping holes at a number of positions, but we're here to try and narrow down the biggest need for every team around the league.

There are obvious choices for some clubs, but others will have more difficult decisions ahead, and it's going to be awfully tough to make any choices during a very compacted offseason.

Atlanta Hawks

Area of Improvement: Small Forward

The Hawks' decision to extend the contract of starter Marvin Williams remains a questionable one, and the team needs to secure serious help at the position if the club is going to live up to its fullest potential.

The club has nothing behind Williams for depth in case he stumbles out of the gate, and there's just no way the Hawks can head into the regular season relying so heavily on him.

Boston Celtics

Area of Improvement: Center

O'Neal never made much sense for a team that needs its center to be tough and defensive-minded, and it would be an overwhelmingly large mistake for Boston to rely on his contributions (again) if the team is serious about making one final title run.

The team has to find someone who brings a greater intensity to the table and can actually stay healthy for the duration of a full season, otherwise the opposition could feast inside on a nightly basis.

Charlotte Bobcats

Area of Improvement: Center

Charlotte has to find a way to get some sort of production on both ends of the floor from its big men, and with Kwame Brown an unrestricted free agent, that may very well have to come from outside of the organization.

This is one roster that is a prime example of needs in a litany of areas going forward, but the Bobcats absolutely have to find a real big man to join the fold if the team is going to make any sort of movement in an improved Eastern Conference.

Chicago Bulls

Area of Improvement: Shooting Guard

The combination of Keith Bogans, Ronnie Brewer and Kyle Korver didn't work out as anticipated at the position last season for the Bulls. Chicago needs to get increased production from there if they're is serious about turning the corner and winning a championship.

Although the club has already been mentioned in the same breath as a variety of free-agent shooting guards early in the offseason, the team could look to explore a potential trade as well, as a Derrick Rose extension looms.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Area of Improvement: Shooting Guard

The Cavs need help in more than one area, and although the club did well to land Omri Casspi (even if it was at the expense of J.J. Hickson) prior to the lockout, Cleveland has to get more offensive support on the wing for rookie Kyrie Irving.

Cleveland has a lot of work ahead in order to rebuild the team, and although it may not be a marquee name who joins the roster, the Cavs need to find a way to land a player capable of creating his own shot on the perimeter.

Dallas Mavericks

Area of Improvement: Center

If Chandler leaves the Mavericks in free agency, the team is going to be left with Brendan Haywood as its starter—a steep drop off from what Chandler brought to the table last season.

The club is going to need help in the big man department even if Chandler does re-sign, as the Mavs still don't have a suitable reserve to serve as Dirk Nowitzki's backup off the bench.

Denver Nuggets

Area of Improvement: Power Forward

The Nuggets lost both Wilson Chandler and Kenyon Martin to China during the offseason, so the front line depth is a pressing need that absolutely has to be addressed immediately.

As it currently stands, the Nuggets will go into the season with just Kenneth Faried and Kosta Koufos as the options at power forward, so there's every reason to believe that the team will indeed be pursuing some additional help.

Detroit Pistons

Area of Improvement: Center

The Pistons have a very promising young center in Greg Monroe, but with just an aging Ben Wallace behind him, the team has to think about getting younger and more productive at the position.

There are a lot of question marks on the roster, but the lack of size along the front line is alarming, and the team has to get another banger capable of playing a supporting role down low.

Golden State Warriors

Area of Improvement: Center

The Warriors have just Andris Biedrins in the middle right now, and the team can't afford to rely on just rookie Jeremy Tyler and a raw Ekpe Udoh behind him if they're serious about making some noise in the first season under new head coach Mark Jackson.

Although the Warriors have been linked to some top-tier big man targets, the team doesn't have a plethora of cap space available, making that pursuit one with a rather unlikely successful outcome.

