San Antonio Spurs (B)
Major Acquisitions: Terry Porter, Samaki Walker, Felton Spencer
Major Losses: Sean Elliott, Will Perdue
Free Agents Kept: Jaren Jackson, Malik Rose
Draft Help: None
Porter is a big improvement at the backup point over Steve Kerr and inconsistent Antonio Daniels. Walker should make up for the loss of Perdue. But the Spurs will dearly miss Elliott's shooting and leadership. Gregg Popovich is serious about playing Tim Duncan some at the three.
Big question: Will the championship hangover last long enough for voters to approve stadium deal on referendum later this year?

Atlanta Hawks (B)
Major Acquisitions: Isaiah Rider, Lorenzen Wright, Bimbo Coles
Major Losses: Steve Smith, Mookie Blaylock, Grant Long
Free Agents Kept: Chris Crawford, Anthony Johnson
Draft Help: Jason Terry, Dion Glover
The Hawks wanted to shake things up, but the jury's out on whether this chemistry will work. Wright will step in at the four spot, and the Hawks hope Crawford and second-year man Roshawn McLeod can answer their long-term small forward problems. A new arena may be enough to arouse the interest of the most moribund fan base in the league.
Big question: Can Alan Henderson last through a full season?

Charlotte Hornets (B)
Major Acquisitions: None
Major Losses: Chucky Brown
Free Agents Kept: None
Draft Help: Baron Davis
So why does Charlotte get a B? Davis is that good; he'll be pushing David Wesley for minutes before the all-star break. The Bugs also get Anthony Mason back after he missed all of last season with a torn biceps. The nucleus of Eddie Jones, Elden Campbell, Bobby Phills, Wesley and second-year men Ricky Davis and Brad Miller is in place.
Big question: How long before Paul Silas and Derrick Coleman bump heads?

Houston Rockets (B)
Major Acquisitions: Steve Francis, Tony Massenberg Major Losses: Michael Dickerson, Othella Harrington, Brent Price, Antoine Carr
Free Agents Kept: Charles Barkley
Draft Help: Kenny Thomas
The grade goes higher if the Rockets can land Shandon Anderson. Francis is a big-time talent who'll get every chance to run the point. But the obvious question is whether Hakeem Olajuwon will get off the left block from time to time and let Francis operate, or if Scottie Pippen will be happy with yet another person hogging the ball.
Big question: If Rockets can't get Anderson, are they good enough at the two?

Minnesota Timberwolves (B)
Major Acquistions: None
Major Losses: Dennis Scott
Free Agents Kept: Terrell Brandon, Joe Smith, Tom Hammonds
Draft Help: Wally Szczerbiak, William Avery
Kevin McHale gets props for keeping Brandon in the fold; Kevin Garnett gets props for helping convince buddy Smith to take short money. Wally World is talented, but if the Olympic qualifying tournament was any indication, he's going to have a tough time getting off his shot in the pros. Don't forget big center Radislav Nesterovic, who came over at the end of last season.
Big question: Can Anthony Peeler regain his 1998 playoffs form?

Cleveland Cavaliers (B)
Major Acquisitions: Lamond Murray, Mark Bryant
Major Losses: Derek Anderson, Johnny Newman
Free Agents Kept: Cedric Henderson
Draft Help: Andre Miller, Trajan Langdon
First-year coach Randy Wittman has several good pieces. Murray has to provide scoring and shooting at the three, and Wittman has to finesse playing time between Miller and Brevin Knight, who can't get a contract extension worked out. Team also has to keep an eye on Shawn Kemp, who wanted some veterans added to the mix.
Big question: Can Zydrunas Ilguaskas recover from another foot injury?

Utah Jazz (B-)
Major Acquisitions: Olden Polynice
Major Losses: Greg Foster, Todd Fuller
Free Agents Kept: Karl Malone, John Stockton (pending), Jeff Hornacek (pending)
Draft Help: Scott Padgett
The Jazz could have blown things up and started over, but they decided to keep their core group, whose age is now measured in tree rings. Utah has to get young in a hurry. Shandon Anderson is determined to leave, and Howard Eisley (one year left on his contract) is likely to follow him out the door. When did Polynice become Nate Thurmond?
Big question: How much does Hornacek have left?

