NBA Draft Kit: 2012 Western Conference Offseason Moves

Northwest Division

Denver Nuggets

Who's Coming:Andre Iguodala (Trade), Anthony Randolph (FA), Evan Fournier (20th overall), Quincy Miller (38th overall, from GS), Izzet Turkyilmaz (50th overall)

Who's Going: Aaron Afflalo (Trade), Al Harrington (Trade), Chris Anderson (Amnesty), Rudy Fernandez (FA)

The Nuggets' biggest offseason move was part of the biggest transaction in the NBA this summer. Denver helped facilitate Dwight Howard's relocation to Los Angeles. For their role in the deal, the Nuggets received All-Star and Olympian Andre Iguodala from Philadelphia and upgraded themselves at shooting guard. Aaron Afflalo has improved his game over the years, but he's not on par with Iguodala, who becomes the unquestioned leader in Denver. The one gamble to acquiring Iguodala is his contract situation. He has two years remaining, but can opt out after the coming season. The Nuggets made a quick rebuild after trading Carmelo Anthony, and this move improves the team further.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Who's Coming:Brandon Roy (FA), Andrei Kirilenko (FA), Dante Cunningham (Trade), Alexsey Shved (FA), Chase Budinger (Trade), Greg Stiemsma (FA), Robbie Hummel (58th overall, from OKC), Jerome Dyson (Trade)

Who's Going:Darko Milicic (Amnesty), Martell Webster (FA), Brad Miller (Trade), Wayne Ellington (Trade) Wesley Johnson (Trade), Anthony Tolliver (FA), Michael Beasley (FA), Anthony Randolph (FA)

The Timberwolves reshaped their roster in the offseason, adding several pieces while jettisoning players not considered core to the rebuilding program. Their nine-win improvement last season was fueled by the continued development of Kevin Love, the addition of Ricky Rubio and the emergence of center Nikola Pekovic.

From Russia to play with Love comes 10-year NBA veteran Andrei Kirilenko, who will help replace Michael Beasley's production. Kirilenko is not as offensively explosive as Beasley, but he gives the Wolves a better wing defender and can certainly do more things with the ball. He'll step right into the starting small forward job and allows coach Rick Adelman some versatility in using a smaller or bigger lineup. Brandon Roy is another veteran who will give Adelman options. There isn't a pre-conceived notion about Roy's role; that will determined by how healthy his knees are and how he fits with his teammates during training camp. He has experience as a late-game closer from his days in Portland, and that will be important for the young T-Wolves.

Greg Stiemsma and Chase Budinger are role players who should fill in areas of need in the rotation. The Timberwolves were bottom-tier in protecting the rim and three-point shooting. Stiemsma's biggest asset is as a shot-blocker (1.5 blocks in 14 minutes per game), and Budinger is one of the game's more accurate three-point shooters.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Who's Coming:Hasheem Thabeet (FA), Perry Jones (28th overall), Hollis Thompson (FA), Daniel Orton (FA)

Who's Going:Nazr Mohammed (FA), Derek Fisher (FA), Royal Ivey (FA)

What do NBA finalists do in the offseason? Apparently, not much. The Thunder, who lost to the Heat in the NBA finals, feel the roster is in good shape, requiring only changes at the fringe. Oklahoma City is counting on continued in-house development, so the additions of Hasheem Thabeet, Perry Jones and Hollis Thompson are not going to make a big impact.

Of the three players lost, Derek Fisher saw the most playing time at 20 minutes per game. Nazr Mohammed played 11 minutes per game and Royal Ivey 10.4. The competition for Fisher's minutes will come down to Eric Maynor and Reggie Jackson. Jackson was the best thing on the floor during OKC's Summer League season, making good decisions in the pick-and-roll and showing an improved jumper. For salary reasons and roster flexibility, look for the Thunder to develop Jackson this coming season. Cole Aldrich is slated to fill the backup center role, though he didn't have a promising Summer League. Some of that can be attributed to the unstructured nature of summer hoops, but there are concerns. Aldrich had trouble doing the things he is expected to supply, like corralling rebounds and passes, turnovers, setting screens and establishing position defensively.

