PLAYOFF-BOUND
1. CLEVELAND
2015–16 finish: 57-25
Coming: Mike Dunleavy, Chris Andersen, Kay Felder (rookie). Going: Matthew Dellavedova, Timofey Mozgov. The path to back-to-back titles will be crowded by a very big gold-and-blue roadblock in Oakland, but that won’t keep LeBron James and Co. from controlling the East. There weren’t any major changes to this roster, especially now that shooting guard J.R. Smith is signed to a four-year contract.
2. BOSTON
2015–16 finish: 48-34
Coming: Al Horford, Jaylen Brown (rookie), Gerald Green. Going: Evan Turner, Jared Sullinger. With the addition of prized free agent Horford, Coach Brad Stevens finally has a talented inside-out center to plug into his offense. The Celtics had the East’s highestscoring offense last season. But Stevens’ squad is probably a scoring wing away from being a truly dangerous title contender.
3. TORONTO
2015–16 finish: 56-26
Coming: Jared Sullinger, Jakob Poeltl (rookie), Pascal Siakam (rookie). Going: Bismack Biyombo, James Johnson, Luis Scola, Anthony Bennett.
The Raptors sought a floor-spacing forward in free agency. That landed them Sullinger, an up-and-down shooter in four seasons with Boston. If he doesn’t work out they can still pair center Jonas Valanciunas with Patrick Patterson or DeMarre Carroll. In the backcourt are AllStars Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan.
4. INDIANA
2015–16 finish: 45-37
Coming: Coach Nate McMillan, Jeff Teague, Al Jefferson, Thaddeus Young, Kevin Seraphin, Aaron Brooks. Going: George Hill, Jordan Hill, Solomon Hill, Ian Mahinmi, Ty Lawson.
The Pacers shook things up in the off-season, but one fact remains true: A Paul George-led team has a lot of potential. The Pacers will probably bring Jefferson, part of the dying breed of low-post scorers, off the bench while the athletic Young is a solid fit next to 20-year-old center Myles Turner.
5. CHICAGO
2015–16 finish: 42-40
Coming: Dwyane Wade, Rajon Rondo, Robin Lopez, Michael Carter-Williams, Denzel Valentine (rookie), Jerian Grant. Going: Derrick Rose, Pau Gasol, Joakim Noah, Mike Dunleavy, Aaron Brooks, Tony Snell.
A potential starting lineup of Rondo, Wade, Jimmy Butler, Taj Gibson and Lopez lacks a decent three-point shooter. Bulls Coach Fred Hoiberg can change that with Nikola Mirotic — who can push himself into the lineup or play “starter minutes” off the bench. The new-look Bulls are relying heavily on veterans (Wade, Rondo, Lopez) with something to prove.
6. ATLANTA
2015–16 finish: 48-34
Coming: Dwight Howard, Taurean Prince (rookie), Jarrett Jack, DeAndre Bembry (rookie). Going: Al Horford, Jeff Teague. Dwight Howard’s homecoming means the Hawks have to drastically alter Coach Mike Budenholzer’s coveted five-out motion offense. Howard, whose skill-set tethers him to the paint, will clog Paul Millsap’s driving lanes and make shooters Kyle Korver and Kent Bazemore even more important. But Howard should be a very good pick-androll partner for point guard Dennis Schroder.
7. DETROIT
2015–16 finish: 44-38
Coming: Henry Ellenson (rookie), Ish Smith, Boban Marjanovic, Michael Gbinije (rookie), Jon Leuer. Going: Joel Anthony, Anthony Tolliver, Spencer Dinwiddie, Steve Blake.
The Pistons are one of those turning-the-corner teams, but will be without starting point guard Reggie Jackson for up to two months (knee tendinitis). Jackson will likely be replaced by Smith. Stan Van Gundy has a lot of young talent, including center Andre Drummond and shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, both 23.
8. NEW YORK
2015–16 finish: 32-50
Coming: Coach Jeff Hornacek, Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, Brandon Jennings, Courtney Lee. Going: Robin Lopez, Arron Afflalo, Jose Calderon, Langston Galloway, Kevin Seraphin, Derrick Williams.
Phil Jackson’s off-season shopping spree is a bet on the benefits of a change of scenery and better health. Rose, Noah and Jennings must lose their “injury-riddled” reputation. It helps that the East is short on actual contenders, so with Carmelo Anthony and the still improving 7-foot-3 Kristaps Porzingis, the Knicks should enjoy a turnaround.