Washington Wizards (B-)
Major Acquisitions: Ike Austin
Major Losses: Otis Thorpe, Ben Wallace, Tim Legler
Free Agents Kept: Mitch Richmond
Draft Help: Richard Hamilton
The Wiz have big old hole at the four spot; Juwan Howard's penciled in to play the three this year. They tried to get Samaki Walker and Grant Long, without success. Keeping Richmond made more sense than any of the unsavory sign-and-trade deals out there and allows Washington to bring rookie Hamilton along slowly.
Big question: Austin's in shape now; will he be in shape in November?

Los Angeles Clippers (B-)
Major Acquisitions: Derek Anderson, Johnny Newman
Major Losses: Lamond Murray, Darrick Martin
Free Agents Kept: Eric Piatkowski, Tyrone Nesby
Draft Help: Lamar Odom
Typical Clippers: They do a nice job salvaging a first for Lorenzen Wright and re-sign role players Piatkowski and Nesby, then fumble around on Maurice Taylor, allowing Taylor's agent, David Falk, to get an Italian loafer in the door and threaten to move Taylor if he doesn't get a contract extension. Odom, Taylor and Michael Olowokandi are as good a young frontcourt as there is the league, but if they don't have a point guard who can get them the ball, what does it matter?
Big question: Is Norm Nixon still in shape?

Milwaukee Bucks (B-)
Major Acquisitions: Danny Manning, J.R. Reid, Dale Ellis
Major Losses: Michael Curry, Dell Curry, Armen Gilliam, Chris Gatling
Free Agents Kept: None
Draft Help: None
Losing the Currys sealed ex-GM Bob Weinhauer's fate. New boss Ernie Grunfeld came in and immediately shook things up. Reid was a terrific pickup, adding bulk and toughness up front. Ellis is still a premier three-point shooter and Manning's intangibles are numerous. But Glenn Robinson would like a contract extension.
Big question: Does a healthy Sam Cassell, Ray Allen or Robinson take the big shot down the stretch?

Miami Heat (C)
Major Acquisitions: Otis Thorpe
Major Losses: Terry Porter
Free Agents Kept: Dan Majerle
Draft Help: Tim James
The Hots again were unable to add to Tim Hardaway-Alonzo Mourning nucleus. They could have had Lamar Odom or Mitch Richmond if they'd been willing to part with P.J. Brown. Thorpe will help; he can still score and board. But losing Porter was a killer; he was their most consistent backcourt player in crunch time.
Big question: Has Hardaway had enough of Riles?

Chicago Bulls (C)
Major Acquisitions: Hersey Hawkins, B.J. Armstrong, Will Perdue
Major Losses: Brent Barry, Bill Wennington
Free Agents Kept: None
Draft Help: Elton Brand, Ron Artest, Lari Ketner
I guess they have to pay somebody. But I don't think these were the big offseason moves the suite holders at the United Center had in mind. The Bulls continue to save their cap money for a rainy day, but adding Tim Duncan and Grant Hill next summer is a figment of some writer's imagination. Brand and Artest are a good foundation to build on, but the future's a long way away.
Big question: How long will Tim Floyd stick with the triangle before rebelling?

Philadelphia 76ers (C)
Major Acquisitions: Billy Owens
Major Losses: Harvey Grant
Free Agents Kept: Eric Snow, George Lynch
Draft Help: Jumaine Jones, Todd MacCullough
The Sixers won last season with defensive sacrifice and clearing out to let Allen Iverson do his thing. So why bring in Owens -- who can handle the ball, granted, but, um, doesn't play a lick of defense? Keeping Snow was very important, but Philly failed to add the pure stroker or inside scorer it needed to complement Iverson' sorties to the basket.
Big question: Can Larry Brown and Iverson make it through a full season without killing each other?