There will be little surprise when you review the OKC roster. All the players of value in 2011-12 will be the same valuable players in 2012-13.

Portland Trail Blazers

Who's Coming:Victor Claver (22nd overall, 2009 draft), Joel Freeland (30th overall, 2006 draft), Kostas Papanikolaou (Trade), Dan Gadzuric (Trade), Jared Jeffries (Trade), Ronnie Price (FA), Sasha Pavlovic (FA), Giorgos Printezis (Trade), Damon Lillard (6th overall), Meyers Leonard (11th overall), Will Barton (40th overall)

Who's Going:Hasheem Thabeet (FA), Craig Smith (FA), Joel Przybilla (FA), Raymond Felton (FA), Kurt Thomas (Trade), Jonny Flynn (FA), Jamal Crawford (FA), Shawne Williams (FA), Jon Diebler (Trade)

Recent offseasons in Portland have featured lots of player movement, and 2012 was no different. Following a mid-season swoon that cost Nate McMillan his job, the ownership directive was to blow up the team and overhaul the roster. This churn creates an opportunity for several players to grab a relevant role in Portland. The main players are returnees LaMarcus Aldridge, Nicolas Batum and Wesley Johnson. Beyond that, we'll have to see how the new teammates mix.

On top of all the new bodies in Portland, the biggest change comes on the sidelines, where Terry Stotts was named the franchise's 14th head coach. Stotts is considered one of the better offensive minds in the NBA and was credited by Dallas coach Rick Carlisle for his role in the Mavericks' championship. At his introduction as the Blazers head coach, Stotts told the assembled media that his team will favor the three-point shot and play at a fast pace.

He'll have a young crew in Portland, which will feature eight new players and perhaps a couple of rookie starters. Damon Lillard, who had a sensational Summer League in Las Vegas, is being considered as the starting point guard in his rookie season. And Myers Leonard will compete for minutes at center with J.J. Hickson and Joel Freeland. Leonard's probably a few years away from lining up next to LaMarcus Aldridge. With adjustments for everyone involved at the Rose Garden, success won't be measured in wins and losses, but rather by learning and improvement.

Utah Jazz

Who's Coming:Marvin Williams (Trade), Randy Foye (FA), Mo Williams (Trade), Furkan Aldemir (Trade), Shan Foster (Trade), Kevin Murphy (47th overall)

Who's Going:Josh Howard (FA), C.J. Miles (FA), Devin Harris (Trade), Tadija Dragicevic (Trade)

The major changes in Utah won't come until the 2013 offseason when the Jazz shed a ton of payroll and when Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson become unrestricted free agents. That, too, might also be the final season under coach Tyrone Corbin, who isn't signed beyond the upcoming season -- the club holds a team option for 2013-14.

The Jazz will start giving more playing time to Derek Favors, who is viewed as the power forward of the future. It will be tricky for Corbin, who has to juggle minutes for both Favors and Millsap. The coach toyed with a three-big lineup of Jefferson, Favors and Millsap last season, but that may not be the best match-up every night.

Entering the 2012-13 season, the backcourt will see the most change. Trading Devin Harris creates an opening at point guard. Both Jamaal Tinsley and Earl Watson return, but they'll back up Mo Williams, who was acquired via trade. None of the three are locked up beyond this season. The addition of Randy Foye crowds the field at shooting guard, though the veteran has grown accustomed to a role off the bench. He'll back up either Alec Burks or Gordon Hayward at the two. Hayward's coming off a breakout season, so we'll get a full season of him as a starter, whether it comes at the two or the three. And Burks lit up the Orlando Summer League. Marvin Williams is expected to compete for the starting small forward spot. Much depends on where Corbin feels Hayward can be best be deployed.

