EARLY OFF-SEASON
9. DALLAS
2015–16 finish: 42-40
Coming: Harrison Barnes, Andrew Bogut, Seth Curry, Quincy Acy, A.J. Hammons (rookie). Going: Chandler Parsons, Zaza Pachulia, Raymond Felton, Charlie Villanueva.
The Mavericks welcome two players (Barnes and Bogut) who started for the Warriors last season. Dirk Nowitzki averaged 18.3 points last year and shows few signs that he’ll slow down in his 19th season. Barnes will be asked to be a dependable scorer for the first time in his career.
10. MINNESOTA
2015–16 finish: 29-53
Coming: Coach Tom Thibodeau, Kris Dunn (rookie), Jordan Hill, Brandon Rush, Cole Aldrich. Going: Kevin Garnett, Tayshaun Prince.
The Timberwolves’ young nucleus added Dunn and he is already considered the best point guard of this rookie class. If Dunn’s development is as speedy as his team hopes, Minnesota should see increased production from former No. 1 picks Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins. The Timberwolves aren’t quite there, but are very close.
11. DENVER
Nate Wolters. Going: D.J. Augustin.
The Nuggets, against modern convention, are planning to play centers Nikola Jokic and Jusuf Nurkic together. This could work because both Jokic and Nurkic can go off the dribble and are reliable rim protectors. A more mature Emmanuel Muddiay at point guard should keep moving the team in a positive direction.
12. NEW ORLEANS
2015–16 finish: 30-52
Coming: Terrence Jones, Lance Stephenson, Buddy Hield (rookie), Solomon Hill, Langston Galloway. Going: Ryan Anderson, Eric Gordon, Toney Douglas, Luke Babbitt, Kendrick Perkins.
Anthony Davis averaged 24.3 points and 10.3 rebounds in 61 games last season, but Alvin Gentry’s offense didn’t turn into a Davis-led juggernaut. The Pelicans were 14th in scoring last season, and off-season additions of Stephenson and Jones don’t form the supporting cast Davis needs.
13. PHOENIX
2015–16 finish: 23-59 Coming: Dragan Bender (rookie), Leandro Barbosa, Jared Dudley, Marquese Chriss (rookie), Tyler Ulis (rookie). Going: Mirza Teletovic, Chase Budinger, Ronnie Price, Jon Leuer. The Suns are full of solid roster pieces that don’t quite fit together, and they added two big men (Bender, Chriss) in the lottery to shore up their frontcourt. There is certainly talent in the backcourt with Devin Booker, Eric
14. LAKERS
2015–16 finish: 17-65
Coming: Coach Luke Walton, Brandon Ingram (rookie), Luol Deng, Timofey Mozgov, Jose Calderon. Going: Kobe Bryant, Brandon Bass, Roy Hibbert, Robert Sacre.
The Lakers won 17 games last season, a franchise-low. It should get better this season, even with Walton ready to accept the drawbacks of a rebuild. The Lakers’ young nucleus of D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle and Ingram offers them the chance to grow together.
15. SACRAMENTO
2015–16 finish: 33-49
Coming: Arron Afflalo, Georgios Papagiannis (rookie), Malachi Richardson (rookie), Skal Labissiere (rookie), Matt Barnes, Jordan Farmar, Anthony Tolliver, Ty Lawson. Going: Rajon Rondo, Marco Belinelli, Seth Curry, Quincy Acy.
Point guard Darren Collison will miss eight games after pleading guilty to domestic battery and Lawson and Farmar will help fill the void. It’s nearly impossible to keep center DeMarcus Cousins happy for a whole season — or a whole game, for that matter — and this roster won’t change that.