NBA POWER RANKINGS: Where all 30 teams stand with preseason underway

2015-16 record: 21-61, 14th in East

Big offseason additions: Jeremy Lin, Greivis Vasquez, Luis Scola

Big offseason losses: Thaddeus Young, Jarrett Jack, Shane Larkin (unsigned)

One thing to know: Stripped of draft picks, the Nets tried to rebuild around young players with something to prove, but ultimately, this team is still facing a long, slow uphill climb.

2015-16 record: 17-65, 15th in West

Big offseason additions: Timofey Mozgov, Luol Deng, Jose Calderon, Brandon Ingram, hired Luke Walton

Big offseason losses: Kobe Bryant (retired), Brandon Bass, Roy Hibbert

One thing to know: The Lakers overpaid for veteran help, but Deng, Mozgov, and Calderon should all be helpful influences to a young core that now includes three lottery picks.

2015-16 record: 23-59, 14th in West

Big offseason additions: Jared Dudley, Leandro Barbosa, Dragan Bender, Marquese Chriss

Big offseason losses: Mirza Teletovic

One thing to know: The Suns are going to bring Brandon Knight off the bench to start the year after two years of failed dual-point-guard experiments. Will Knight embrace the role?

2015-16 record: 30-52, 12th in West

Big offseason additions: Solomon Hill, Langston Galloway, Buddy Hield

Big offseason losses: Eric Gordon, Ryan Anderson

One thing to know: For the second year in a row, the Pelicans look like they're stuck in neutral as they try to build a playoff squad around Anthony Davis. They're lucky they have him locked into a long-term deal.

2015-16 record: 33-49

Big offseason additions: Arron Afflalo, Matt Barnes, Georgios Papagiannis, Skal Labissiere, hired Dave Joeger

Big offseason losses: Rajon Rondo, Marco Belinelli, Seth Curry

One thing to know: The Kings had a puzzling offseason that saw them seemingly add players on a whim. DeMarcus Cousins didn't like it. And Rudy Gay is already talking about leaving as soon as he can. The Kings!

2015-16 record: 33-49, 12th in East

Big offseason additions: Matthew Dellavedova, Mirza Teletovic, Thon Maker

Big offseason losses: Jerryd Bayless, Greivis Vasquez

One thing to know: The Bucks made a $100-million investment in Giannis Antetokounmpo prior to training camp. Unfortunately, they'll be impacted by Khris Middleton's hamstring injury, which will keep him out for several months.

2015-16 record: 48-34, 3rd in East

Big offseason additions: Dion Waiters, Derrick Williams

Big offseason losses: Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Luol Deng, Joe Johnson, Gerald Green

One thing to know: The Big 3 era is officially over in Miami with the news that the team is no longer working towards Chris Bosh's return to the court from bloodclots. That remains a hazy situation, but in the meantime, the Heat figure to see a big drop-off after losing so much talent and finding little in the way of replacements.

2015-16 record: 33-49, 11th in West

Big offseason additions: Jamal Murray

Big offseason losses: none

One thing to know: The Nuggets have quietly assembled a collection of young, versatile players. With better health and another year under head coach Mike Malone, they should improve.

2015-16 record: 29-53, 13th in West

Big offseason additions: Jordan Hill, Brandon Rush, Cole Aldrich, Kris Dunn, hired Tom Thibodeau

Big offseason losses: Kevin Garnett (retired)

One thing to know: The Wolves have the most exciting young core in the NBA, and the addition of a young point guard in Dunn and the hiring of Thibodeau has raised expectations. Some believe they may already challenge for a playoff spot.

2015-16 record: 41-41, 10th in East

Big offseason additions: Ian Mahinmi, Trey Burke, Jason Smith

Big offseason losses: Nene, Jared Dudley, Ramon Sessions

One thing to know: The Wizards ultimately did little in free agency after learning early they were not in on the Kevin Durant sweepstakes. The potential is there for this team, but they need John Wall and Bradley Beal to get along better than they currently do.