Pacific Division

Golden State Warriors

Who's Coming:Jarrett Jack (Trade), Carl Landry (FA), Kent Bazemore (FA), Harrison Barnes (7th overall), Festus Ezeli (30th overall), Draymond Green (35th overall), Ognjnen Kuzmic (52nd overall)

Who's Going:Dorell Wright (Trade), Nate Robinson (FA), Dominic McGuire (FA), Mikki Moore (FA), Chris Wright (FA), Mickell Gladness (FA), Edin Bavcic (Trade)

The new ownership group in Golden State got a bit ahead of themselves, anticipating a spot in the postseason and generally setting expectations ahead of the natural growth cycle of a young team with a new coach. Last year's 23-win team with all of its glaring holes has slapped them back to reality, but the Warriors are making positive steps.

The need for a center was addressed last February when Golden State traded Monta Ellis to Milwaukee for a then-injured Andrew Bogut. Bogut will start at center and remain there if healthy, playing alongside David Lee. Having the luxury of not being the only competent big on the roster, Lee may be able to survive the season without too many injuries. Adding Carl Landry means Golden State can further reduce Lee's burden, while hopefully keeping him fresher for the long haul. Festus Ezeli, Jeremy Tyler and Andris Biedrins will compete to be part of the big-man rotation.

Adding Jarrett Jack means the Warriors have an NBA-veteran backup at point guard for Stephen Curry. It also pushes Charles Jenkins back to No. 3 on the depth chart. Jenkins filled in capably for the oft-injured Curry last season, though it was clearly a learning experience for the rookie from Hofstra. Jack's presence also means Curry can swing to off guard when coach Mark Jackson wants to use a three-guard look with Klay Thompson at small forward. And speaking of small forward, the trade of Dorell Wright opens up minutes for seventh-overall selection Harrison Barnes. Richard Jefferson's also around, but Golden State is moving forward with its young core, so expect Barnes to start at the three.

Los Angeles Clippers

Who's Coming:Jamal Crawford (FA), Grant Hill (FA), Ryan Hollins (FA), Ronny Turiaf (FA), Willie Green (FA), Lamar Odom (Trade)

Who's Going:Nick Young (FA), Bobby Simmons (FA), Kenyon Martin (FA), Randy Foye (FA), Reggie Evans (FA), Ryan Gomes (Amnesty), Sofoklis Schortsanitis (Trade), Mo Williams (Trade), Furkan Aldmir (Trade)

The Clippers added some high-character guys in the offseason with the intent of bolstering the team's depth, though injuries to Chauncey Billups (Achilles) and Blake Griffin (torn meniscus) may force a couple of the acquisitions into more prominent roles early on. With the re-signing of Billups, last season's starting five will return intact. However, Billups may not be up to speed by the start of the regular season. That means Willie Green, a former teammate of point guard Chris Paul, and Jamal Crawford will have bigger roles early in the season. Look for Green to start at the two until Billups is ready. Crawford was expected all along to be the team's sixth man and will likely remain in that role. Between Green, Crawford and the return of Billups, there are capable replacements for the production the Clips received from Mo Williams, Randy Foye and Nick Young.

Griffin's torn meniscus is a less serious injury, though you can never take any injury for granted. Getting Lamar Odom back to the place where his career started will allow coach Vinny Del Negro to keep Griffin's minutes in the low 30s. Ryan Hollins and Ronny Turiaf will fill out the big man rotation, though neither is expected to see big minutes. Both will give Del Negro energy guys to back up DeAndre Jordan. Hollins is an athletic shot blocker while Turiaf is more of a banger. The other major acquisition is Grant Hill, who comes to the Clippers after five seasons in Phoenix. At 40, Hill still has something to offer, but won't be needed for 30 minutes as he was with the Suns. He'll back up Caron Butler at small forward.

