NBA Western Conference team capsules
1. Golden State Warriors
Coach: Steve Kerr (3rd season)
Last year: 73-9 (lost in Finals)
Outlook: After adding Kevin Durant to a mix that already includes two-time MVP Steph Curry, the Warriors have the NBA's first- and third-leading scorers from last season on the same team. This should be an interesting study in shot distribution, but keep in mind, two starters (Harrison Barnes and Andrew Bogut) left to make room for KD.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder
Coach: Billy Donovan (2nd season)
Last year: 55-27
Outlook: Kevin Durant decided to skip town, but the cupboard is not bare, especially after Russell Westbrook defied conventional wisdom and signed an extension to stay in OKC beyond this season. SG Victor Oladipo is the new backcourt partner, while PF Enes Kanter and C Steven Adams should get more opportunities.
3. San Antonio Spurs
Coach: Gregg Popovich (21st season)
Last year: 67-15
Outlook: Especially from a Bulls perspective, it will be interesting to see if Pau Gasol's offense can help offset the loss of Tim Duncan's defense. SF Kawhi Leonard, PF LaMarcus Aldridge, PG Tony Parker and friends are back for another run.
4. Los Angeles Clippers
Coach: Doc Rivers (4th season)
Last year: 53-29
Outlook: Something always seems to go wrong at the worst time for the Clippers, such as last year's playoff injuries. Most successful NBA teams don't have $41 million tied up in two frontcourt players (PF Blake Griffin and C DeAndre Jordan), so it might be time for a change.
5. Minnesota Timberwolves
Coach: Tom Thibodeau (1st season)
Last year: 29-53
Outlook: This is the definition of an exciting young team, with the last two rookies of the year, C Karl Anthony Towns and SF Andrew Wiggins, dunk champ Zach LaVine and rookie PG Kris Dunn. Are there enough hours in the day for Thibodeau to turn this young squad into a playoff team?
6. Dallas Mavericks
Coach: Rick Carlisle (9th season)
Last year: 42-40
Outlook: The Mavs keep trying to build a supporting cast that will give Dirk Nowitzki another good playoff run. Maybe they found the answer this summer by collecting a couple of discarded Warriors, SF Harrison Barnes and C Andrew Bogut.
7. Memphis Grizzlies
Coach: David Fizdale (1st season)
Last year: 42-40
Outlook: The loyalty in Memphis is impressive. PG Mike Conley could have left as a free-agent, but accepted a big contract to stay and helped recruit SF Chandler Parsons from Dallas. The window might be sliding shut, though, with PF Zach Randolph now 35 and SG Tony Allen 34.
8. Portland Trail Blazers
Coach: Terry Stotts (5th season)
Last year: 44-38
Outlook: The salary structure on this team is mind-boggling: PG Damian Lillard will make $24.3 million this season, Allen Crabbe $18.5 million, Evan Turner $16.4 million, then the next highest-paid players are C Meyers Leonard, PF Moe Harkless, SF Al-Farouq Aminu and ex-Warriors C Festus Ezeli. C.J. McCollum's $24-million extension kicks in next year. The Blazers might be good, but that's a lot of cash for unproven players.
9. Houston Rockets
Coach: Mike D'Antoni (1st season)
Last year: 41-41
Outlook: Maybe the most disappointing team in the West last season, the Rockets responded by hiring D'Antoni to create a fast-paced attack around SG James Harden, and newcomers SG Eric Gordon and SF Ryan Anderson. Look for defense to be a team weakness.
10. Utah Jazz
Coach: Quin Snyder (3rd season)
Last year: 40-42
Outlook: There's some young talent here and the Jazz missed making the playoffs by one game. Over the summer, Utah added a couple vets in PF Boris Diaw and SG Joe Johnson for an extra boost. SF Gordon Hayward is one of the league's most underrated stars.
11. New Orleans Pelicans
Coach: Alvin Gentry (2nd season)
Last year: 30-52
Outlook: Injuries knocked out pretty much every significant Pelican last season. PF Anthony Davis missed 21 games, creating a detour on his path to becoming the league's next superstar. Not much is new on the roster, other than former Bulls SG E'Twaun Moore being ready to jump in if Jrue Holiday or Tyreke Evans gets hurt again.
12. Los Angeles Lakers
Coach: Luke Walton (1st season)
Last year: 17-65
Outlook: Instead of waiting for Kobe Bryant to retire, Lakers fans can wait on young guys like PF Julius Randle, PG D'Angelo Russell and SF Brandon Ingram to get better. SF Luol Deng climbed aboard to provide veteran wisdom.
13. Phoenix Suns
Coach: Earl Watson (2nd season)
Last year: 23-59
Outlook: The Suns have a pretty good backcourt with combo guards Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight. But outside of C Tyson Chandler, 34, the roster is filled with developing youngsters. At least last year's rookie, SF Devin Booker, was better than expected.
14. Sacramento Kings
Coach: Dave Joerger (1st season)
Last year: 33-49
Outlook: The Bulls could use some improvement from the Kings. They'll get Sacramento's first-round pick next year if it's not in the top 10. The odds don't appear favorable. There's another new coach, but the Kings are still surly PF DeMarcus Cousins, unhappy SF Rudy Gay and a questionable supporting cast.
15. Denver Nuggets
Coach: Mike Malone (2nd season)
Last year: 33-49
Outlook: SF Danilo Gallinari is a nice player when healthy, otherwise there's not much to get excited about. The two building blocks, PG Emmanuel Mudiay and SG Jamal Murray, seem like guys who should have spent more time in college.