This article looks at the new NBA landscape for the 2013-2014 season for the Western Conference. With the draft and the first wave of free agency in the past, it is time to take a preliminary look at how the rosters are shaking out and whether or not the moves that teams made will have a significant difference in how those teams performed from last season.

Each team will be separated by their nominal starting five (PG = point guard, SG = shooting guard, SF = small forward, PF = power forward, C = center), with most important players followed by the more replaceable parts (i.e, franchise player of the Big 3, followed by the other two starters). Also included are the rotation (6th man through 8th man), followed by the rest of the bench (up to the 13th man). New additions and re-signings are marked by an asterisk*, rookies by a (1). Players who are uncertain to be ready for the season opener are kept out of the starting lineup and rotation and marked with a (+). Because of the heavy coaching and management turnover, those figures are listed as well.

To see my Offseason Preview from before the Draft, open here:

NORTHWEST DIVISION

 

Oklahoma City Thunder (2012-2013: 60-22, 1st in Northwest, 1st in Western, Semifinals Loss to Memphis)

Starters: SF Kevin Durant, PF Serge Ibaka, SG Thabo Sefolosha, C Kendrick Perkins, PG Reggie Jackson

Rotation: SF Jeremy Lamb, PF Nick Collison, SG Derek Fisher*

Bench: PG Russell Westbrook (+), C Steven Adams (1), C Hasheem Thabeet, SF André Roberson (1), PF Perry Jones III

Head Coach: Scott Brooks

General Manager: Sam Presti

You can’t keep getting credit for stockpiling young talent when those players don’t produce, and with the Thunder essentially going from James Harden to Kevin Martin to Jeremy Lamb, it is paramount that all of those young players the Thunder have stocked up show something next season. Lamb and Adams are lottery picks. OKC failed to retain Martin or even sign Dorell Wright or Mike Miller as a replacement. They brought back Derek Fisher and will need Jackson and Lamb to replace Martin’s scoring, but neither is a good shooter or polished playmaker, which will put a dent in the Thunder’s offensive efficiency. Adams was drafted as a response to Perkins’ embarrassing performance this past season which culminated in a disastrous postseason. But Adams is about as raw as Thabeet, and can’t be counted on to make a significant impact early. Roberson is a SF who plays like a PF, and Jones is a PF who plays like a SF.  The Thunder are still a great team due to the presence of Durant, Westbrook, and Ibaka, and they won’t be seriously challenged in the division. But improvement will have to come from the five first round picks acquired over the last three drafts.

 

Denver Nuggets (2012-2013: 57-25, 2nd in Northwest, 3rd in Western, First Round Loss to Golden State)

Starters: PG Ty Lawson, C JaVale McGee, PF J.J. Hickson*, SG Randy Foye*, SF Wilson Chandler

Rotation: PG Andre Miller, PF Kenneth Faried, SG Evan Fournier

Bench: SF Danilo Gallinari (+), C Timofey Mozgov, PF Anthony Randolph, PG Nate Robinson*, PF Darrell Arthur*

Head Coach: Brian Shaw*

General Manager: Tim Connelly*

The Nuggets followed up their first round exit (their ninth in ten years) by losing Executive of the Year Masai Ujiri to Toronto, firing Coach of the Year George Karl, and losing SG Andre Iguodala to Golden State. The Nuggets also lost Corey Brewer to Minnesota, and Gallinari is recovering from ACL surgery. Shaw comes via Indiana and has been considered a future head coach candidate since his days with the Lakers; Denver hopes that he fares much better than fellow Phil Jackson disciples Jim Cleamons and Kurt Rambis. Connelly comes from New Orleans’ front office. The Nuggets acquired Foye from Utah as part of Iguodala’s sign-and-trade. Foye gives the Nuggets a shooter, but he’s a liability everywhere else (sub 40% shooter from the field, rarely rebounds, not a strong defender, assists have dropped five years straight). The Nuggets traded starting C Kosta Koufos for Arthur, elevating McGee to starting status. McGee’s minutes (or lack thereof) after signing a big contract in 2012 was a factor in Karl losing his job. The Nuggets then went out and spent on Hickson and Mozgov. Hickson is expected to challenge Faried for the starting PF spot, but he should settle in as the first big man off the bench. Robinson’s signing theoretically puts Miller on the trade block, but Miller and Lawson can play in the backcourt at the same time; Robinson and Lawson can’t do that. Fournier will have opportunities for playing time with Iguodala and Brewer moving on and Gallinari injured, but it will be a challenge for Shaw to get this team to defend competently or score effectively. The Nuggets generated a lot of acclaim for doing so well without an All-Star last season, but they are a prime candidate to slip out of the playoffs.