Los Angeles Lakers

Who's Coming:Dwight Howard (Trade), Steve Nash (FA), Antawn Jamison (FA), Chris Duhon (Trade), Earl Clark (Trade), Jodie Meeks (FA), Darius Johnson-Odom (55th overall, from Dallas), Robert Sacre (60th overall)

Who's Going:Andrew Bynum (Trade), Troy Murphy (FA), Matt Barnes (FA), Josh McRoberts (Trade), Christian Eyenga (Trade), Ramon Sessions (FA)

Where do we start? Filling the glaring need for better point guard play with one of the league's best playmakers, or the acquisition of the game's most dominant big man?

The offseason started when the Lakers were able to acquire Steve Nash from Phoenix for a collection of draft picks. Not only does the move improve production at the position, but Nash provides benefits for other players on the roster. Kobe Bryant won't be asked to handle the ball as much, freeing him up for better looks. And Pau Gasol and Nash should be able to work the pick-and-roll game masterfully.

And just when offseason basketball was all about watching Team USA, the shocking news broke that the Lakers acquired Dwight Howard from Orlando. Giving up Andrew Bynum was a large price, but Howard is a better player in several phases of low-post play. Bynum is more skilled offensively, but Howard is a better defender; he's exhibited better health over the years; and he can deal with double teams effectively.

Adding Antawn Jamison is a nice little offseason move that went overlooked. Los Angeles got very little point production from its bench, and Jamison should be the answer to that problem. The 14-year veteran, who has been remarkably durable throughout his career, will not reach the 33-minute per game level he's established over the past three seasons, but he should be a double-digit point producer off the bench playing both small and power forward.

Phoenix Suns

Who's Coming:Luis Scola (Claimed off Waivers), Goran Dragic (FA), Michael Beasley (FA), Jermaine O'Neal (FA), Wesley Johnson (Trade), P.J. Tucker (FA), Kendall Marshall (13th overall)

Who's Going:Grant Hill (FA), Steve Nash (FA), Ronnie Price (FA), Michael Redd (FA), Aaron Brooks (FA), Josh Childress (Amnesty), Hakim Warrick (Trade), Robin Lopez (FA), Jerome Dyson (Waived)

Two years of mediocrity and lottery finishes have prompted the Suns to start anew with a younger cast. You don't want to be living in the middle class of the NBA as you can get stuck spinning in place for several seasons. Phoenix kicked off its summer makeover by letting Steve Nash go in a sign-and-trade with the Lakers, getting only draft picks back in return. Once Nash left, it was only a matter of time before Grant Hill followed him out of the Valley. They let restricted and unrestricted free agents walk and were part of a three-team trade that sent Robin Lopez and Hakim Warrick to New Orleans. The Suns also had an offer sheet out to the Hornets' Eric Gordon, but that was unsuccessful when New Orleans matched it. The franchise is re-booting.

The roster churn leaves Phoenix with one of the league's younger rosters. Chemistry and leadership questions abound and we really don't know if the Suns are better off, worse off or about the same as 2011-12. We're looking at three new starters entering the upcoming season: Goran Dragic at point guard, Michael Beasley at small forward and Luis Scola at power forward will join returning starters Jared Dudley and Marcin Gortat. First-round draft pick Kendall Marshall will back up Dragic, who is entering his first full season as a team's No. 1 point guard. In Houston last season, Dragic averaged 18 points and 8.4 assists per game as a starter. The Suns are also hoping a normal offseason of preparation, including summer-league basketball, helps second-year forward Markeiff Morris evolve his low post game. Lastly, the Suns were very excited to land former fourth-overall pick Wesley Johnson from Minnesota. In what could evolve to be a classic change-of-scenery case, Johnson never fit in with the Timberwolves. He can play both perimeter spots and at this stage is more suited to a transition game.