Houston Rockets

Area of Improvement: Center

Last season's undersized starter Chuck Hayes is an unrestricted free agent, and one of the team's first-round picks, big man Donatas Motiejunas, will spend the entire season in Poland playing professionally rather than coming stateside.

Now, the club has to focus on adding size to the roster, and it makes sense that the team is fixated on adding a premier big man with cap space available and a serious need below the basket.

Indiana Pacers

Area of Improvement: Power Forward

The Pacers need to add a starting power forward to complement Roy Hibbert on the front line, and the team has made no secret about its pursuit of an upgrade at the position.

There's every reason to believe that the team is targeting an impact name, and it wouldn't be surprising to see that come to fruition considering the unbelievable amount of cap space the club currently has available.

Los Angeles Clippers

Area of Improvement: Small Forward

Al-Farouq Aminu is just not quite ready to assume a full-time starting role, and a young Clippers team with plenty to get excited about should be able to attract a solid veteran to fill the position for the time being.

The team has been linked heavily to Caron Butler and has also expressed an interest in Tayshaun Prince. Either makes definite sense for a team looking to surge up the Western Conference standings.

Los Angeles Lakers

Area of Improvement: Point Guard

The Lakers need to upgrade at both point guard and small forward, but the lack of production from the point last season was alarmingly low. The club has to improve if the team is serious about keeping the current championship window open.

With trade rumors surrounding the team have been fixated on Chris Paul and Dwight Howard, there's no doubt that the Lakers will look to upgrade all over the roster.

Memphis Grizzlies

Area of Improvement: Shooting Guard

The Grizzlies really don't need to add much to an already very promising roster, assuming the club re-signs Marc Gasol (and they will), but adding depth on the wing with O.J. Mayo's contract set to expire at season's end would be a smart move.

Although Memphis has Josh Selby, Tony Allen and Sam Young all on the bench to help, their team would be in an even better position to make a sustained postseason run.

Miami Heat

Area of Improvement: Center

Some might argue that point guard has to be addressed, but with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade doing the majority of the ball handling, that's not as big of a priority as finding legitimate help inside.

Signing Joel Anthony to a five-year contract last season never made much sense, and now the team is again in the market for a presence down low in an effort not to get attacked by the opposition.

Milwaukee Bucks

Area of Improvement: Power Forward

Drew Gooden has a lot to prove to Milwaukee after signing a lucrative five-year deal with the Bucks prior to last season, and although the team did draft Tobias Harris to serve as support, there is still a lot to be desired next to Andrew Bogut.

Milwaukee could pursue a handful of intriguing options in the market if the club doesn't feel confident on Gooden's chances to stay healthy long-term, and that might be an idea worth pursuing.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Area of Improvement: Shooting Guard

The T-Wolves need a lot, and there really isn't a single area outside of power forward (Kevin Love) that couldn't use a serious overhaul.

There are way too many swingmen on this roster, and perhaps the club can get creative and facilitate a trade of one (or more) in exchange for a legitimate starting shooting guard, an element that the team has lacked in recent seasons.

New Jersey Nets

Area of Improvement: Power Forward

The Nets had sights set on Kris Humphries before the lockout, but now the team is targeting a much more sizable improvement in an effort to get Deron Williams to sign a long-term extension.

The team has to find a player capable of adding offense and asserting himself as a rebounding force on the other end, as incumbent center Brok Lopez just doesn't get up on the glass.

New Orleans Hornets

Area of Improvement: Shooting Guard

The Hornets need just about everything, especially if the team trades Chris Paul in the not-too-distant future, but finding a scorer on the wing should be at the forefront of the to-do list.

A player capable of finding and creating his own shots is what the Hornets need to start the rebuilding project, and that could come via trade or free agency.

New York Knicks

Area of Improvement: Center

The Knicks have been looking for a center since the the early 2000s, and it's about time the team stopped relying on an undersized Ronny Turiaf to log major minutes against much bigger opposition down low.

