ATLANTIC DIVISION
New Jersey Nets
Retained free agent Jason Kidd and added center Alonzo Mourning, bolstering the team that represented the East in the NBA Finals for the past two seasons.
Did not add a shooter with their $1.5 million exception, instead deciding to retain Lucious Harris. Dealt a pure shooter, Creighton rookie Kyle Korver, to Philadelphia for $125,000.
Philadelphia 76ers
Made a clean break with Larry Brown, who left to coach the Detroit Pistons. Dealt Keith Van Horn to New York in a four-team trade that brought in another 20-point scorer, Glenn Robinson, and a rebounder, Marc Jackson. Re-signed starting center Derrick Coleman, but size remains an issue.
Boston Celtics
Brought in Danny Ainge as director of basketball operations, re-signed forward Walter McCarty, acquired forward Jumaine Jones from Cleveland, drafted point guard Marcus Banks. Plenty of Antoine Walker trade rumors have been out there all summer, and the Celtics still have not gotten big enough along the front line.
Orlando Magic
Signed free agent forward Juwan Howard and guard Tyronn Lue, unveiled new uniform and logo. Always trying to get bigger at center, but probably will stand pat and see how rookies Reece Gaines, Keith Bogans and Zaza Pachulia work out.
Washington Wizards
After showing Michael Jordan the door, extended the contract of Jerry Stackhouse, hired coach Eddie Jordan and general manager Ernie Grunfeld, and signed free agent guard Gilbert Arenas. Roster appears set, with nine of 12 players younger than 25, although Grunfeld has never been shy about shaking things up with trades.
New York Knicks
Acquired Van Horn for Latrell Sprewell, getting younger and taller but losing a tough defender. Drafted power forward Michael Sweetney, who could be a contributor if Antonio McDyess is not ready after undergoing more knee surgery. Still undersized in the middle with Kurt Thomas at center.
Miami Heat
Tried to sign restricted free agent Elton Brand, only to have the Clippers match the offer sheet. Weren't willing to meet Gilbert Arenas' asking price, thus are still sitting on $11 million in salary cap space. Could use some of it on an offer to Clippers restricted free agent Lamar Odom.
CENTRAL DIVISION
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Detroit Pistons
Hired Larry Brown as coach, signed guard Richard Hamilton to a long-term extension, drafted 18-year-old Darko Milicic and signed free agent center Elden Campbell. Despite back-to-back 50-win seasons under Rick Carlisle, owner Bill Davidson replaced him. Milicic has not yet reached a buyout agreement with his former team in Europe.
Indiana Pacers
Hired Larry Bird as team president, re-signed Jermaine O'Neal and acquired Scott Pollard in the sign-and-trade deal that sent Brad Miller to Sacramento. Still trying to re-sign free agent Reggie Miller, but the Pacers do not want to go over the expected luxury tax threshold, which the players' union believes will be $57 million.
New Orleans Hornets
Brought in a coach — Tim Floyd — with the worst career winning percentage of anyone in NBA history. Re-signed P.J. Brown and added Darrell Armstrong, but otherwise have stayed quiet. Reports out of Los Angeles said Baron Davis appeared to be in good shape at Magic Johnson's charity game.
Milwaukee Bucks
Got rid of their coach, George Karl, and their general manager, Ernie Grunfeld, while also losing Gary Payton to the Lakers through free agency. Also dealt Sam Cassell to Minnesota for Joe Smith, clearing out the last vestige of the Big Three that took the Bucks to the conference finals three years ago.
Atlanta Hawks
Traded their leading scorer, Glenn Robinson, for the rights to injured guard Terrell Brandon and his $11-plus million salary, which will come off the cap in February. In the process of being sold to Dallas car dealer David McDavid. Still uncertain of whether restricted free agent Jason Terry will get an offer sheet from Utah.
Chicago Bulls
Had the worst misfortune of any team when guard Jay Williams severely injured his leg and hip in a motorcycle crash, forcing them to draft Kirk Hinrich of Kansas as insurance. Brought back Scottie Pippen to provide veteran leadership to core of talented youngsters.
