Insider's NBA Offseason Buzz

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The summer is winding down, but that just means we're gearing up for the NBA season to start. Insider is breaking down every team to examine key players trending up and tripping up according to John Hollinger's PER projections for the 2009-10 season. NBA Insider Ric Bucher chimes in with a player you'll want to watch closely once the new campaign tips off.

Starting with the NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers in the Pacific Division, we'll add a new team every day. Check back often; we're just getting warmed up.

PACIFIC DIVISION

Team	Info	Summer Sizzle
L.A. Lakers	• Roster • Stats • Team page	The Lakers need some younger players to step up and help Kobe Bryant, who appears headed for a drop in production. Insider »
Phoenix	• Roster • Stats • Team page	The Suns can't contend unless Grant Hill defies his age and Jason Richardson stops choking under pressure. Insider »
Golden State	• Roster • Stats • Team page	The Warriors need to recover from last season's chemistry issues to allow rising stars like Monta Ellis and Anthony Randolph to flourish. Insider »
Sacramento	• Roster • Stats • Team page	The Kings are looking for a new direction, and that starts with transitioning from a team built around Kevin Martin to one where Tyreke Evans is the franchise player. Insider »
L.A. Clippers	• Roster • Stats • Team page	Sure, Blake Griffin's in town and Zach Randolph got the boot, but the Clippers will go only as far as Baron Davis can take them, which means he needs to be on the same page as his coach. Insider »

NORTHWEST DIVISION

Team	Info	Summer Sizzle
Minnesota	• Roster • Stats • Team page	The Timberwolves' climb back to respectability will depend greatly on whether Al Jefferson can become a franchise player and how Kevin Love develops next to him. Insider »
Oklahoma City	• Roster • Stats • Team page	With Kevin Durant on the verge of stardom, the Thunder have a lot to look forward to in 2010. Now they just have to answer questions about the rest of their young talent. Insider »
Denver	• Roster • Stats • Team page	After a trip to the Western Conference finals, expectations are higher than ever in Denver. But can J.R. Smith rise up enough to help an aging Chauncey Billups? Insider »
Portland	• Roster • Stats • Team page	Greg Oden is poised to improve, but just how good can he be? And how will Andre Miller fit into the mix? Those questions will determine if Portland can contend. Insider »
Utah	• Roster • Stats • Team page	The Jazz want to trade Carlos Boozer, but is Paul Millsap capable of filling his shoes? And what about that lackluster defense? Insider »

SOUTHWEST DIVISION

Team	Info	Summer Sizzle
San Antonio	• Roster • Stats • Team page	The Spurs filled a major hole by signing Richard Jefferson, but an aging Tim Duncan and the lack of an athletic power forward could keep them from winning another title. Insider »
Dallas	• Roster • Stats • Team page	The addition of Shawn Marion showed that -- somewhat oddly -- the Mavs are building around the aging Jason Kidd. Do they have enough talent to make a deep run, though? Insider »
Memphis	• Roster • Stats • Team page	When building around a mix of talented young players, there's nothing like signing ... Zach Randolph. But could that odd move actually pay off? Insider »
New Orleans	• Roster • Stats • Team page	Emeka Okafor is the big new arrival here -- and he's the man to watch. But the unexpected stud of this team could be Mr. Julian Wright. Insider »
Houston	• Roster • Stats • Team page	Just because Yao Ming is hurt and Tracy McGrady is making his way back from major surgery doesn't mean the Rockets should give up. Need a reason for optimism? Try Luis Scola. Insider »

ATLANTIC DIVISION

Team	Info	Summer Sizzle
Boston	• Roster • Stats • Team page	Everyone's worried about Kevin Garnett's legs, but Rajon Rondo's mental state and Paul Pierce's hunger might be more important factors in another title run. Insider »
New York	• Roster • Stats • Team page	Knicks fans are tired of hearing it after each losing season, but with a new regime and young players who need time to develop, patience is the only answer. Because, given time, there are reasons for hope on the roster. Insider »
Philadelphia	• Roster • Stats • Team page	Lou Williams will have to replace Andre Miller at the point, but Thaddeus Young's improvement is even more crucial as the team charts a new course. Insider »
Toronto	• Roster • Stats • Team page	With Chris Bosh and Andrea Bargnani still improving, things are looking up in Toronto ... but only if Hedo Turkoglu delivers as expected after coming over from Orlando. Insider »
New Jersey	• Roster • Stats • Team page	After shipping out its last superstar this summer (Vince Carter), New Jersey looks to an intriguing mix of less-accomplished talent. Insider »

CENTRAL DIVISION

Team	Info	Summer Sizzle
Milwaukee	• Roster • Stats • Team page	The process of breaking in young Buck Brandon Jennings will bear close monitoring. Insider »
Cleveland	• Roster • Stats • Team page	Everyone is wondering if Shaq can slow his decline enough to help LeBron win a title. But an equally large concern is whether the King has enough help on the wing. Insider »
Chicago	• Roster • Stats • Team page	Even without Ben Gordon, the Bulls should be better, provided Luol Deng and Joakim Noah improve for the reasons our experts state. Insider »
Detroit	• Roster • Stats • Team page	The youth movement is under way in Detroit with Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva in and Allen Iverson and Rasheed Wallace out. And another declining star could be the next to go. Insider »
Indiana	• Roster • Stats • Team page	Instead of continuing to push the tempo, the Pacers got defensive this offseason. What does that mean for Brandon Rush's improvement and Troy Murphy's ability to match a career season? Insider »

SOUTHEAST DIVISION

Team	Info	Summer Sizzle
Orlando	• Roster • Stats • Team page	As the Magic continue to search for leadership in their quest for a title, could a point guard battle be brewing? Insider »
Charlotte	• Roster • Stats • Team page	Can the Bobcats, who were within striking distance of the playoffs last season, pull it together after a tragic offseason? Insider »
Atlanta	• Roster • Stats • Team page	The pieces of the puzzle are there in Atlanta. Can this team finally put them together and go deep in the playoffs? Insider »
Miami	• Roster • Stats • Team page	The Heat are dealing with plenty of questions beyond Dwyane Wade's potential 2010 destination, including how much Mario Chalmers can improve and whether Michael Beasley can turn his life around. Insider »
Washington	• Roster • Stats • Team page	Gilbert Arenas might finally be healthy, but his attitude remains an issue. The development of a young wing could help ease the burden on Washington's big three, though. Insider »

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