NBA POWER RANKINGS: Where all 30 teams stand at the start of the season

2014 record: 45-37, 9th in West

Key additions: Hired Billy Donovan (coach)

Key losses: none

One thing to know: Through the preseason, Kevin Durant hasn't shown any ill-effects from last year's foot surgeries, and new coach Billy Donovan has shown glimpses of how he'll mix up a previously stagnant offense.

2014 record: 53-29, 2nd in East

Key additions: Mo Williams, Richard Jefferson

Key losses: none

One thing to know: The Cavs finally re-signed Tristan Thompson, bringing back the entire core of last year's championship team. However, they're currently battling an injury bug that suggests it'll be another slow start to the season.

2014 record: 55-27, 6th in West

Key additions: LaMarcus Aldridge, David West, Ray McCallum Jr.

Key losses: Tiago Splitter, Cory Joseph, Aron Baynes

One thing to know: In a league that's gradually getting smaller, the Spurs went bigger, adding LaMarcus Aldridge and David West.

2014 record: 56-26, 2nd in West

Key additions: Ty Lawson, Marcus Thornton, Sam Dekker

Key losses: Josh Smith

One thing to know: The Rockets should benefit from more roster continuity and key additions like Ty Laweson, but Dwight Howard's health remains a concern.

2014 record: 56-26, 3rd in West

Key additions: Josh Smith, Paul Pierce, Lance Stephenson, Cole Aldrich

Key losses: Matt Barnes, Spencer Hawes

One thing to know: The Clippers might have the deepest team on paper, but it's fair to wonder how a bench of Austin Rivers, Jamal Crawford, Lance Stephenson, Paul Pierce, and Josh Smith will mesh... and defend.

2014 record: 60-22

Key additions: Tiago Splitter, Tim Hardaway Jr.

Key losses: DeMarre Carroll

One thing to know: The Hawks lost one of the best perimeter defenders in DeMarre Carroll, but Thabo Sefolosha is back and healthy, and the Hawks addressed their problems on the glass by getting Spurs big man Tiago Splitter.

2014 record: 49-33, 4th in East

Key additions: DeMarre Carroll, Cory Joseph, Bismack Biyombo, Luis Scola

Key losses: Lou Williams, Amir Johnson, Greivis Vasquez

One thing to know: Perhaps we're believing too much in preseason, but Skinny Kyle Lowry just averaged 22 points per game with 50% three-point shooting in less than 30 minutes per game. We're also buying what DeMarre Carroll is selling.

2014 record: 55-27, 5th in West

Key additions: Brandan Wright, Matt Barnes

Key losses: Kosta Koufos

One thing to know: The Grizzlies still haven't added the necessary shooting that could bring this offense into the top-tier of the Western Conference.

2014 record: 50-32, 3rd in East

Key additions: Bobby Portis, hired Fred Hoiberg (coach)

Key losses: none

One thing to know: We're concerned about how these pieces all fit together, particularly when new coach Fred Hoiberg is considering bringing Joakim Noah off the bench, just to avoid the Noah-Paul Gasol cluster in the starting unit.

2014 record: 46-36, 5th in East

Key additions: Jared Dudley, Alan Anderson, Gary Neal

Key losses: Paul Pierce

One thing to know: John Wall said his fitness level from last year wouldn't have helped him this year, hinting again that the Wizards are playing small and fast this season.

2014 record: 37-45, 10th in East

Key additions: Justise Winslow, Amar'e Stoudemire, Gerald Green

Key losses: Shabazz Napier

One thing to know: Chris Bosh says the Heat can get a playoff seed just by showing up. It's possible in the weak East, but the Heat have so many injury and defensive concerns that they'll need to do more than just show up to prove they're one of the East's elite teams.

2014 record: 45-37, 8th in West

Key additions: Hired Alvin Gentry (coach)

Key losses: none

One thing to know: The Pelicans are struggling mightily with injuries right now, and they won't make that expected jump in the West until everyone is healthy.

2014 record: 38-44, 11th in West

Key additions: Trey Lyles

Key losses: none

One thing to know: The Jazz were 19-10 with the NBA's best defense after the All-Star break last year. Can they maintain that success to fight for a playoff spot in the West?

2014 record: 39-43, 10th in West

Key additions: Tyson Chandler, Mirza Teletovic, Devin Booker

Key losses: Marcus Morris, Gerald Green

One thing to know: Grantland's Zach Lowe says Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver wants to get back to the playoffs and is growing impatient.

2014 record: 40-42, 7th in East

Key additions: David Lee, Amir Johnson

Key losses: Brandon Bass

One thing to know: Like the Jazz of the East, the NBA world is waiting to see if the Celtics can carry a hot finish to last season into this year. The Celtics, for what it's worth, went 6-1 in preseason.

