(Photo by Complex.com)

DALLAS MAVERICKS

The Mavericks made the playoffs and despite a first-round exit to the Clippers, they made an admirable effort with the future looking bright. Luka Doncic continues his ascent as one of the top players in the league and if Kristaps Porzingis can stay healthy, the Mavs have the roster that could lead them to the top of the West. Just not yet.

HOUSTON ROCKETS

Another early exit in the playoffs meant the Rockets decided to blow it up. Mike D'Antoni and Daryl Morey leaves in a huff while Russell Westbrook requested for a trade and receiving one. James Harden is at least here and happy. Oh, wait. He's partying it up in Vegas and wanting out, too. John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins have their reunion, but looks like a combustible season for Houston.

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES

The times are a-changing in Memphis as the Grizz began to shy away from Grit N' Grind to a more faster paced offense due to Rookie of the Year Ja Morant. Memphis missed the playoffs by a game, which is a plus as they will continue their ascent back to prominence. Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., Brandon Clarke and Justise Winslow are the key to the Grizzlies making the playoffs this season.

SAN ANTONIO SPURS

(Playing Taps) After an over 20 year streak of making the playoffs, the Spurs missed them in the "bubble". Now the hard part begins. San Antonio has been successful with rebuilding before, but this time, they have a slew of young talent that hasn't broken out yet. Pop isn't getting younger and it looks like dark times are ahead this season.

NEW ORLEANS PELICANS

The Pels had an up-and-down season, where future pieces flourished as Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson and a future piece in waiting in Jaxson Hayes. New Orleans traded long time guard Jrue Holiday to Milwaukee for 3 first-round picks and more investment for the future. They let Alvin Gentry go and hired.....Stan Van Gundy. Ok, I guess. Anyway, I see the Pelicans as a playoff team.

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

It's coming. Sam Presti's super-mega rebuild has begun. It was supposed to happen last season, but the Thunder overachieved and made the playoffs. Now, with experienced players traded or leaving for free-agency (except Al Horford and George Hill), OKC is headed into a season of malaise, but they have a workload full of draft picks on the horizon. So, yay?!

DENVER (hold on) N.U.G.G.E.T.S

The....DENVER was the talk of the "playoffs". After coming back from a 3-1 deficit on two occasions, Denver's basketball team could be a terror entering this season. Jamal Murray became a megastar overnight and Nikola Jokic continues to improve. The NBA team located in Colorado can become the top team in the West.

(Just taking precaution after what happened to the Charlotte Hornets radio announcer.)

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES

The Wolves had a horrible season, but traded for D'Angelo Russell to keep KAT happy. Then they won the draft lottery and selected Georgia swingman Anthony Edwards. Minnesota is still a club that is in flux right now, but hopefully the selection of Edwards gives them the third option.

PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS

Portland is a team that deserves better. You have two loyal stars in Damien Lillard and C.J. McCollum, a solid big man in Jusef Nurkic and a legend in Carmelo Anthony. Their depth is one of the deepest in the league. However, they made the Western Conference Finals in 2019, yet it seems to fall short of expectations. This season could be vital for the Blazers.

UTAH JAZZ

If there was a team that used giving up a 3-1 lead in the "playoffs" as a positive, it's the Jazz. They saw a future that looks bright. Donovan Mitchell saw that and decided to sign a max extension with the team. Utah gave Rudy Gobert a huge extension as the organization is building on returning to the conference's elite.

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS

After the losing to the Raptors in the 2019 Finals, the Warriors took a step back in their first season at Chase Center. Klay Thompson missing the season with a torn ACL was impacted again now that he has to miss this season with an Achilles' tear. Drafting James Wiseman and acquiring Kelly Oubre Jr. could help the Warriors become a playoff team.

LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS

L.A. had high expectations heading into the season and held a 3-1 lead in the "playoffs" to DENVER, only to see it evaporate and gone away. Doc Rivers was "mutually" shown the door as alleged infighting was the culprit. The Clippers will once again be near the top of the conference, but the real question is, can they reach the mountaintop this season?

LOS ANGELES LAKERS

The season started well for the Lakers, until tragedy struck as NBA all-time great Kobe Bryant, along with his daughter, Gianna, was killed in a helicopter crash in January. It seemed as the team used his passing, along with the long layoff, as fuel to thrive. It worked as the Lakers ran roughshod through the "playoffs" to capture the NBA title and enter this season looking for more with the additions of Dennis Schroeder, Montrezl Harrell and Marc Gasol.

PHOENIX SUNS

The Suns had a reasonable season, then inside the "bubble", something happened. They went 8-0 and despite missing the "playoffs", Phoenix has momentum going into this season. They traded for Chris Paul, their arena is looking pristine after a multimillion renovation and players are seemingly happy. Could generate into a good season. Oh, and this.

And last, but not least

SACRAMENTO KINGS

The Kings had an underwhelming season and the "bubble" didn't do them any favors. That led to Vlade Divac and Peja Stojakovic leaving the front office, being replaced by Monte McNair. The organization locked up DeAaron Fox, which was smart. Drafting Tyrese Haliburton was a steal and signing Hassan Whiteside for a year can help the team become playoff contenders. Hopefully, that can be a reality. Please?

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