 

Utah Jazz (2012-2013: 43-39, 3rd in Northwest, 9th in Western)

Starters: PF Derrick Favors, C Enes Kanter, SG Gordon Hayward, SF Richard Jefferson*, PG John Lucas III*

Rotation: SG Alec Burks, C Rudy Gobert (1), PG Jamaal Tinsley*

Bench: PG Trey Burke (1) (+), SF Marvin Williams (+), SF Brandon Rush* (+), PF Mike Harris*, C Andris Biedrins*

Head Coach: Tyrone Corbin

General Manager: Dennis Lindsey

The Jazz were the last team out of the playoff picture in the spring, but they likely won’t challenge for a spot this season unless multiple members of their lottery starting five break through. The Jazz let starting big men Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap walk, PG Mo Williams also left as a free agent, SF Marvin Williams is recovering from Achilles surgery, and SG Randy Foye was traded to Denver as part of the Iguodala-to-Golden State deal.  Rush, Biedrins, and Jefferson landed in Utah from Golden State. All three players will be free agents in 2014. Favors is a defensive upgrade over Millsap, and Kanter flashed production when he got minutes, but with upside comes inconsistency. Gobert has a JaVale McGee-like wingspan, and Biedrins is experienced. Of course, none of those players will be anywhere close to reliable next season, especially Biedrins (24% FT shooter over the last four years). Rush is coming off a torn ACL, but he is the best bet to replace Foye’s production as a one-dimensional shooter.  Richard Jefferson replaces DeMarre Carroll; Jefferson’s game has not aged well. Burke is coming off a rough summer league. Burke should still start, while Lucas replaces Earl Watson.

 

Portland Trail Blazers (2012-2013: 33-49, 4th in Northwest, 11th in Western)

Starters: PF LaMarcus Aldridge, PG Damian Lillard, SF Nicolas Batum, C Robin Lopez*, SG Wesley Matthews

Rotation: PG Mo Williams*, PF Thomas Robinson*, SF Dorell Wright*

Bench: C Joel Freeland, SG C.J. McCollum (1) (+), C Meyers Leonard, SG Will Barton, PG Earl Watson*

Head Coach: Terry Stotts

General Manager: Neil Olshey

The Trail Blazers had the worst bench in the league last season, started J.J. Hickson out of position at C, and were not good defensively. The additions of Lopez, Williams, McCollum, and Wright address those issues directly. Lopez gives the Trail Blazers a 7’0″ shot blocker and competent scorer, though he doesn’t rebound as well as Hickson. McCollum is a top-ten pick who can force turnovers better than Eric Maynor, and he has the skill set to play alongside Matthews or Lillard (like Jarrett Jack in Golden State). McCollum is making a big jump from Lehigh, and Williams, a former All-Star, can be a reliable 6th man much like he was for the Clippers in 2011-2012. He’s more like Jack at this stage of his career than McCollum, from the shooting (good) to the defense (bad). Wright doesn’t do much outside of shoot threes well, but he’s a clear talent upgrade on Sasha Pavlovic. Robinson was drafted one spot above Lillard, but he is already on his third NBA team. He is a poor shooter and ball-handler, but if he can cut down on his mistakes then he can help the Blazers on the boards. Robinson essentially replaces Luke Babbitt. Watson is little more than a veteran presence at this point in his career, which is more than what Nolan Smith offered last year. The Trail Blazers have the NBA’s longest streak of seasons without a postseason series win, going 0-6 in the playoffs since 2000. They need to show improvement, or the Aldridge trade rumors will cloud this team.