New York needs to find a defensive-minded center capable of being an absolute monster on the glass. Only then can this team be taken seriously as a legitimate title contender.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Area of Improvement: Center

The Thunder have a much better chance of winning the championship than many are likely expecting, and there isn't a lot that the team has to do to improve the current roster.

Although Nazr Mohamed did re-up with the club, neither Byron Mullens nor Cole Aldrich appear to be real contributors at this point in their careers. The Thunder would be wise to explore the market for a veteran who can contribute in a pinch.

Orlando Magic

Area of Improvement: Small Forward

The Magic have a rather bleak combination of Hedo Turkoglu and Quentin Richardson staring the team in the face entering the season, and neither has exactly been a harbinger of production over recent seasons.

Orlando's inability to be as active as other clubs on the free-agent market will hurt, but the club could look to add a veteran looking to rebuild his image around the league on a short-term deal that work out well for both sides.

Philadelphia 76ers

Area of Improvement: Center

The Sixers need to move on from the Spencer Hawes experiment inside, and although the team has a promising rookie in Nikola Vucevic, it would be a mistake to rely on him alone at this time.

There is an intriguing group of players currently on this roster, but Philadelphia is too thin down low to make a legitimate postseason push until an upgrade is brought in to bolster the low-post attack.

Phoenix Suns

Area of Improvement: Point Guard

Aaron Brooks signing in China for the season leaves the team with just Zabian Dowdell behind Steve Nash, and with an expedited schedule and less recovery time between games, that's a pressing area of concern.

The club would be wise to explore a one-year deal for a backup like Earl Watson so no financial flexibility is jeopardized in the future, as when Brooks returns, the Suns will hold his rights as a restricted free agent.

Portland Trail Blazers

Area of Improvement: Center

Even if Greg Oden returns (which seems likely), Portland has an aging Marcus Camby to pair with him, and neither is anywhere near a lock to make it through a full season without missing a few games.

It doesn't have to be with anybody special or who will make heads turn, but the team definitely has to address depth at the position considering the fragility of both players mentioned above.

Sacramento Kings

Area of Improvement: Center

The team has an unbelievable amount of guards and swingmen on the roster, and although the Kings also boast some size down low, much of it is rather raw and there is no certainty that they will contribute.

Samuel Dalembert looks likely to depart via free agency, and although the team has DeMarcus Cousins set to take over and brought in J.J. Hickson in the offseason as well, this is a team with serious cap space that needs to welcome serviceable depth behind them.

San Antonio Spurs

Area of Improvement: Small Forward

When Richard Jefferson re-signed with the Spurs, there may have not been more of a head-scratching move in recent seasons considering how poorly he performed in his inaugural season with the team.

Now, the club has to be focused on adding some scoring to complement an aging roster, but it's unlikely that this group will make a sizable splash considering Tim Duncan's deal doesn't come off the books until after the season.

Toronto Raptors

Area of Improvement: Small Forward

Where don't the Raptors need help? One position the team shouldn't worry about is shooting guard, as DeMar DeRozan looks like he's just about the only thing Toronto fans can bank on for production right now.

Linas Kleiza might contribute after he's fully healed from microfracture knee surgery he underwent last season, but the Raptors would be wise to target a real scorer to continue to build and improve for the future.

Utah Jazz

Area of Improvement: Point Guard 

Devin Harris hasn't lived up to the hype he received in Dallas as a young point guard of the future many moons ago, and he hasn't proven to be a durable player during his career, either.

In a truncated season and with less time to recover between troublesome injuries, the Jazz will be in serious trouble if an upgrade at backup point guard isn't pursued.

Washington Wizards

Area of Improvement: Center

JaVale McGee showed some development in his game last season, but the Wizards can't afford to rely on him logging heavy minutes on a nightly basis given his style of play.

The team should look to nab a veteran center from the open market in order to serve as a mentor for McGee down low, but it's to be determined whether or not someone toward the end of his career might be interested in joining a rebuilding bunch.