Toronto Raptors
Replaced Lenny Wilkens with former Pistons and Knicks assistant Kevin O'Neill, and signed three lesser-tier free agents — Jerome Moiso, Milt Palacio and Mengke Bateer. Biggest offseason acquisition was forward Chris Bosh of Georgia Tech.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Never has a last-place team so looked forward to a new beginning. The Cavs won the draft lottery and chose LeBron James, earning themselves a ticket to 13 national television appearances and a likely two-fold increase — if not more — in tickets sold.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
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MIDWEST DIVISION
San Antonio Spurs
On paper, the defending NBA champions appear to have upgraded their roster with the additions of Rasho Nesterovic, Ron Mercer, Hedo Turkoglu, Robert Horry and Anthony Carter. If coach Gregg Popovich and guard Tony Parker can make up over the courting of Jason Kidd, they should be favored to repeat.
Dallas Mavericks
While all the other top teams in the West were improving, Dallas got left out. The Mavs tried to get Alonzo Mourning and believed they had a deal, only to have Mourning change his mind. Still trying to acquire some size and toughness.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Many are already crediting them with the best set of offseason moves, acquiring Latrell Sprewell in a trade with New York and Sam Cassell in a deal with Milwaukee and signing free agents Michael Olowokandi, Fred Hoiberg and Mark Madsen.
Utah Jazz
Still have $15 million in salary cap room, but haven't found anyone — except for Corey Maggette, whose offer was matched by the Clippers — to take it. Have made playoffs for 20 consecutive seasons — a streak that looks to be seriously imperiled in the first year of the post-Stockton and Malone era.
Houston Rockets
Showed the door to Rudy Tomjanovich and brought in Jeff Van Gundy in an effort to move this talent-laden team into playoff contention as they move into their new arena. Signed free agent shooting guard Eric Piatkowski and are deciding whether to match an offer sheet to James Posey. Won't have Yao Ming at the start of camp because of national team commitments in China.
Memphis Grizzlies
Jerry West tried all sorts of ways to acquire a center, but to no avail. Only offseason acquisitions (not including the signing of James Posey to an offer sheet, which is pending) were rookies Troy Bell, Dahntay Jones and Theron Smith.
Denver Nuggets
Never had a legitimate shot at Jason Kidd or Jermaine O'Neal with all their cap money ($18 million), but still managed to add point guard Andre Miller to fill their most glaring void. Rookie Carmelo Anthony and second-year center Nene Hilario are a pair of tremendous building blocks.
PACIFIC DIVISION
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Sacramento Kings
Stumbled into the Brad Miller deal after planning to have a quiet offseason, giving up two bench players off a deep roster for an All-Star center (albeit an Eastern Conference one) who will eventually take over for Vlade Divac. Remaining business includes deciding whether to keep restricted free agent Jim Jackson.
Los Angeles Lakers
It began as such a promising offseason with the signings of Karl Malone and Gary Payton, but the Kobe Bryant sexual assault case has put everything on hold indefinitely. The Lakers still have a lack of depth at all positions except for point guard.
Portland Trail Blazers
Lost their best playmaker, Scottie Pippen, as a free agent, and endured yet another arrest as guard Damon Stoudamire was caught trying to take a bag of marijuana wrapped in tin foil through an airport medal detector. Will be without a true center unless Arvydas Sabonis decides to return.
Phoenix Suns
Got a player who might be the sleeper of the draft in Zarko Cabarkapa, a 6-foot-11 shooter from Serbia and Montenegro. After throwing a scare into the Spurs in the first round of the playoffs, they return intact. Shawn Marion scored 63 points last Friday at Vince Carter's charity game.
Seattle SuperSonics
Brought some second-guessing upon themselves by choosing Luke Ridnour over Reese Gaines when selecting a point guard in the draft. Also added rookie Nick Collison, a member of the U.S. Olympic qualifying team, and veteran playmaker Antonio Daniels. Predrag Drobnjak remains unsigned as a restricted free agent.
Golden State Warriors
Lost their starting point guard, Gilbert Arenas, and his backup, Earl Boykins, bringing in Speedy Claxton as the replacement — which is hard to see as a talent upgrade for the surprise team in the West last season.
Los Angeles Clippers
Matched offer sheets to Elton Brand and Corey Maggette but lost Michael Olowokandi and Andre Miller as free agents. Uncertain what will happen with restricted free agent Lamar Odom, who could get an offer sheet from the Miami Heat. Added a veteran coach in Mike Dunleavy.
http://famulus.msnbc.com/famulusspt/apmegasports08-08-101805.asp?spt=nba
New Jersey Nets
Retained free agent Jason Kidd and added center Alonzo Mourning, bolstering the team that represented the East in the NBA Finals for the past two seasons.
