Dallas Mavericks
Last Season
41-41 (10th in West)
Additions
Jose Calderon, Monta Ellis, Samuel Dalembert, Wayne Ellington, Shane Larkin, DeJuan Blair, Devin Harris, Ricky Ledo, Gal Mekel
Departures
Darren Collison, Elton Brand, Roddy Beaubois, Chris Kaman, Mike James, O.J. Mayo, Jared Cunningham, Anthony Morrow
Possible starting five
g - Jose Calderon
g - Monta Ellis
f - Shawn Marion
f - Dirk Nowitzki
c - Samuel Dalembert
The burning questions
1. Is Dirk Nowitzki still good enough to carry this team?
2. How will Monta Ellis fit in at his new club?
3. Will veterans Shawn Marion and Vince Carter be able to contribute?
4. Can Samuel Dalembert stay healthy and fit in?
5. Are rookies Shane Larkin, Ricky Ledo and Gal Mekel capable of contributing?
Prediction
The Mavericks should be challenging for a playoff position this season, but they will need everything to go right to do so.
Dirk Nowitzki's fitness will remain crucial, while it will also be important to keep off-season signings Jose Calderon, Monta Ellis and Samuel Dalembert on court.
If things go to plan the Mavs can sneak into the playoffs, but a couple of injuries to the wrong people and they could slide once more.
Houston Rockets
Last Season
45-37 (eighth in West)
Additions
Dwight Howard, Omri Casspi, Ronnie Brewer, Marcus Camby, Reggie Williams, Isaiah Canaan, Robert Covington, B.J. Young, Jordan Henriquez
Departures
Thomas Robinson, Royce White, Carlos Delfino, James Anderson, Tim Ohlbrecht, Daequan Cook
Possible starting five
g - Jeremy Lin
g - James Harden
f - Chandler Parsons
f - Omer Asik
c - Dwight Howard
The burning questions
1. Will Dwight Howard be happy at his new club?
2. Can Howard and Omer Asik work well together?
3. Is James Harden capable of elevating his game even further?
4. Can Jeremy Lin contribute on a consistent basis?
5. Will Chandler Parsons continue to improve?
Prediction
The off-season acquisition of Dwight Howard means the Rockets need to be considered as Championship contenders this year.
They appear to have all the right pieces of the puzzle and can make a run at the title providing all their main players remain fit and interested.
How Howard goes after a disappointing stint in Los Angles will be imperative, while the Rockets will be hoping Jeremy Lin can return to the form that saw him burst on to the scene a couple of seasons ago.
But everything points to a good campaign for the Rockets and if James Harden can find his best form at the right time of the season then anything can happen.
New Orleans Pelicans
Last Season (as Hornets)
27-55 (14th in West)
Additions
Tyreke Evans, Jrue Holiday, Pierre Jackson, Anthony Morrow, Arinze Onuaku, Greg Stiemsma, Jeff Withey
Departures
Robin Lopez, Greivis Vasquez, Xavier Henry, Terrel Harris, Lou Amundson, Roger Mason, Jr.
Possible starting five
g - Jrue Holiday
g - Eric Gordon
f - Tyreke Evans
f - Anthony Davis
c - Greg Stiemsma
The burning questions
1. Will Anthony Davis show everyone what he is capable of?
2. How will former rookie of the year winner Tyreke Evans fit in?
3. Will Jrue Holiday provide good distribution at the point?
4. Can Eric Gordon stay fit?
5. Is Greg Stiemsma capable of helping out Davis inside the key?
Prediction
Expect the Pelicans to improve this season, but a playoff berth probably remains out of their reach.
A lot will depend on how much Anthony Davis can improve, while the off-season signings of Jrue Holiday and Tyreke Evans also strengthens their squad.
However, depth remains an issue and everything would need to go right for the Pelicans if they are to feature in the post-season.
Memphis Grizzlies
Last Season
56-26 (fifth in West)
Additions
Kosta Koufos, Mike Miller, Jamaal Franklin, Nick Calathes
Departures
Marreese Speights, Darrell Arthur, Keyon Dooling, Austin Daye, Tony Wroten
Possible starting five
g - Mike Conley
g - Tony Allen
f - Tayshaun Prince
f - Zach Randolph
c - Marc Gasol
The burning questions
1. Will new coach Dave Joerger be a good replacement for Lionel Hollins?
2. Is the back-court pairing of Mike Conley and Tony Allen one capable of getting the job done deep into the playoffs?
3. Will Quincy Pondexter be the player to provide the spark off the bench?
4. Can Kosta Koufos help out Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph in the front-court?
5. What will veteran Mike Miller bring to the team?
Prediction
The Grizzlies will be disappointed with how they fell out of the playoffs last season and will be keen to atone this time around.
They were swept by the Spurs in the Conference Finals, but have kept the majority of their roster intact as they try and go deeper into the post-season.
The addition of experienced duo Kosta Koufos and Mike Miller could also make a difference, while the Grizzlies will be hoping for another excellent campaign from the underrated Marc Gasol.
Gasol teams well with fellow big Zach Randolph in the front-court and the pair are capable of guiding the Grizzlies into the playoffs once more.
San Antonio Spurs
Last Season
58-24 (second in West)
Additions
Marco Belinelli, Jeff Pendergraph
Departures
Gary Neal, DeJuan Blair, Tracy McGrady
Possible starting five
g - Tony Parker
g - Danny Green
f - Kawhi Leonard
f - Tim Duncan
c - Tiago Splitter
The burning questions
1. Just how much longer can Tim Duncan keep playing?
2. Can Tony Parker continue to defy the critics and perform at the highest level?
3. What can we expect of Manu Ginobili after a disappointing post-season last campaign?
4. Will Marco Belinelli provide that missing link at the pointy end of the playoffs?
5. Is Kawhi Leonard capable of taking that next step and becoming a more consistent performer?
Prediction
Providing they remain relatively injury free, the Spurs are almost certain to be once again challenging for the Championship.
Last year they were a whisker away from claiming the title and they have had very few personnel changes over the off-season.
They have smartly added Marco Belinelli while Gary Neal appears to be the only departure of note, meaning the Spurs should be thereabouts at the business end of the season.
They may not need to improve too much either, providing Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Co can match their output from last season.
The Rockets will give them a run for their money for the division title, but you should never write off the Spurs.
Predicted division standings
1. San Antonio Spurs
2. Houston Rockets
3. Memphis Grizzlies
4. Dallas Mavericks
5. New Orleans Pelicans