LeBron James

Another campaign: Joakim Noah, Pau Gasol, Jimmy Butler and the Bulls may have already lost the battle against Father Time. Photo: AP

Losses: Nil

Second round of playoffs, again.

Cleveland Cavaliers (53-29): Let's be honest, if they had been fit during the playoffs the Cavs would have won it all. Take nothing away from the Warriors, but Cleveland didn't have that bit of luck everyone needs to win it all. If Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love can return to full health and LeBron James can be LeBron James, things are looking rosy. They paid overs to re-sign Tristan Thompson, but what's $82 million when you have a happy LeBron? When you have support players like Timofey Mozgov, Iman Shumpert, Mo Williams, JR Smith and Australian Matthew Dellavedova, what's not to be happy about.

Gains: Sir'Dominic Pointer (rookie), Cedi Osman (rookie), Richard Jefferson (Mavericks), Sasha Kaun (CSKA Moscow), Mo Williams (Hornets)

Losses: Kendrick Perkins (Pelicans), Rakeem Christmas (Pacers), Brendan Haywood (waived), Mike Miller (Nuggets), Shawn Marion (retired)

They. Can. Win. It. All

Detroit Pistons (32-50): There have been changes made, but it is hard to mount an argument that things will be much better. Australian power forward Aron Baynes must still be smiling after getting $20 million for his three-year deal. For that amount of money, the Pistons will be expecting plenty of output from the man who won an NBA ring with the Spurs. As for the rest of the Pistons, Reggie Jackson will keep shooting, Brandon Jennings will keep shooting and Detroit will have another long season.

Gains: Stanley Johnson (rookie), Darrun Hillard (rookie), Aron Baynes (Spurs), Steve Blake (Trail Blazers), Danny Granger (Heat), Ersan Ilyasova (Bucks), Marcus Morris (Suns)

Losses: Caron Butler (Bucks), Greg Monroe (Bucks), Tayshaun Prince (Timberwolves), Shawne Williams (Bucks), Quincy Miller (Nets)

Their playoff drought is set to extend another year

Indiana Pacers (38-44): Is there a player in the Association people want to succeed more than Paul George. The signs have been good concerning his return from that horrific broken leg (don't worry, we're not linking to that here). If George can get back to what he does best and be a dominant player at both ends of the floor, the rebuilding of the Pacers can continue. With Roy Hibbert and David West both gone, Indiana are lacking in the big-man department but loaded in the back court. As a result, George may spend a lot of time as a stretch four.

Gains: Myles Turner (rookie), Joseph Young (rookie), Monta Ellis (Mavericks), Jordan Hill (Lakers), Glenn Robinson III (76ers), Toney Douglas (Pelicans), Chase Budinger (Timberwolves), Rakeem Christmas (Cavaliers)

Losses: Chris Copeland (Bucks), Luis Scola (Raptors), Donald Sloan (Nets), C.J. Watson (Magic), David West (Spurs), Roy Hibbert (Lakers)

Will make playoffs but lose in first round


Milwaukee Bucks (41-41): The Bucks should be good, maybe very good. The addition of Greg Monroe and what fans hope will be the continued development of both Jabbari Parker and Giannis Antetokounmpo provides a sense of optimism that is genuinely exciting. Just making the playoffs won't be good enough this year.

Gains: Rashad Vaughn (rookie), Chris Copeland (Pacers), Greg Monroe (Pistons), Caron Butler (Pistons), Greivis Vasquez (Raptors), Shawne Williams (Pistons)

Losses: Jared Dudley (Wizards), Ersan Ilyasova (Pistons), Zaza Pachulia (Mavericks)

There's no reason the Bucks can't make it to at least the second round of the playoffs