Sacramento Kings

Who's Coming:Aaron Brooks (FA), James Johnson (Trade), Thomas Robinson (5th overall)

Who's Going:Hassan Whiteside (Waived), Donte Greene (FA), Terrence Williams (FA)

The Kings didn't do much in the offseason, but don't take that to mean they're happy with where they're at. Coach Keith Smart knows his team needs to improve on defense -- opponents shots a league-best 47.6 percent against Sacramento. They also need to shoot better. None of the new additions appear poised to address those needs too much. Improvement must come from within -- from players becoming a more cohesive unit and stretching themselves. Don't underestimate Smart's ability to pull something more from his players. He guided Golden State through a transitional phase to win 36 games in 2010-11, and then performed a similar trick with the Kings when he took over five games into the rapidly deteriorating 2011-12 season.

The Kings have talent throughout every level. The frontcourt was bolstered when Jason Thompson re-signed. Thompson has been a forgotten man after a nice rookie season. He's reclaimed the starting power forward job and will help groom Thomas Robinson, who made the team giddy when he fell to pick number five on draft night. Thomas had an uninspiring summer league. The rookie, at 6-9, needs to develop a greater low-post arsenal. Thompson, Robinson, Chuck Hayes and DeMarcus Cousins will form the frontcourt rotation.

Things get a bit more muddled as we move back. The Kings enter year four of the experiment to find Tyreke Evans' best position. He's been a point guard, a shooting guard and, at times last season, a small forward, which may have been stretching him beyond his limit defensively. Finding his best spot is encumbered by a crowded backcourt. Marcus Thornton, Sacramento's scoring and minutes leader in 2011-12, thrived at shooting guard. Isaiah Thomas emerged as a viable NBA point guard -- credit to Smart for his role in bringing Thomas along. And that was before the team signed Aaron Brooks to a two-year deal. Brooks played in China last year after an injury marred 2010-11 season that saw him fall off the league's radar. And we haven't even mentioned Jimmer Fredette. He still hasn't taken to the shooting point guard role the team wants. Smart will be challenged to find the right mix.

Southwest Division

Dallas Mavericks

Who's Coming:Chris Kaman (FA), Darren Collison (Trade), Dahntay Jones (Trade), Elton Brand (Claimed off Waivers), O.J. Mayo (FA), Tadija Dragicevic (Trade), Jared Cunningham (24th overall, from Cleveland), Bernard James (33rd overall, from Cleveland), Jae Crowder (34th overall, from Cleveland)

Who's Going:Jason Terry (FA), Ian Mahinmi (FA), Jason Kidd (FA), Yi Jianlian (FA), Brian Cardinal (FA), Brendan Haywood (Amnesty), Lamar Odom (Trade), Shan Foster (Trade), Kelenna Azubuike (Trade), Sean Williams (FA)

The Mavericks continued their roster shuffle with the intent to land a major free agent at some point in 2012 or 2013. The master plan called for Deron Williams to sign in Dallas and eventually lure Dwight Howard to form the NBA's next super team. Well, Williams re-signed with New Jersey, and Howard's been traded to the Lakers. Is there a Plan B?

Howard can be Plan B, but we may not know until the summer of 2013 whether he intends to extend his contract in L.A. To play this thing out and retain financial flexibility, Dallas added a lot of one-year rental talent and some youth to begin re-tooling. It's not accurate to call this rebuilding. We don't know how the news pieces will fit and the chemistry mixes, but this should be a playoff team. Darren Collison, playing for his third team in four seasons, is the presumed starter at point guard. It took Collison some time to acclimate in Indiana, so the Mavericks re-signed system veteran Delonte West just in case. O.J. Mayo is finally out of Memphis and could replace Jason Terry as a scorer off the bench or compete for the starting job with Vince Carter. This is a big year for Roddy Beaubois to show something -- staying healthy would be a start -- or he'll be buried in the guard rotation. Chris Kaman signed a one-year deal and will start at center. Elton Brand, another one-year special, will be fine in a backup role. There are possibly three new starters that will be joining Shawn Marion and Dirk Nowitzki. Coach Rick Carlisle has a job ahead of him.