 

Minnesota Timberwolves (2012-2013: 31-51, 5th in Northwest, 12th in Western)

Starters: PF Kevin Love, PG Ricky Rubio, SG Kevin Martin*, C Nikola Pekovic*, SF Corey Brewer*

Rotation: PG Jose Barea, PF Dante Cunningham, SG Alexey Shved

Bench: SF Chase Budinger* (+), C Ronny Turiaf*, PF Derrick Williams, SF Shabazz Muhammad (1), C Gorgui Dieng (1)

Head Coach: Rick Adelman

General Manager: Milt Newton*

The Timberwolves re-signed C Nikola Pekovic, who was a restricted free agent. Pekovic is one of the best scoring Cs in the league, and he rebounds well. He has elite size, but he’s not a shotblocker. Turiaf replaces Greg Stiemsma as a blocks specialist, while Dieng gives the Timberwolves further insurance in the middle. Martin is a major addition, as his knees are much healthier than Brandon Roy’s. The Timberwolves were the worst three-point shooting team in the league last season with Luke Ridnour starting at SG, and Martin made 158 3s at 43% last season. Brewer, the Timberwolves’ 2007 lottery pick, returned to Minnesota from Denver and will compete with the re-signed Budinger for the starting SF job. Brewer is the better bet to replace Andrei Kirilenko’s defense, while Budinger is an athletic shooter coming off an injury-marred season.  Muhammad and Shved will battle for minutes on the wing as well, but both have major holes in their games. Muhammad lacks versatility and athleticism, while Shved is a good passer who struggled mightily with his shot last season. Like the Trail Blazers, the Timberwolves are riding a bad streak, having missed the playoffs an NBA-high nine seasons in a row. Flip Saunders was the head coach when the Timberwolves lost in the 2004 Western Conference Finals; he now replaces the embattled David Khan as the main decision maker. Also like the Blazers, Minnesota needs to show significant signs of progress with a talented young PG (Rubio), or their talented PF (Love) will be the focus of trade rumors.

 

PACIFIC DIVISION

 

Los Angeles Clippers (2012-2013: 56-26, 1st in Pacific, 4th in Western, First Round Loss to Memphis)

Starters: PG Chris Paul*, PF Blake Griffin, C DeAndre Jordan, SF Jared Dudley*, SG J.J. Redick*

Rotation: SG Jamal Crawford, C Ryan Hollins*, SF Matt Barnes*

Bench: PF Antawn Jamison*, PG Darren Collison*, C Byron Mullens*, SG Willie Green, SF Reggie Bullock (1)

Head Coach: Doc Rivers*

General Manager: Gary Sacks

The Clippers replaced head coach Vinny Del Negro with Rivers, one of only four active coaches who have won an NBA title. The addition of Rivers made it easy for Paul to re-sign with the Clippers, and Barnes followed suit. The Clippers added Dudley and Redick, giving up SF Caron Butler and PG Eric Bledsoe. SG Chauncey Billups returned to Detroit, and the Clippers signed Collison, a UCLA alum who backed up Paul in New Orleans. Dudley can replace Butler’s only useful skill of 3-point shooting, and he is five years younger. Likewise, Redick is a 3-point shooter and a decent passer with much less wear on his legs than his replacement (Billups). Neither Redick or Dudley are plus defenders, but neither were Butler or Billups.  Collison isn’t the athlete or plus defender that Bledsoe is, but he is a solid player. The Bobcats let Mullens go, which speaks volumes about the lack of quality in his game. He is a 40% career shooter from the field, takes way too many threes for a 30% shooter from there, and averaged only 6.4 rebounds and 0.6 blocks per game at 7’0″/275 despite starting at PF in Charlotte. Antawn Jamison replaces Lamar Odom, who shot 40% from the field, 20% from downtown, and 48% from the free throw line while averaging 4.0 points per game in 20 minutes a game. Mullens effectively replaces Ronny Turiaf. Bullock replaces SF Grant Hill, who retired. The Clippers are only significantly better at head coach, but they are significantly younger and more stable after utilizing several contract-year players over the last two seasons.