Detroit Pistons (C)
Major Acquisitions: Michael Curry
Major Losses: Joe Dumars
Free Agents Kept: Jud Buechler, Don Reid
Draft Help: Melvin Levett
Curry's a solid pro who'll add to the Pistons' rotation. Buechler turned down a starting spot in San Antonio for bigger bucks in Motown. But the Pistons didn't address their aching perimeter shooting need, and they've been unsuccessful shopping Bison Dele, their denials to the contrary.
Big question: Will either Lindsey Hunter or Jerry Stackhouse approach 50 percent from the floor this season?

Vancouver Grizzlies (C)
Major Acquisitions: Michael Dickerson, Othella Harrington, Grant Long, Brent Price, Antoine Carr, Dennis Scott
Major Losses: Steve Francis
Free Agents Kept: None
Draft Help: Obinna Ekezie
The Grizzlies needed to improve their depth, and they did. But at what price? What's to keep Shareef Abdur-Rahim or Mike Bibby from demanding to leave? Still, Dickerson will step right in and flourish next to ex-roomie Bibby in the backcourt, and Harrington put up solid numbers when starting for an injured Charles Barkley last season.
Big question: Does Big Country Reeves finally get it?

Los Angeles Lakers (C)
Major Acquisitions: A.C. Green
Major Losses: Sean Rooks
Free Agents Kept: Rick Fox, Derek Fisher
Draft Help: Devean George, John Celestand
Not exactly the offseason pickups the Lakers had in mind. They couldn't get the power forward (Charles Oakley) they wanted, and Phil Jackson and Jerry West seem to have some differences about who should surround Shaq and Kobe. The Lakers swear they're not going to move Fisher, but Jackson has traditionally gone with big guards.
Big question: Does anybody besides Phil want Pippen?

Denver Nuggets (C)
Major Acquisitions: Ron Mercer, George McCloud
Major Losses: Danny Fortson
Free Agents Kept: Nick Van Exel
Draft Help: James Posey
The biggest pickup will be return of Raef LaFrentz from a knee injury that torpedoed his rookie season. They paid through the nose for Van Exel, but had to stop a revolving door of personnel. Given that Mercer's looking for the max, it's likely he's a one-year rental. Posey has been terrific in the summer leagues and could be one of the sleepers of the draft.
Big question: Any chance Antonio McDyess is rethinking leaving Phoenix?

New York Knicks (C)
Major Acquisitions: John Wallace
Major Losses: None
Free Agents Kept: David Wingate
Draft Help: Frederick Weis
The Knicks basically kept the core of the team that went to Finals intact. With Patrick Ewing's Achilles, that may not have been the way to go. Wallace adds frontcourt depth, but the Knicks really wanted to bring Oakley back. New GM Scott Layden's first call is how much to give Latrell Sprewell on a contract extension.
Big question: How will Jeff Van Gundy finesse minutes between Sprewell, Larry Johnson and Marcus Camby?

Seattle SuperSonics (C-)
Major Acquisitions: Horace Grant, Brent Barry, Vernon Maxwell
Major Losses: Corey Maggette, Dale Ellis, Hersey Hawkins, Detlef Schrempf
Free Agents Kept: Vin Baker
Draft Help: None
Gary Payton demanded change. This couldn't have been what he was talking about. There's not a proven center on the roster, and no matter what the Sonics say, Ho Grant can't play it. Barry can score, and will score, but if you thought Hawkins lost a defensive step last year, wait'll you get a load of Brent. Is Baker ready to play after wasting last season? He says he is.
Big question: How long before a frustrated Payton demands a trade to the Knicks?

