1. Spurs
   Clippers
2. Jazz
   Lakers

In his first season with the Lakers, LeBron James missed the playoffs after suffering an injury that kept him out for part of the season. However, James has three years left on his contract, so he still has a chance to put the Lakers back into championship contention.

1. Bucks
   Heat
2. 76ers
   Raptors

It took Giannis Antetokounmpo a few seasons to settle into his role as an NBA star with the Milwaukee Bucks, but once he arrived, he was one of the best players in the game. In the 2018-19 season, Antetokounmpo averaged 27.7 points and 12.5 rebounds per game.

1. Trail Blazers
   Rockets
2. Mavericks
   Suns

James Harden has been one of the best regular-season players since he joined the Houston Rockets, but he has struggled in the playoffs. His performance in Game 7 of the 2018 Western Conference Finals left many to question if he can handle pressure in big moments.

1. Thunder
   Pelicans
2. Warriors
   Knicks

Steph Curry is a shooting machine who revolutionized the game with his three-point range while playing for the Golden State Warriors. Curry is a danger to hit a big shot anytime he crosses the half-court line, meaning defenses can't give him an inch of space.

1. Clippers
   Heat
2. Hawks
   Nets

Kawhi Leonard finished the 2019 NBA Playoffs by winning his second NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors. After winning the Finals MVP, he had several teams seeking his talents, but he settled on the Los Angeles Clippers.

1. Thunder
   Rockets
2. Heat
   Magic

Despite critics saying he's in decline, Russell Westbrook has been a triple-double machine the past few seasons. He could still work on his jump shot, particularly from three, but he'll have plenty of shooters around him after being traded to the Houston Rockets.

1. Celtics
   Cavaliers
2. Bulls
   Nets

Kyrie Irving couldn't make it work with the Boston Celtics, as he tried to be the leader of a young team. Now, he's moving to Brooklyn, where the lights are much brighter and the sportswriters are much less forgiving.

1. Rockets
   Heat
2. Thunder
   Knicks

The Oklahoma City Thunder hit the reset button after they were knocked out in the first round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs. Part of their offseason moves required that they take on the contract of Chris Paul, who's still good but not what he once was.

1. Pistons
   Heat
2. Kings
   Pacers

The Miami Heat haven't really been in contention for a title since LeBron James left in 2014. They also haven't had a player on their roster as good as Jimmy Butler. He's no LeBron, but Butler can be a good piece to build around.

1. Nets
   Kings
2. Wizards
   Warriors

Rather than sit out and watch his team lose the 2019 NBA Finals, Kevin Durant decided to make a comeback from a calf strain. The two-time Finals MVP ended up hurting himself even worse with an Achilles tear. Now, the Brooklyn Nets have to wait for him to recover before they get to see him on the court.

1. Hornets
   Grizzlies
2. 76ers
   Nuggets

The Philadelphia 76ers have a young group of stars, including Ben Simmons, to build a title-contending team after years of tanking to get high draft picks. If the "Process," as they called it, doesn't pay off, then fans might look back on those losing years as a waste.

1. Pelicans
   Mavericks
2. Celtics
   Warriors

Klay Thompson has already won three championships with the Golden State Warriors. Rather than trying to build a team elsewhere, he re-signed with the Warriors on a five-year contract worth $190 million.

1. Hornets
   Knicks
2. Pelicans
   Suns

After the departure of Anthony Davis, the New Orleans Pelicans lucked out in the NBA draft lottery by acquiring the number-one-overall pick. They used the pick to get the college phenom Zion Williamson to go along with their young core.

1. Spurs
   Magic
2. Bulls
   76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers were knocked out of the 2019 NBA Playoffs by the Toronto Raptors on a last-second shot in Game 7. After the game, Joel Embiid was visibly upset, a display of the passion he has for the sport.

1. Trail Blazers
   Heat
2. Wizards
   Kings

Damian Lillard has developed into a star over the years while playing for the Portland Trail Blazers, the team that drafted him. Currently, Lillard is one of the best big shot makers, possessing the ability to pull up from anywhere past half court.

1. Suns
   Nuggets
2. Mavericks
   Celtics

Nikola Jokic isn't the flashiest star in the NBA, but he makes the Denver Nuggets a formidable team. The big man always makes the right play, whether it's hitting an open three or setting up a teammate with an easy layup.

1. Celtics
   Pelicans
2. Hornets
   Pacers

Kemba Walker is one of the best ball handlers in the NBA, with a lethal crossover dribble that leaves defenders two steps behind him. He will start the 2019-20 season having to replace Kyrie Irving on the Boston Celtics, who might be the only player in the league with better handles.

1. Bulls
   Cavaliers
2. Magic
   Pistons

During his final few seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers, Blake Griffin transitioned from a power dunker into a jump shooter. Some have criticized this change in style, but he did average the most points of his career with the Detroit Pistons last season.

1. Grizzlies
   Spurs
2. Jazz
   Heat

The San Antonio Spurs needed a replacement for their all-time great player Tim Duncan, so they brought in LaMarcus Aldridge. He has similar skills to Duncan on offense but isn't quite the same defensive threat considering Duncan made 15 All-Defensive Teams during his career.

1. Raptors
   Wizards
2. Timberwolves
   Nets

The Minnesota Timberwolves got a new-age center when they drafted Karl-Anthony Towns who can both put the ball on the floor and shoot threes. However, Towns has yet to prove he has a complete game by putting in the work on defense.