 

Golden State Warriors (2012-2013: 47-35, 2nd in Pacific, 6th in Western, Semifinals Loss to San Antonio)

Starters: PG Stephen Curry, PF David Lee, SF Andre Iguodala*, SG Klay Thompson, C Andrew Bogut

Rotation: SF Harrison Barnes, PF Marreese Speights*, PG Toney Douglas*

Bench: C Festus Ezeli (+), SG Kent Bazemore, C Jermaine O’Neal*, SF Draymond Green, PG Nemanja Nedovic (1)

Head Coach: Mark Jackson

General Manager: Bob Myers

The Warriors haven’t made the playoffs in consecutive seasons since 1992, and haven’t won a division title since 1976. Both are in reach following the addition of Iguodala. Iguodala more than softens the blow of losing PG Jarrett Jack; he gives the Warriors an impact wing defender with the versatility to make plays offensively. Iguodala’s poor shooting is a concern, especially from the free throw line (57% last season). Barnes will most likely head to the bench (the Warriors traded Monta Ellis to clear a starting role for Thompson in 2012), but Curry, Thompson, Iguodala, and Barnes will play major minutes next season. Speights is a downgrade from PF Carl Landry. Ezeli started most of last season while Bogut recovered from injury, but now Ezeli will miss the start of next season due to injury. O’Neal is a good backup until he gets hurt; he’s going into his 18th season. Douglas will battle Bazemore (coming off a strong summer league) and first-round pick Nedovic for a rotation spot. SF Richard Jefferson, C Andris Biedrins, and SG Brandon Rush were all traded to make room for Iguodala; neither will be missed. The Warriors have a troublesome lack of depth considering the injury concerns of all three Cs, and they have some accommodating to do on the wing, but they should win 50+ games next season.

 

Los Angeles Lakers (2012-2013: 45-37, 3rd in Pacific, 7th in Western, First Round Loss to San Antonio)

Starters: PG Steve Nash, PF Pau Gasol, SF Nick Young*, PF Shawne Williams*, SG Steve Blake

Rotation: SG Jodie Meeks, C Chris Kaman, SF Xavier Henry

Bench: SG Kobe Bryant (+), PF Jordan Hill, C Robert Sacre, PG Jordan Farmar*, SF Wesley Johnson*

