SOUTHWEST DIVISION

HOUSTON

2019- 20: 44- 28 ( 4th) Eliminated in second round by Lakers

Hello: DeMarcus Cousins ( FA), John Wall ( trade), Christian Wood ( trade). Goodbye: Robert Covington ( trade), Jeff Green ( FA), Austin Rivers ( FA), Russell Westbrook ( trade). Outlook: The Rockets seem to have lost more talent than they brought in. Yet Wall, when healthy, has averaged 20 points and more than eight assists per game the last three seasons. Cousins has played well in the preseason too. If nothing else, this club is entertaining one way or another.

DALLAS

2019- 20: 43- 32 ( 7th)

Eliminated in first round by Clippers

Hello: Josh Richardson ( FA), Josh Green ( draft). Goodbye: JJ Barea ( waived), Seth Curry ( FA). Outlook: Health problems could slow the Mavericks to start the season, with Kristaps Porzingis out until the new year as he rehabs from his right knee injury and backup big man Dwight Powell returning from a ruptured Achilles tendon. If Luka Doncic continues to play like an MVP candidate, and Richardson can adequately replace Curry's three- point shooting, Dallas should make it past the first round.

MEMPHIS

2019- 20: 34- 39 ( 9th) Did not qualify

for playoffs Hello: Justise Winslow ( FA), Zhaire Smith ( FA), Desmond Bane ( draft). Goodbye ( for now): Jaren Jackson Jr. ( injury). Outlook: The next step for a young Grizzlies team led by rookie of the year Ja Morant would be to make the playoffs, but with Jackson and Winslow injured to start the season it will be a tough haul in the competitive West. Coach Taylor Jenkins, who got Memphis to the edge of the playoffs last year, will likely feature a starting lineup whose average age, when healthy, is 23.4.

SAN ANTONIO

2019- 20: 32- 39 ( 11th) Did not qualify

for playoffs Hello: Tre Jones ( draft), Devin Vassell ( draft). Goodbye: Marco Belinelli ( FA), Bryn Forbes ( FA). Outlook: The DeMar DeRozan/ LaMarcus Aldridge pairing has a final season together, but even with a mixture of young and veteran talent around them the Spurs will be hard- pressed to make a playoff run. Gregg Popovich was forced by injury to play a guard- heavy lineup in the bubble that featured an uptempo game, but the team has to replace some good perimeter shooters.

NEW ORLEANS

2019- 20: 30- 42 ( 13th) Did not qualify for playoffs Hello: Steven Adams ( trade), Eric Bledsoe ( trade), Kira Lewis Jr. ( draft). Goodbye: Derrick Favors ( FA), Jrue Holiday ( trade). Outlook: Sophomore slump? Unlikely for a healthy, in- shape Zion Williamson. With Holiday gone, the Pelicans don't lose much with Bledsoe alongside point guard Lonzo Ball. There's also plenty of scoring punch with Brandon Ingram and JJ Redick. New coach Stan Van Gundy wants to emphasize defense and Adams, the 7- footer acquired from the Thunder, will give them plenty of that in the middle.