Did not add a shooter with their $1.5 million exception, instead deciding to retain Lucious Harris. Dealt a pure shooter, Creighton rookie Kyle Korver, to Philadelphia for $125,000.
Philadelphia 76ers
Made a clean break with Larry Brown, who left to coach the Detroit Pistons. Dealt Keith Van Horn to New York in a four-team trade that brought in another 20-point scorer, Glenn Robinson, and a rebounder, Marc Jackson. Re-signed starting center Derrick Coleman, but size remains an issue.
Boston Celtics
Brought in Danny Ainge as director of basketball operations, re-signed forward Walter McCarty, acquired forward Jumaine Jones from Cleveland, drafted point guard Marcus Banks. Plenty of Antoine Walker trade rumors have been out there all summer, and the Celtics still have not gotten big enough along the front line.
Orlando Magic
Signed free agent forward Juwan Howard and guard Tyronn Lue, unveiled new uniform and logo. Always trying to get bigger at center, but probably will stand pat and see how rookies Reece Gaines, Keith Bogans and Zaza Pachulia work out.
Washington Wizards
After showing Michael Jordan the door, extended the contract of Jerry Stackhouse, hired coach Eddie Jordan and general manager Ernie Grunfeld, and signed free agent guard Gilbert Arenas. Roster appears set, with nine of 12 players younger than 25, although Grunfeld has never been shy about shaking things up with trades.
New York Knicks
Acquired Van Horn for Latrell Sprewell, getting younger and taller but losing a tough defender. Drafted power forward Michael Sweetney, who could be a contributor if Antonio McDyess is not ready after undergoing more knee surgery. Still undersized in the middle with Kurt Thomas at center.
Miami Heat
Tried to sign restricted free agent Elton Brand, only to have the Clippers match the offer sheet. Weren't willing to meet Gilbert Arenas' asking price, thus are still sitting on $11 million in salary cap space. Could use some of it on an offer to Clippers restricted free agent Lamar Odom.
CENTRAL DIVISION
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Detroit Pistons
Hired Larry Brown as coach, signed guard Richard Hamilton to a long-term extension, drafted 18-year-old Darko Milicic and signed free agent center Elden Campbell. Despite back-to-back 50-win seasons under Rick Carlisle, owner Bill Davidson replaced him. Milicic has not yet reached a buyout agreement with his former team in Europe.
Indiana Pacers
Hired Larry Bird as team president, re-signed Jermaine O'Neal and acquired Scott Pollard in the sign-and-trade deal that sent Brad Miller to Sacramento. Still trying to re-sign free agent Reggie Miller, but the Pacers do not want to go over the expected luxury tax threshold, which the players' union believes will be $57 million.
New Orleans Hornets
Brought in a coach — Tim Floyd — with the worst career winning percentage of anyone in NBA history. Re-signed P.J. Brown and added Darrell Armstrong, but otherwise have stayed quiet. Reports out of Los Angeles said Baron Davis appeared to be in good shape at Magic Johnson's charity game.
Milwaukee Bucks
Got rid of their coach, George Karl, and their general manager, Ernie Grunfeld, while also losing Gary Payton to the Lakers through free agency. Also dealt Sam Cassell to Minnesota for Joe Smith, clearing out the last vestige of the Big Three that took the Bucks to the conference finals three years ago.
Atlanta Hawks
Traded their leading scorer, Glenn Robinson, for the rights to injured guard Terrell Brandon and his $11-plus million salary, which will come off the cap in February. In the process of being sold to Dallas car dealer David McDavid. Still uncertain of whether restricted free agent Jason Terry will get an offer sheet from Utah.
Chicago Bulls
Had the worst misfortune of any team when guard Jay Williams severely injured his leg and hip in a motorcycle crash, forcing them to draft Kirk Hinrich of Kansas as insurance. Brought back Scottie Pippen to provide veteran leadership to core of talented youngsters.