Head Coach: Mike D’Antoni

General Manager: Mitch Kupchak

The Lakers lost out on Dwight Howard after shipping out Andrew Bynum’s damaged goods. While the team is planning for the draft/free agent class of 2014, Mike D’Antoni knows from the summer of 2010 in New York that there is no guarantee that they will get a long-term difference maker. Bryant is recovering from Achilles surgery and may not be ready to start the season on time. Even if he does make it back, he will be 35 years old and going into his 18th season (the last of his contract) with a serious injury. For every reason that Bryant has to make it back early, he has another to wait. Kaman replaces Dwight Howard at C, though Kaman is probably going to come off the bench behind Gasol. D’Antoni will probably take the opportunity to utilize Nash and Gasol like Nash and Stoudemire from their time in Phoenix with Howard gone and Bryant sidelined. That opens up a starting spot for Williams, who was with D’Antoni in New York in 2010-2011, starting 11 out of 64 games. Hill never started a game while he and D’Antoni were in New York. Hill was the 8th pick of the 2009 draft, but he was traded to Houston during his rookie year. Kaman has missed significant time due to injury five of the last six years, with his All-Star season of 2010 being the exception. He is a skilled offensive player, but he was a defensive liability in Dallas last season. Metta World Peace was released via the amnesty tag and Devin Ebanks was a complete nonfactor last season, opening up a spot for Johnson, Henry, and Young. All are undersized for the SF position, especially Young. Johnson is on his third team after being selected fourth overall in the 2010 draft, while Henry is on his third team after being selected 12th overall in the 2010 draft. Young is on his fourth team in three years. Young is a better shooter, but he doesn’t pass, rebound, defend, or take good shots. Whoever starts here will be one of the worst rebounding SFs in the history of the NBA. Farmar was out of the league last season, but he replaces Chris Duhon. Earl Clark left for Cleveland, and Antawn Jamison is a Clipper now. The Lakers might set a record for fewest forced turnovers in a season, and the Lakers seem likely to slip out of the playoff picture for the first time since 2004, though their lottery odds wouldn’t be great unless Bryant, Nash, and Gasol miss significant chunks of the season.

 

Sacramento Kings (2012-2013: 28-54, 4th in Pacific, 13th in Western)

Starters: C DeMarcus Cousins, SG Marcus Thornton, PG Greivis Vasquez*, SF John Salmons, PF Patrick Patterson

Rotation: PG Isaiah Thomas, C Jason Thompson, SG Ben McLemore (1)

Bench: PF Carl Landry (+), SF Travis Outlaw, PF Chuck Hayes, SG Jimmer Fredette, SF Luc Richard Mbah a Moute*

Head Coach: Mike Malone*

General Manager: Pete D’Alessandro*

The Kings are under new ownership, management (D’Alessandro from Denver), and coaching (Malone from Golden State) this season, and each is an upgrade by default. SG Tyreke Evans, the 2009-2010 Rookie of the Year, is now in New Orleans, though the return was Vasquez. The Kings also drafted McLemore, who has the opportunity/pressure to make people forget about Evans. McLemore may already be a better shooter than Evans, and though he’s not as versatile, he is a plus athlete. Vasquez essentially replaces Toney Douglas on the roster, and though he’s not a strong defender or a great athlete, he is a tall player (6’6″) who averaged 13.9 points and 9.0 assists per game. The Kings haven’t had a player average at least nine assists a game since Reggie Theus averaged 9.6 in 1985-1986. Vasquez is an upgrade over Thomas, even though everyone should be better with Malone replacing Keith Smart as head coach. Malone brought Landry with him from Golden State, and he replaces Cole Aldrich (considering that Patterson, Thompson, and Hayes are still on the roster). Mbah a Moute is no lock to start at SF over Salmons and Outlaw, but Mbah a Moute replaces James Johnson on the roster. The Kings aren’t necessarily better – they’re still littered with poor defenders and rebounders at every position, there isn’t a shot blocker in sight, and they continue their perennial weakness at SF. But they may resemble a stable basketball team next season on their way to the lottery.

 

Phoenix Suns (2012-2013: 25-57, 5th in Pacific, 15th in Western)

Starters: SG Goran Dragic, PG Eric Bledsoe*, PF Markieff Morris, SF P.J. Tucker, C Miles Plumlee*

Rotation: SG Gerald Green*, PF Channing Frye, SF Marcus Morris

Bench: C Alex Len (1), PG Archie Goodwin (1), C Emeka Okafor (+), PG Ish Smith*, C Vyacheslav Krovtsov*