Houston Rockets

Who's Coming:Omer Asik (FA), Jeremy Lin (FA), Carlos Delfino (FA), Gary Forbes (Trade), Toney Douglas (Trade), Jon Diebler (Trade), JaJuan Johnson (Trade), Sean Williams (Trade), Jon Brockman (Trade), Shaun Livingston (Trade), Jeremy Lamb (12th overall), Royce White (16th overall), Terrence Jones (18th overall), Furkan Aldemir (Trade), Jerome Jordan (Trade)

Who's Going:Courtney Lee (FA), Marcus Camby (FA), Goran Dragic (FA), Kyle Lowry (Trade), Luis Scola (Amnesty), Chase Budinger (Trade), Samuel Dalembert (Trade), Josh Harrellson (Waived), Jon Leuer (Waived)

Add the Rockets to the list of teams performing big re-modeling jobs this offseason. The goal was to entice the Magic to trade Dwight Howard to Houston, but we know how that worked out. The Rockets are left to rebuild around an unlikely core package of Jeremy Lin and Omer Asik. Well, at least they have salary cap room.

General manager Daryl Morey's moves will be heavily scrutinized this season. Nobody is expecting Houston to challenge for a playoff spot this season, but there had better be tangible signs of development from what may be the youngest roster in the NBA. Lin returns to Houston, a team apparently filled with remorse after releasing him on the eve of the 2011-12 season. The three-year, $25 million contract was too much for the Knicks, so they let the point guard go. To pair with Lin, Asik gives Houston an elite team defender, rebounder and rim-protector. He'll get plenty of minutes, so we're going to find out if he has any offense. Donatas Motiejunas, the 20th overall pick in the 2011 draft, will back up Asik.

The rest of the veteran acquisitions are mostly fodder. Carlos Delfino should work his way into a scoring role off the bench and can space the floor for Lin's pick-and-roll forays, but the Rockets will invest heavily in the young players added via the draft. Recent draft picks Chandler Parsons and Patrick Patterson should end up as the starting forwards, but we also see rotation minutes for 2012 picks Terrence Jones and Royce White. And with Kevin Martin on the final year of his contract, he's an ideal candidate to be traded, which will open up playing time for Jeremy Lamb.

With so much youth and inexperience, we're bound to see changes within the rotation throughout the season. Pay close attention to the Rockets as there will be a surprise fantasy contributor from this group.

Memphis Grizzlies

Who's Coming:Jerryd Bayless (FA), Wayne Ellington (Trade), D.J. Kennedy (Trade), Tony Wroten (25th overall)

Who's Going:Gilbert Arenas (FA), Dante Cunningham (Trade), Jeremy Pargo (Trade), O.J. Mayo (FA)

The Grizzlies have squandered some recent draft picks and are left to sustain their current run of success through trades or free agency. The list of unfulfilled promise goes back to Hasheem Thabeet (2nd overall in 2009), DeMarre Carroll (27th overall in 2009), Xavier Henry (12th overall in 2010), Dominique Jones (25th overall in 2010) and Greivis Vasquez (28th overall in 2010). All these wasted drafts have left Memphis in need of improved backcourt play/depth.

After they got a look at Tony Wroten, drafted 25th overall in 2012, in the Summer League, the Grizzlies knew they had to look elsewhere for a backup point guard. Wroten may be the future, but he's not the present. So, Memphis is pretty stoked about signing Jerryd Bayless, who will begin the season as Mike Conley's backup. The Griz needed point guard help and some perimeter scoring/shooting. Bayless, who shot 42 percent from 3-point range last season, helps to fill both team needs. So, Bayless turns out to be the key acquisition of the offseason, but we'll have to see if Wayne Ellington can give them the outside shooter they've been lacking. And maybe, just maybe, they can get something out of 2011 second-round pick Josh Selby (49th overall). Selby, who shot 56 percent and was named the co-MVP of the Las Vegas Summer League, is an x-factor entering the season.