2015-16 record: 35-47, 11th in East

Big offseason additions: Serge Ibaka, Bismack Biyombo, Jeff Green, DJ Augustin, hired Frank Vogel

Big offseason losses: Victor Oladipo, Ersan Ilyasova, Brandon Jennings

One thing to know: The Magic had one of the more confounding offseasons, spending money on redundant positions and on veterans who will take time away from their young core. Nonetheless, the team is more talented than last year and Vogel should be able to put it together to compete for a playoff spot.

2015-16 record: 42-40, 9th in East

Big offseason additions: Dwyane Wade, Rajon Rondo, Robin Lopez, Jerian Grant

Big offseason losses: Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, Pau Gasol, Mike Dunleavy Jr.

One thing to know: The Bulls may have gotten too star-struck by the names on the market when they signed Wade and Rondo. There's only one ball for Wade, Rondo, and Jimmy Butler to share, and none of them provide the necessary floor-spacing.

2015-16 record: 32-50, 13th in East

Big offseason additions: Joakim Noah, Derrick Rose, Courtney Lee, Brandon Jennings, hired Jeff Hornacek

Big offseason losses: Robin Lopez, Aaron Afflalo, Jose Calderon, Jerian Grant, Langston Galloway, Derrick Williams

One thing to know: The Knicks spent big to put a playoff contender around Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis. However, injury history is a major concern for several of their offseason signings, and Rose's civil lawsuit over an alleged gang rape is hanging over the team's new point guard.

2015-16 record: 42-40, 6th in West

Big offseason additions: Harrison Barnes, Andrew Bogut, Seth Curry

Big offseason losses: Chandler Parsons, Zaza Pachulia, Raymond Felton

One thing to know: The Mavs once again struck out on their top free agents, and Dirk Nowitzki forced them to finally pay up. But they did land Barnes (albeit in an overpay) and Bogut, both of whom should fit very well into their game plan.

2015-16 record: 48-34, 6th in East

Big offseason additions: Roy Hibbert, Marco Belinelli, Ramon Sessions

Big offseason losses: Jeremy Lin, Courtney Lee, Al Jefferson

One thing to know: The Hornets had to make some tough free-agency decisions, and opted to spend to keep Nicolas Batum (five years, $120 million) and Marvin Williams (four years, $54 million). The question is if they can continue to grow after letting valuable back-court members such as Lin and Lee walk in the offseason.

2015-16 record: 44-38, 8th in East

Big offseason additions: Ish Smith, Boban Marjanovic

Big offseason losses: Jodie Meeks

One thing to know: The Pistons are hoping they can take the next step with their young core after breaking a six-year playoff drought last season. If all of the pieces come together, the future is bright.

2015-16 record: 45-37, 7th in East

Big offseason additions: Jeff Teague, Al Jefferson, Thaddeus Young, hired Nate McMillan

Big offseason losses: George Hill, Solomon Hill, Jordan Hill

One thing to know: Pacers president Larry Bird said he wanted a faster, higher-scoring offense, which led to the departures of Hill and coach Frank Vogel.

2015-16 record: 41-41, 8th in West

Big offseason additions: Eric Gordon, Ryan Anderson, Nene, hired Mike D'Antoni

Big offseason losses: Dwight Howard, Terrence Jones

One thing to know: One of last season's most inconsistent teams, the Rockets should pile up points in Mike D'Antoni's offense, where James Harden will act as point guard.

2015-16 record: 42-40, 7th in West

Big offseason additions: Chandler Parsons, hired David Fizdale

Big offseason losses: Lance Stephenson, Mario Chalmers (unsigned)

One thing to know: The Grizzlies were decimated by injuries last year. Though they broke the bank to retain Mike Conley and Parsons ($247 million in total combined salary), the offense should be improved and put them in the playoff mix again this season.