Head Coach: Jeff Hornacek*

General Manager: Ryan McDonough*

The Suns were a mess last season, and they’re rebuilding properly now. McDonough comes from Boston to replace Lance Blanks. Hornacek, a former Suns guard and Jazz assistant coach, replaces Alvin Gentry and Lindsey Hunter. He plans to run next season, and the plan is for Dragic and Bledsoe to play at the same time. Bledsoe replaces Jared Dudley, and he gets an opportunity to realize his upside. Bledsoe is exceptionally athletic at 6’1″/190, a strong defender, and he improved his shooting to the point where he could play off the ball. But with upside comes inconsistency, and the Suns are getting a contract year out of Bledsoe to determine his true value. Tucker looks to be the starter at SF after Phoenix dumped Caron Butler (acquired in the Bledsoe-Dudley deal) and Michael Beasley (easily the worst contract of 2012). The Suns drafted Len fifth overall, but he is coming off ankle surgeries. He replaces Jermaine O’Neal as the latest injury-prone C to arrive in Phoenix. Of course, the Suns also traded C Marcin Gortat for injured C Emeka Okafor. The Suns traded starting PF Luis Scola to Indiana for Green and Plumlee, which clears a logjam of PFs in Phoenix. Scola wasn’t going to fit a running offense, while the Morris twins and the Plumlee twin can fill the vacancy up front. Goodwin has a better chance to play than since-traded Kendall Marshall, a good passer who can’t shoot or defend. The Suns also acquired Smith and Kravtsov from the Bucks and Gerald Green (a free agent bust last season) from Indiana. Phoenix will give up a lot of points next season.

 

SOUTHWEST DIVISION

 

San Antonio Spurs (2012-2013: 58-24, 1st in Southwest, 2nd in Western, NBA Finals Loss to Miami)

Starters: PF Tim Duncan, PG Tony Parker, SF Kawhi Leonard, SG Danny Green, C Tiago Splitter*

Rotation: SF Manu Ginobili*, PF Boris Diaw, SG Marco Belinelli*

Bench: C Matt Bonner, PG Patty Mills, PF Jeff Ayres*, PG Cory Joseph, C Aron Baynes

Head Coach: Gregg Popovich

General Manager: R.C. Buford

The Spurs didn’t change much after losing Games 6 and 7 in Miami. Splitter returns after barely testing restricted free agency. Ginobili signed what very well could be his last contract. Belinelli replaces Gary Neal as a 3-point shooter off the bench. Ayres replaces PF DeJuan Blair. The Spurs will remain contenders as long as Duncan and Parker are supported appropriately.

 

Memphis Grizzlies (2012-2013: 56-26, 2nd in Southwest, 5th in Western, Conference Finals Loss to San Antonio)

Starters: PF Zach Randolph, C Marc Gasol, PG Mike Conley, SG Tony Allen*, SF Tayshaun Prince

Rotation: SG Quincy Pondexter, PF Ed Davis, PG Jerryd Bayless

Bench: C Kosta Koufos*, SF Mike Miller*, PF Jon Leuer, SF Nick Calathes (1), SG Jamaal Franklin (1)

Head Coach: Dave Joerger*

General Manager: Chris Wallace

The Grizzlies made a change at head coach, replacing Lionel Hollins with Joerger in a move that was clearly motivated by the new Grizzlies ownership. PF Darrell Arthur was traded to Denver for Koufos, allowing Davis to be the backup PF. Miller returns to Memphis to give the Grizzlies much needed shooting; the Grizzlies ranked last in 3-pointers made and attempted. Allen’s return ensures that the Grizzlies will retain elite personnel defensively.