2014 record: 41-41, 6th in East

Key additions: Greg Monroe, Greivis Vasquez, Chris Copeland

Key losses: Ersan Ilyasova

One thing to know: The Bucks got better on paper and have a year of experience under their belts, but can their offense produce enough points with so few shooters on the court?

2014 record: 32-50, 12th in East

Key additions: Ersan Ilyasova, Marcus Morris, Stanley Johnson

Key losses: Greg Monroe

One thing to know: Andre Drummond is the star of the show this year, and in a new spaced-out offense, averaged 15 points and 12 rebounds per game in preseason.

2014 record: 17-65, 15th in East

Key additions: Robin Lopez, Arron Afflalo, Derrick Williams, Kyle O'Quinn, Kristaps Porzingis, Jerian Grant

Key losses: Tim Hardaway Jr., Andrea Bargnani, Shane Larkin, Cole Aldrich, Jason Smith

One thing to know: Knicks rookies Kristaps Porzingis and Jerian Grant seem ready to contribute right away, which could give the Knicks an added boost this season.

2014 record: 38-44, 9th in East

Key additions: Monta Ellis, Jordan Hill, Chase Budinger, Myles Turner

Key losses: Roy Hibbert, David West

One thing to know: A gentle observation that Paul George's shooting was all over the place in his new role as a small-ball power forward during preseason.

2014 record: 50-32, 7th in West

Key additions: Wesley Matthews, Deron Williams, Zaza Pachulia

Key losses: Tyson Chandler, Rajon Rondo, Amar'e Stoudemire, Richard Jefferson

One thing to know: The Mavs went 0-7 in preseason, but the starting back-court of Wesley Matthews and Deron Williams are way ahead of schedule, which should be reason for optimism.

2014 record: 29-53, 13th in West

Key additions: Rajon Rondo, Kosta Koufos, Marco Belinelli, Willie Cauley-Stein

Key losses: Jason Thompson, Nik Stauskas

One thing to know: The Kings went 5-1 in preseason, and ESPN's Marc Stein says NBA scouts are high on them. The Kings' multiple personalities in the locker room will be interesting to monitor at the first whiff of turmoil.

2014 record: 33-49, 11th in East

Key additions: Nicolas Batum, Jeremy Lin, Frank Kaminsky, Spencer Hawes

Key losses: Lance Stephenson, Bismack Biyombo

One thing to know: Not buying the 7-1 preseason, particularly with Michael Kidd-Gilchrist out for the year. The difference between the Hornets with Gilchrist in the lineup and out last season is alarming.

2014 record: 25-57, 13th in East

Key additions: Jason Smith, Shabazz Napier, Mario Hezonja, hired Scott Skiles (coach)

Key losses: Kyle O'Quinn, Maurice Harkless

One thing to know: According to Marc Stein, teams coached by Scott Skiles average a 12-point jump in defensive efficiency in their first year under him.

2014 record: 38-44, 8th in East

Key additions: Andrea Bargnani, Shane Larkin, Wayne Ellington

Key losses: Deron Williams, Mason Plumlee

One thing to know: The Nets have no incentive to be bad since they don't own their draft pick. Unfortunately, in the East lottery that consists of mostly rising teams, it seems the Nets are going the opposite direction.

2014 record: 30-52, 12th in West

Key additions: Emmanuel Mudiay, hired Mike Malone (coach)

Key losses: Ty Lawson

One thing to know: The Nuggets might not win many games, but Mike Malone knows a whole philosophical change in the organization is the biggest priority this season.

2014 record: 21-61, 14th in West

Key additions: Lou Williams, Roy Hibbert, Brandon Bass, D'Angelo Russell, Metta World Peace

Key losses: Jeremy Lin, Jordan Hill, Ed Davis

One thing to know: The Lakers need to rebuild, and the NBA world thinks moving on from Kobe Bryant is the only way to do so.

2014 record: 51-31

Key additions: Al-Farouq Aminu, Ed Davis, Mason Plumlee, Maurice Harkless, Gerald Henderson, Noah Vonleh

Key losses: LaMarcus Aldridge, Wesley Matthews, Nicolas Batum, Robin Lopez

One thing to know: Damian Lillard is the only player left from the starting lineup of the Blazers 51-win team last year. He averaged 21 shot attempts per game in the preseason, most in the league.

2014 record: 16-66, 15th in West

Key additions: Tayshaun Prince, Andre Miller, Karl Towns, Tyus Jones

Key losses: Chase Budinger

One thing to know: The Wolves' exciting group of youngsters seem like must-watch TV until you remember they'll likely trail by double-digits throughout the season.

2014 record: 18-64

Key additions: Carl Landry, Nik Stauskas, Kendall Marshall, Jahlil Okafor

Key losses: none

One thing to know: The 76ers are paying $26 million in dead cap space just to hit the NBA's salary floor. How long does ownership ride with Sam Hinkie's plan?

One player from all 30 NBA teams who could break out and dominate in 2015 >