2015-16 record: 44-38, 5th in West

Big offseason additions: Evan Turner, Festus Ezeli

Big offseason losses: Gerald Henderson

One thing to know: The Blazers were the surprise team of the West last year. They'll benefit from another year of growth from their dynamic backcourt of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum, but there are questions about how Turner will fit next to them.

2015-16 record: 48-34, 4th in East

Big offseason additions: Dwight Howard, Jarrett Jack

Big offseason losses: Al Horford, Jeff Teague

One thing to know: If Dwight Howard buys in (and stays healthy), it's easy to see the Hawks maintaining their defensive intensity while utilizing a deadly spread-pick-and-roll attack on offense.

2015-16 record: 55-27, 3rd in West

Big offseason additions: Victor Oladipo, Ersan Ilyasova, Domantas Sabonis

Big offseason losses: Kevin Durant, Serge Ibaka, Dion Waiters

One thing to know: While the loss of Durant obviously sets the entire franchise back, they still have Russell Westbrook, a promising young center in Steven Adams, and two intriguing young players in Oladipo and Sabonis. They should remain a solid playoff team.

2015-16 record: 40-42, 9th in West

Big offseason additions: George Hill, Joe Johnson, Boris Diaw

Big offseason losses: Trey Burke

One thing to know: The Jazz finally added the veteran help they've needed in George Hill, Joe Johnson, and Boris Diaw, all of whom bring skills the team has lacked. With a young and developing core, the Jazz look poised to break into the Western Conference's elite.

2015-16 record: 48-34, 6th in East

Big offseason additions: Al Horford, Jalen Brown

Big offseason losses: Evan Turner, Jared Sullinger

One thing to know: Somehow, the Celtics cobbled together 48 wins without a true superstar. Now, they've added an All-Star big man in Al Horford, who fits what they do perfectly. This deep team full of valuable role players should top 50 wins this season.

2015-16 record: 67-15, 2nd in East

Big offseason additions: Pau Gasol, David Lee

Big offseason losses: Tim Duncan

One thing to know: The Spurs were five points worse defensively with Tim Duncan off the court than on last year. They'll miss Duncan greatly, and they still lack a player who can get into the paint and make plays. This may be the early stages of the long-discussed Spurs decline.

2015-16 record: 56-26, 2nd in East

Big offseason additions: Jared Sullinger

Big offseason losses: Bismack Biyombo

One thing to know: The Raptors opted to keep things mostly the same after the best season in franchise history. They finally won two playoff series last year, came within two wins of the Finals, and are a major Cavs injury away from competing for the No. 1 seed.

2015-16 record: 53-29, 4th in West

Big offseason additions: Raymond Felton, Brandon Bass, Marreese Speights

Big offseason losses: Jeff Green, Cole Aldrich, Pablo Prigioni

One thing to know: The Clippers starting five is as good as anyone in the NBA — when healthy. Last year, their playoff hopes came crumbling down in one game when both Chris Paul and Blake Griffin sustained season-ending injuries. This year, the gang is back with a revamped bench and a weaker Western Conference up top.

2015-16 record: 73-9, 1st in West

Big offseason additions: Kevin Durant, Zaza Pachulia, David West

Big offseason losses: Andrew Bogut, Harrison Barnes, Festus Ezeli, Marreese Speights, Leandro Barbosa

One thing to know: The team that won the most games in NBA history and has the reigning MVP signed one of three best players in the league. How will anyone stop this team?

2015-16 record: 57-25, 1st in East

Big offseason additions: Chris Andersen, Mike Dunleavy Jr.

Big offseason losses: Matthew Dellavedova, Timofey Mozgov, Mo Williams

One thing to know: The Cavaliers are the reigning champions, and until the real games get started, they stand at No. 1. The Cavs kept most of their championship core together and are still easily the best team in the Eastern Conference. The one remaining question is when and if they'll bring back J.R. Smith.

MLB PLAYOFFS POWER RANKINGS: Where all 10 teams stand heading into the postseason >