Dallas Mavericks (C-)
Major Acquisitions: Sean Rooks
Major Losses: A.C. Green
Free Agents Kept: Gary Trent, Cedric Ceballos
Draft Help: Leon Smith
The Mavs kept Trent in the fold with the promise of big bucks to come. But if there's a plan here, I don't see it. Rookie Smith is enamoring himself to everybody with his immaturity. You think Donn Nelson really wants to take this mess over when Nellie calls it quits?
Big question: Did quarterbacking his native Canada to an Olympic berth restore Steve Nash's confidence after a nightmarish NBA season?

Golden State Warriors (C-)
Major Acquisitions: Mookie Blaylock
Major Losses: Bimbo Coles, Tony Delk, Felton Spencer
Free Agents Kept: Erick Dampier, Terry Cummings
Draft Help: Vonteego Cummings
The Warriors need to win now to entice people to buy in New Arena, so they brought Blaylock in from Atlanta instead of drafting Jason Terry or William Avery. Blaylock and John Starks could form a strong defensive backcourt; alas, one of them will have to shoot at the other end. Paying $6.5 million a year to Dampier might seem crazy, but consider the alternatives out there at center. No takers for Donyell Marshall.
Big question: Can Antawn Jamison take a step up in his second season?

Boston Celtics (C-)
Major Acquisitions: Danny Fortson, Calbert Cheaney, Eric Williams
Major Losses: Ron Mercer
Free Agents Kept: Marlon Garnett
Draft Help: None
Fortson is a start up front, but he can't play power forward and center. Vitaly Potapenko hasn't endeared himself by showing up for the summer leagues overweight. Cheaney was about to be dealt by Washington to Miami for Clarence Weatherspoon when he nixed the deal, taking less money to play for a worse team. Go figure.
Big question: Is it starting to dawn on owner Paul Gaston that this Pitino Thing isn't quite working out the way it was supposed to?

New Jersey Nets (D)
Major Acquisitions: None
Major Losses: None
Free Agents Kept: Scott Burrell, Jamie Feick, Gheorge Muresan
Draft Help: Evan Eschmayer
With the New Jersey Falks (Stephon Marbury, Kerry Kittles, Keith Van Horn) all signed up for long-term deals, the Nets did little this summer other than give Feick a lot of money. With Jayson Williams' return from a broken leg problematic, they needed to do more. Eschmayer got schooled in the summer leagues; it's just as well he underwent surgery and will be out until January.
Big question: Can coach Don Casey be comfortable working on what is, in essence, a one-year contract?

Orlando Magic (D)
Major Acquisitions: Corey Maggette, Tarik Abdul-Wahid, Pat Garrity, Armen Gilliam, Chris Gatling, Ben Wallace, Rodrick Rhodes
Major Losses: Penny Hardaway, Nick Anderson, Horace Grant, Ike Austin
Free Agents Kept: Bo Outlaw
Draft Help: Laron Profit, Louis Bullock
Oh, where to begin? At least the Magic didn't blow up their team in a half-baked way. It's nuked. Orlando has 10 first-round picks over the next five years and at least $12 million in cap room next summer, but the Magic will find that with the new collective bargaining agreement, cap room isn't worth what it used to be. They will compete, and lose, and lose, and lose.
Big question: Can first-year coach Doc Rivers possibly be happy?

Indiana Pacers (Inc.)
Major Acquisitions: Jonathan Bender
Major Losses: Antonio Davis
Free Agents Kept: None
Draft Help: Jeff Foster

Toronto Raptors (Inc.)
Major Acquisitions: Antonio Davis, Dell Curry
Major Losses: Jonathan Bender
Free Agents Kept: Charles Oakley
Draft Help: Alexsandr Radojevic
The Pacers and Raptors get incompletes because they're both likely to do something major before the start of training camp. Indiana is desperately seeking Shandon Anderson in a sign-and-trade deal; the Raptors desire a point guard and are using Doug Christie as bait. Getting Davis will be a boon for Toronto's frontcourt, but Tracy McGrady's status past this season is up in the air. The Pacers plan one more shot with their core group, then are likely to clean house. If this is Larry Bird's last year coaching, the Pacers need to make a big splash next summer to keep 'em shelling out the dough in the new Conseco Field House.