 

Houston Rockets (2012-2013: 45-37, 3rd in Southwest, 8th in Western, First Round Loss to Oklahoma City)

Starters: PF Dwight Howard*, SG James Harden, SF Chandler Parsons, C Omer Asik, PG Patrick Beverley

Rotation: PG Jeremy Lin, PF Omri Casspi*, SG Francisco Garcia*

Bench: C Greg Smith, SF Ronnie Brewer*, PF Terrence Jones, PG Aaron Brooks*, C Donatas Motiejunas

Head Coach: Kevin McHale

General Manager: Daryl Morey

The Rockets signed Howard in free agency, and all they had to do was release SF Carlos Delfino and trade PF Thomas Robinson to do it. Howard joins Harden as the NBA’s top big man-guard tandem, and Howard should be healthier and happier than he was in Orlando or Los Angeles the last two seasons. For all the talk about the Lakers’ legacy of great centers (Mikan, Chamberlain, Abdul-Jabbar, O’Neal, Gasol), the Rockets are one of the few teams who can match it (Hayes, Malone, Sampson, Olajuwon, Yao), and now we’ll find out if McHale can coach as well as he used to post up in Boston. Howard gives the Rockets a dynamic post presence (albeit, a poor free-throw shooter with a terrible assist-turnover ratio) and an impact defender (albeit, one who fouls a lot). Harden is still expected to lead this team on the floor, and like Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O’Neal in Miami, the opportunity is there for Harden and Howard to become contenders right away. Of course, the Rockets are in the toughest division in the league, so they still may not even get home court advantage in the first round. The Rockets didn’t add much besides re-signing Garcia and adding retreads such as Casspi and Brewer. Casspi might start as a stretch four, and Brewer is an injury away from major minutes. Garcia turns 32 in December and hasn’t played over 2,000 minutes in a season since 2007-2008. The Rockets still have Lin and Asik, and both players will be made available all season. Houston still needs to find a PF, unless Casspi, Jones, or Motiejunas improve significantly. The Rockets have made the biggest offseason acquisitions the past two seasons, but Morey needs to keep working, because the Rockets have very little quality to their bench outside of disgruntled Asik.

 

Dallas Mavericks (2012-2013: 41-41, 4th in Southwest, 10th in Western)

Starters: PF Dirk Nowitzki, SG Monta Ellis*, SF Shawn Marion, PG José Calderon*, C Samuel Dalembert*

Rotation: SG Vince Carter, PF DeJuan Blair*, SF Jae Crowder

Bench: C Brandan Wright (+), PG Devin Harris* (+), C Bernard James, PG Shane Larkin (1) (+), SG Wayne Ellington*

Head Coach: Rick Carlisle

General Manager: Donnie Nelson

If you can’t beat them, get them to join you – and then cut ties with them. Gersson Rosas joined the Mavericks from division rival Houston, but left before the season opener. While the Rockets acquired Harden in 2012 and Howard in 2013, the Mavericks have spent the last three offseasons breaking apart and failing to rebuild a championship team. This year, the Mavericks will have three new starters (again) and several new faces on the bench (again). Ellis and O.J. Mayo were basically a free agent trade between Dallas and Milwaukee. Ellis is an inch shorter than Mayo, but much lighter and dynamic. Ellis is an upgrade as a scorer and playmaker, but he is a downgrade as a shooter and has character flags. It will be interesting to see how his attitude adjusts to playing for Carlisle and with Nowitzki, but he is a much more productive player than Mayo, whose inconsistency wasn’t a good match in Dallas by the end of the season. Calderon is known for his exceptional assist-turnover ratio (7.2 assists and 1.7 turnovers per game over eight seasons) and outstanding shooting (a member of the 50-40-90 club). He can’t drive or keep players in front of him, but he’s closer to Jason Kidd than the player he replaces, Darren Collison. Dalembert is another player who comes with inconsistencies, but he is a better fit as a somewhat mobile defender than the player he replaces, Chris Kaman. Dalembert is on his fifth team in five seasons and his minutes have declined each year, but he would have to really upset Carlisle to keep that streak going. He’s not going to score much, but he’s a better fit next to Nowitzki. Without Elton Brand around, Wright should actually get 20+ minutes per game for the first time since being a top-ten pick in the 2007 draft. Unfortunately, Wright is injured (again) to start the season. Blair replaces Brand’s spot on the roster. The Mavericks loaded up on guards. Harris returns to Dallas and will provide an upgrade over Mike James once he returns from injury. Larkin (who is recovering from a broken ankle) replaces Roddy Beaubois on the roster at PG. Ellington is a decent shooter, but it’s hard to see how he gets off the bench with Carter and Ellis in front of him; he replaces Anthony Morrow. Dallas looks like it has a competitive team, but none of the guards are strong defensively, and they’re in trouble if and when Nowitzki loses another step. He’s still the only big man on the team capable of scoring in double figures.