The starting unit is rock solid for another season. Conley, Tony Allen, Rudy Gay, Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol return. The Grizzlies also locked up Darrel Arthur and Marresse Speights, so frontcourt depth is on hand. Arthur's had some injuries to start his career, but has impressed the Grizzlies enough to give him another three years. Speights was up and down for the Grizzlies, but as a backup in the frontcourt, he should be fine.

New Orleans Hornets

Who's Coming:Ryan Anderson (FA), Edin Bavcic (Trade), Robin Lopez (FA), Hakim Warrick (Trade), Roger Mason (FA), Brian Roberts (FA), Anthony Davis (1st overall), Austin Rivers (10th overall), Darius Miller (46th overall)

Who's Going:Emeka Okafor (Trade), Trevor Ariza (Trade), Carl Landry (FA), Chris Kaman (FA), Marco Bellinelli (FA), Gustavo Ayon (Trade), Darryl Watkins (Trade), Jarrett Jack (Trade), Jerome Dyson (Trade), DeJuan Summers (FA), Darryl Watkins (Trade), Rashard Lewis (Waived)

The Hornets were all optimism after landing the first pick in the draft and having two lottery selections. A young and rebuilding team on the way up; what's not to be optimistic about? Well, the mood soured pretty quickly when Eric Gordon not only signed an offer sheet with Phoenix, but also had comments about the organization on his way out of town. The problem is that Gordon was a restricted free agent and New Orleans had every intention of matching any offer. Gordon's back in the fold and there may be some uncomfortable and awkward moments initially. But he's expected to be the team's scoring leader and all will be forgiven as long as he produces. That means avoiding injury -- something Gordon hasn't done since his rookie season.

In the backcourt with Gordon, we'll see Greivis Vasquez and 10th-overall pick Austin Rivers compete for the starting point guard job after the team shipped Jarrett Jack to Golden State. The Hornets are attempting to make Rivers a combo guard, an experiment that yielded mixed results in the Summer League. Whether or not Rivers is starting, he'll be part of coach Monty Williams' rotation. Rivers is expected to be ready for training camp after undergoing offseason ankle surgery (bone spurs removed).

Anthony Davis was the consensus No. 1-overall pick and he'll start right away. Probably at small forward, though he'll see time at both forward spots. Ryan Anderson, acquired from Orlando, lines up at power forward. But he's a stretch four, who doesn't make his living near the basket. Behind Davis and Anderson will be Al-Farouq Aminu. Robin Lopez inherits the opening at starting center after Emeka Okafor's contract was shipped to Washington. Lopez had his ups and downs in Phoenix, mostly due to injuries. He's never averaged more than 20 minutes a game in any of his four seasons, so we'll get a good look at his capabilities in 2012-13. He's coming off knee (repair a torn meniscus) surgery and will be ready for training camp.

San Antonio Spurs

Who's Coming:Marcus Denmon (59th overall), Nando De Colo (53rd overall, 2009 draft)

Who's Going:James Anderson (FA), Derrick Byars (Waived)

Ho-hum. It's the San Antonio Spurs and nothing much changes. In the offseason, San Antonio re-signed the players they wanted to keep from last season's team -- Tim Duncan, Patty Mills, Boris Diaw and Danny Green -- and added a couple of draft picks. What you saw at the end of the 2011-12 season is pretty much what you'll see come October.

Much like Oklahoma City, the Spurs will look for in-house improvement from young wing players like Green and Kawhi Leonard. The Spurs are excited to see what a full offseason of development will bring out in Leonard, who toyed with Summer League competition. He'll have an increased role this season. And they'll get a full season of Boris Diaw, who became an immediate part of the rotation when he signed on with them in late March. His addition means DeJuan Blair will be marginalized in the rotation. After Diaw's arrival last season, Blair's playing time took a hit and he played less than eight minutes per game in the playoffs.

Nando De Colo, a 2009 draft pick, comes to North America after three seasons playing at a high level in Europe. He has good size at guard and can play both spots, though his role will be determined once he's in town and playing with his new teammates.