1. Grizzlies
   Mavericks
2. Heat
   Wizards

The Washington Wizards thought they found the future of their franchise when they signed John Wall to a huge contract, but injuries have kept the point guard from living up to expectations. Luckily, Bradley Beal has come into his own, making two All-Star Games the past two seasons.

1. Trail Blazers
   Clippers
2. Pacers
   76ers

After requesting a trade from the Oklahoma City Thunder, Paul George has become a poster boy for player empowerment. The Los Angeles Clippers don't mind, however, as now they have a championship contending team.

1. Thunder
   Hornets
2. Lakers
   Rockets

The Los Angeles Lakers have a history of signing superstar caliber big men, including Shaquille O'Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Wilt Chamberlain. Anthony Davis has been added to that list — at least if he can live up to expectations.

1. Jazz
   Pistons
2. Celtics
   Kings

A two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Rudy Gobert makes the Utah Jazz one of the best defensive teams in the league. Add in his increased point total last season and the Jazz should have a chance at making a run at the NBA Finals.

1. Lakers
   Pelicans
2. Warriors
   Knicks

Draymond Green has been a central piece in the four title runs for the Golden State Warriors since 2015. The Warriors walked away with three of those titles before losing to the Toronto Raptors in 2019.

1. Pacers
   Suns
2. Pistons
   Magic

Victor Oladipo suffered a quad tear at the beginning of 2019 that forced him to miss the rest of the season. Even without Oladipo, the Indiana Pacers made it to the NBA Playoffs, so they should be back in contention after he recovers.

1. Hawks
   Jazz
2. Bulls
   Bucks

Donovan Mitchell improved during his sophomore season with the Utah Jazz in most categories. The shooting guard's point total, assists and rebounds all went up while he was also shooting better from the three-point line.

1. Spurs
   Hornets
2. Nets
   Trail Blazers

C.J. McCollum was a major reason the Portland Trail Blazers reached the Western Conference Finals in 2019. However, they were swept by the Golden State Warriors, who didn't even have their best player.

1. Pacers
   Bucks
2. Kings
   Nets

After making his first All-Star Game in 2019, Khris Middleton's production fell off in the NBA Playoffs. Despite that, the Milwaukee Bucks still signed Middleton to a five-year contract worth $178 million.

1. Bucks
   Pelicans
2. Pacers
   Wizards

After his rookie season where he was named the NBA Rookie of the Year, Malcolm Brogdon has spent much of the last two seasons injured. Instead of keeping him, the Milwaukee Bucks decided to complete a sign-and-trade with the Indiana Pacers for draft picks.

1. Celtics
   Hawks
2. Bulls
   76ers

Despite spending most of his career at center, Al Horford will probably play power forward for the Philadelphia 76ers, who already have a star center on their team. Considering Horford's versatility, the move shouldn't impact his production too much.

1. Celtics
   Knicks
2. Lakers
   Warriors

With the potential to be a superstar in the NBA, Jayson Tatum is the wildcard when it comes to the Boston Celtics winning their 18th NBA championship. Tatum leveled off a bit in year two but should get the ball more this coming season after the Celtics lost Kyrie Irving.

1. Kings
   Spurs
2. Warriors
   Thunder

The suits for the Golden State Warriors have made comments that suggest D'Angelo Russell will not be with the team longterm. They could use him as a trade asset down the line unless he fits in well with what they're doing on the court in terms of space and pace.

1. Warriors
   Grizzlies
2. Lakers
   Clippers

Andre Iguodala is a former Finals MVP with the Golden State Warriors when they won the title against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Iguodala helped the Warriors make a championship run for three more seasons before they traded him to the Memphis Grizzlies.

1. Magic
   Hawks
2. Timberwolves
   Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks, who are known for going after European players, made a trade for Luka Doncic shortly after he was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks. Doncic went on to be named the NBA Rookie of the Year.

1. Suns
   Raptors
2. Heat
   Grizzlies

Devin Booker has been one of the only bright spots on a Phoenix Suns team that hasn't made the NBA Playoffs since he's been there. In 2019, he scored over 50 points in consecutive games, becoming the youngest player ever to do it back to back.

1. Clippers
   Lakers
2. Pelicans
   Celtics

The Los Angeles Lakers decided to keep Kyle Kuzma in the 2019 offseason because he fits well beside their star player. The team will look to Kuzma to complete a big three they have assembled to compete for a championship.

1. Timberwolves
   Bulls
2. Jazz
   Cavaliers

After the departure of LeBron James, Kevin Love was the only star left on the Cleveland Cavaliers from their 2016 championship team. Rather than rebuild, the Cavaliers decided to give Love a massive contract, though injuries kept him off the court during most of the first year.

1. Jazz
   Grizzlies
2. Raptors
   Trial Blazers

After 12 seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies, Mike Conley was traded to the Utah Jazz, as the Grizzlies hope to rebuild their roster. The Utah Jazz, on the other hand, have assembled a team rich in defensive talent.

1. Bulls
   Heat
2. Raptors
   Knicks

After years of failed playoff runs, the Toronto Raptors finally overcame their Easter Conference competition, making it to the 2019 NBA Finals. Kyle Lowry was an important part of that run, averaging 14.6 points and 6.5 assists per game in the playoffs.