 

New Orleans Pelicans (2012-2013: 27-55, 5th in Southwest, 14th in Western)

Starters: PG Jrue Holiday*, PF Anthony Davis, SG Eric Gordon, SF Al-Farouq Aminu*, C Jason Smith

Rotation: SF Tyreke Evans*, PF Ryan Anderson, SG Anthony Morrow*

Bench: C Greg Stiemsma, PG Brian Roberts, C Jeff Withey (1), PG Austin Rivers, SF Lance Thomas*

Head Coach: Monty Williams

General Manager: Dell Demps

After using the Hornets moniker for 25 years in three different cities, New Orleans will play as the Pelicans, and they added an All-Star (Holiday) and a former Rookie of the Year (Evans) to mark the occasion. New Orleans traded the draft rights to Nerlens Noel and a protected first-round pick in 2014 for Holiday. That allowed the Pelicans to trade starting PG Greivis Vasquez and starting C Robin Lopez for Evans and the draft rights to second-round pick Jeff Withey. Holiday is a talent upgrade on Vasquez, but not overwhelmingly so. Holiday is a much better defender and athlete than Vasquez, and he averaged 17.7 points per game last season. Both players shot 43% from the field and averaged around four rebounds a game. Vasquez had a better assist-turnover ratio (9.0 assists, 3.2 turnovers per game) than Holiday (8.0 assists, 3.7 turnovers per game). Holiday should be a better ballhandler in New Orleans, but his shots should go down while playing with Gordon, Evans, Davis, and Anderson, and he will have to be a more efficient scorer (i.e., more free throws, better FG%) or his points will drop as well. The Pelicans re-signed Aminu, and he could continue to start, allowing Evans to dominate minutes off the bench. Aminu is a below average scorer, shooter, and passer, but he is a good defender and averaged 7.7 rebounds per game last season, which was more than Lopez and Anderson. Evans never improved on his rookie season in Sacramento, struggling with injuries, inconsistency, and intangibles. He never settled into a position, bouncing between PG, SG, and SF. At least coming off the bench, that versatility can be put to productivity, as Evans remains a good scorer and playmaker with a usable jump shot. The fact that he replaces Roger Mason in the Pelicans’ rotation speaks volumes. Morrow completely fell off last season, but he remains a good shooter. He replaces Xavier Henry on the roster, and Morrow could replace Rivers in the rotation. Rivers, the 10th pick in the 2012 draft, had the worst rookie season of any player with at least 1,000 minutes since Nikoloz Tskitishvili in 2002-2003 (37% from the field, 55% from the FT line, only 6.0 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game in 23.8 minutes, only 26 steals all season in 61 games). He was outplayed by Roberts and injured at the end of the year; he needs to show major improvement. The Pelicans need Gordon to stay healthy and productive; he shot poorly last season and has only played 51 games for New Orleans over the last two seasons. Davis had rookie year numbers similar to Kevin Garnett; he needs to stay healthy as well. The Pelicans’ upgrades left them without a starting C, even though Davis and Anderson will play together a lot. Smith is an injury-prone career backup and Stiemsma can only block shots (he is a poor rebounder and fouls too much to play for long stretches). Withey has an opportunity to play, but there is a reason why the Pelicans were courting 2007 first overall pick Greg Oden. Of all the teams that need a center, the Pelicans are at the top of the list, and they were 28th in the league defensively.

NBA 2013 Summer Moves: Eastern Conference

 

-1SKILLZ