Toronto Raptors
Replaced Lenny Wilkens with former Pistons and Knicks assistant Kevin O'Neill, and signed three lesser-tier free agents — Jerome Moiso, Milt Palacio and Mengke Bateer. Biggest offseason acquisition was forward Chris Bosh of Georgia Tech.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Never has a last-place team so looked forward to a new beginning. The Cavs won the draft lottery and chose LeBron James, earning themselves a ticket to 13 national television appearances and a likely two-fold increase — if not more — in tickets sold.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
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MIDWEST DIVISION
San Antonio Spurs
On paper, the defending NBA champions appear to have upgraded their roster with the additions of Rasho Nesterovic, Ron Mercer, Hedo Turkoglu, Robert Horry and Anthony Carter. If coach Gregg Popovich and guard Tony Parker can make up over the courting of Jason Kidd, they should be favored to repeat.
Dallas Mavericks
While all the other top teams in the West were improving, Dallas got left out. The Mavs tried to get Alonzo Mourning and believed they had a deal, only to have Mourning change his mind. Still trying to acquire some size and toughness.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Many are already crediting them with the best set of offseason moves, acquiring Latrell Sprewell in a trade with New York and Sam Cassell in a deal with Milwaukee and signing free agents Michael Olowokandi, Fred Hoiberg and Mark Madsen.
Utah Jazz
Still have $15 million in salary cap room, but haven't found anyone — except for Corey Maggette, whose offer was matched by the Clippers — to take it. Have made playoffs for 20 consecutive seasons — a streak that looks to be seriously imperiled in the first year of the post-Stockton and Malone era.
Houston Rockets
Showed the door to Rudy Tomjanovich and brought in Jeff Van Gundy in an effort to move this talent-laden team into playoff contention as they move into their new arena. Signed free agent shooting guard Eric Piatkowski and are deciding whether to match an offer sheet to James Posey. Won't have Yao Ming at the start of camp because of national team commitments in China.
Memphis Grizzlies
Jerry West tried all sorts of ways to acquire a center, but to no avail. Only offseason acquisitions (not including the signing of James Posey to an offer sheet, which is pending) were rookies Troy Bell, Dahntay Jones and Theron Smith.
Denver Nuggets
Never had a legitimate shot at Jason Kidd or Jermaine O'Neal with all their cap money ($18 million), but still managed to add point guard Andre Miller to fill their most glaring void. Rookie Carmelo Anthony and second-year center Nene Hilario are a pair of tremendous building blocks.
PACIFIC DIVISION
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Sacramento Kings
Stumbled into the Brad Miller deal after planning to have a quiet offseason, giving up two bench players off a deep roster for an All-Star center (albeit an Eastern Conference one) who will eventually take over for Vlade Divac. Remaining business includes deciding whether to keep restricted free agent Jim Jackson.
Los Angeles Lakers
It began as such a promising offseason with the signings of Karl Malone and Gary Payton, but the Kobe Bryant sexual assault case has put everything on hold indefinitely. The Lakers still have a lack of depth at all positions except for point guard.
Portland Trail Blazers
Lost their best playmaker, Scottie Pippen, as a free agent, and endured yet another arrest as guard Damon Stoudamire was caught trying to take a bag of marijuana wrapped in tin foil through an airport medal detector. Will be without a true center unless Arvydas Sabonis decides to return.
Phoenix Suns
Got a player who might be the sleeper of the draft in Zarko Cabarkapa, a 6-foot-11 shooter from Serbia and Montenegro. After throwing a scare into the Spurs in the first round of the playoffs, they return intact. Shawn Marion scored 63 points last Friday at Vince Carter's charity game.
Seattle SuperSonics
Brought some second-guessing upon themselves by choosing Luke Ridnour over Reese Gaines when selecting a point guard in the draft. Also added rookie Nick Collison, a member of the U.S. Olympic qualifying team, and veteran playmaker Antonio Daniels. Predrag Drobnjak remains unsigned as a restricted free agent.
Golden State Warriors
Lost their starting point guard, Gilbert Arenas, and his backup, Earl Boykins, bringing in Speedy Claxton as the replacement — which is hard to see as a talent upgrade for the surprise team in the West last season.
Los Angeles Clippers
Matched offer sheets to Elton Brand and Corey Maggette but lost Michael Olowokandi and Andre Miller as free agents. Uncertain what will happen with restricted free agent Lamar Odom, who could get an offer sheet from the Miami Heat. Added a veteran coach in Mike Dunleavy.
http://famulus.msnbc.com/famulusspt/apmegasports08-08-101805.asp?spt=nba
