1. Oklahoma City Thunder

It will be pretty hard for a college head coach to mess this up.

2. Utah Jazz

Flying under the radar is exactly what they need to do.

3. Minnesota Timberwolves

Give them another year and they could be pushing the Thunder for the division title.

4. Portland Trail Blazers

A youth movement is taking place, but the pieces they added make sense.

5. Denver Nuggets

After a tumultuous season, Denver looks to rebound with a new coach.

 

Head Coach: Billy Donovan (University of Florida)

Key Position: Forwards

Key Rookies: G Cameron Payne

Key Acquisitions: C Enes Kanter (re-signed)

Starting Lineup: G Russell Westbrook, G Dion Waiters, F Kevin Durant, F Serge Ibaka, C Enes Kanter

 

Head Coach: Quin Snyder

Key Position: Guards

Key Rookies: F Trey Lyles

Key Acquisitions: None

Starting Lineup: G Trey Burke, G Alec Burks, F Gordon Hayward, F Derrick Favors, C Rudy Gobert

 

Head Coach: Sam Mitchell (Timberwolves assistant head coach – interim)

Key Position: Guards

Key Rookies: C Karl-Anthony Towns, G Tyus Jones

Key Acquisitions: G Tyus Jones (Cleveland Cavaliers), G Andre Miller (Washington Wizards), F Tayshaun Prince (Memphis Grizzlies)

Starting Lineup: G Ricky Rubio, G Zach LaVine, F Andrew Wiggins, F Kevin Garnett, C Gorgui Dieng

 

Head Coach: Terry Stotts

Key Position: Forwards

Key Rookies: None

Key Acquisitions: F Al-Farouq Aminu (Dallas Mavericks), F Ed Davis (Los Angeles Lakers), F Maurice Harkless (Orlando Magic), G Gerald Henderson (Charlotte Hornets), C Mason Plumlee (Brooklyn Nets), F Noah Vonleh (Charlotte Horntets)

Starting Lineup: G Damian Lillard, G C.J. McCollum, F Al-Farouq Aminu, F Ed Davis, C Meyers Leonard

 

Head Coach: Michael Malone (Sacramento Kings)

Key Position: All of them

Key Rookies: G Emmanuel Mudiay

Key Acquisitions: G Jameer Nelson (Dallas Mavericks), F Mike Miller (Cleveland Cavaliers)

Starting Lineup: G Jameer Nelson, G Wilson Chandler, F Danilo Gallinari, F Kenneth Faried, C Jusuf Nurkic