EARLY OFFSEASON
9. NEW ORLEANS 2018-19: 33-49 (13th) HELLO: Lonzo Ball (trade), Josh Hart (trade), Brandon Ingram (trade), Zion Williamson (draft), JJ Redick (FA), Derrick Favors (FA). GOODBYE: Anthony Davis (trade), Julius Randle (FA), Elfrid Payton (FA).
■ Freed from Davis’ trade demands, the Pelicans might have one of the best long-term projections. They’re loaded with draft picks, have the bulk of the Lakers’ young core and the most-hyped rookie, Williamson, since Davis. Ball and Jrue Holiday form a top defensive backcourt and the rookie class includes Jaxson Hayes and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Veteran acquisitions like Redick and Favors have New Orleans thinking playoffs now.
10. SACRAMENTO 2018-19: 39-43 (9th) HELLO: Corey Joseph (FA), Trevor Ariza (FA), Dewayne Dedmon (FA). GOODBYE: Willie Cauley-Stein (FA), Alec Burks (FA).
■ This Kings core seems destined for a playoff appearance sooner rather than later, with De’Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Marvin Bagley III all talented and young. Sacramento spent this summer adding veterans around them, keeping Harrison Barnes and adding players like Ariza, who know how to win. But is new coach Luke Walton the right choice to get the Kings into the top eight in the West?
11. OKLAHOMA CITY 2018-19: 49-33 (6th; eliminated 4-1 in 1st round by Portland) HELLO: Chris Paul (trade), Shai GilgeousAlexander (trade), Danilo Gallinari (trade). GOODBYE: Russell Westbrook (trade), Paul George (trade), Jerami Grant (trade).
■ The Thunder were forced to trade two of the best players to wear the uniform in a matter of weeks, but Sam Presti and Co. still have enough talent to compete — if that’s their intention. Paul, Gallinari and Gilgeous-Alexander were all top contributors on playoff teams last year. But some version of bottoming out seems to be in the future, and the Thunder could look to move the rest of their high-priced veteran talent.
12. DALLAS 2018-19: 33-49 (14th) HELLO: Kristaps Porzingis (injured in 2018-19), Delon Wright (trade), Seth Curry (FA). GOODBYE: Dirk Nowitzki (retirement).
■ In the big picture, last season was a success for the Mavericks, with Nowitzki getting the classy sendoff he deserved while the team built for life without him by handing the ball to rookie of the year Luca Doncic and by trading for the dynamic 7-foot-3 Porzingis. That’s the path for this team, though no one can be sure how healthy or productive Porzingis will be after sitting since February 2018. At least the Mavericks know Doncic is a rising star.
13. MINNESOTA 2018-19: 36-46 (11th) HELLO: Jarrett Culver (draft), Noah Vonleh (FA). GOODBYE: Derrick Rose (FA), Tyus Jones (FA).
■ Karl-Anthony Towns is an All-Star and one of the best centers in the NBA, but in this conference, that’s not nearly enough. Minnesota went to work last year trying to bulk up its roster after dealing Jimmy Butler, and this summer the Timberwolves moved up in the draft to take Texas Tech guard Culver. But unless Andrew Wiggins figures out how to be a consistent factor, Minnesota is probably doomed to a finish near the bottom of the Western Conference.
14. PHOENIX 2018-19: 19-63 (15th) HELLO: Dario Saric (trade), Ricky Rubio (FA). GOODBYE: T.J. Warren (trade), Josh Jackson (trade).
■ The good news is the team has a star. Devin Booker is a scoring machine with the tools to be a good defender. But to this point, for all of Booker’s strengths and the drafting of 7-footer Deandre Ayton, none of it has led to winning. Monty Williams was hired as coach and will try to make sense of it all, though the Warren trade had some people puzzled. There’s still a long way to go.
15. MEMPHIS 2018-19: 33-49 (12th) HELLO: Ja Morant (draft), Brandon Clarke (draft), Andre Iguodala (trade). GOODBYE: Mike Conley (trade), Delon Wright (FA).
■ The Grit and Grind era is officially over as the Grizzlies turn the franchise over to rookie point guard Morant. He’ll have young big men like rookie Brandon Clarke and Jaren Jackson Jr., the fourth overall draft pick last year, to grow alongside as the team tries to rebuild. Memphis has a decision to make with Iguodala, whom they acquired from Golden State. They’ll try to trade him, but a buyout seems inevitable.