How should each NBA team approach trades, the draft and free agency as the 2021-22 season comes to a close?
We're breaking down the key priorities, questions and potential moves for each franchise. This includes projected salary-cap sheets, depth charts, roster restrictions, dates to watch, extension candidates and draft intel.
Some teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets have been eliminated from the playoffs but have the core talent in place to make a deeper run next season, and getting there is just a matter of making smaller moves to improve their depth.
But others such as the Sacramento Kings and Orlando Magic have a much longer way to go before they can be taken seriously as a postseason contender.
Then there's a long list of teams in the middle of the pack, including the Cleveland Cavaliers, Portland Trail Blazers and New York Knicks. Those teams probably won't find themselves contending for a championship next season, but could at least make a run at the play-in tournament with smart offseason moves.
Teams will continue to be added as they are eliminated from the postseason.
What are the key priorities and questions for each team?
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Golden State Warriors
• Extensions for Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole?
• Will luxury tax get too expensive?
Dallas Mavericks
• What to do about Jalen Brunson's free agency?
• How much can they rely on roster continuity?
What's next for the Mavericks?
Phoenix Suns
• What to do about Deandre Ayton's free agency?
• Will Devin Booker get a supermax extension?
Memphis Grizzlies
• Sign Ja Morant to a rookie max extension.
• Build the Grizzlies for sustainable success.
What's next for the Grizzlies?
Minnesota Timberwolves
• Sign Karl Anthony-Towns to a supermax extension.
• Find depth at small forward and power forward.
What's next for the Timberwolves?
Utah Jazz
• Make decisions on Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert's future with the team.
• Find depth at the point guard and center positions.
New Orleans Pelicans
• Sign Zion Williamson to a rookie max extension.
Denver Nuggets
• Get Jamal Murray healthy.
• Find depth at small forward and center.
LA Clippers
• Get Paul George and Kawhi Leonard healthy.
• Find a backup center.
• Re-sign Robert Covington.
San Antonio Spurs
• How can the team improve its rebounding?
• Consolidate its three first-round draft picks or move players on the current roster.
• Make a decision on Lonnie Walker's future with the team.
Los Angeles Lakers
• Restructure Russell Westbrook's contract or find a way to move him.
• Get Anthony Davis healthy.
• Find bench depth without much cap space or high draft picks.
Sacramento Kings
• Make a decision on Richaun Holmes' future with the team.
• Find backcourt depth, with an emphasis on shooters.
• Hire an experienced head coach.
Portland Trail Blazers
• Retain Jusuf Nurkic, Eric Bledsoe and Josh Hart.
• Invest in the development of Anfernee Simons and Nassir Little.
• Find frontcourt starters.
What's next for the Trail Blazers?
Oklahoma City Thunder
• Use cap space and draft picks to acquire a star via trade (such as Tobias Harris).
• Acquire veteran depth that doesn't impede the development of young players.
Houston Rockets
• Find starting and backup point guards.
• Acquire a defensive playmaker in the frontcourt.
• Should the team buyout the last year on John Wall's contract?
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Boston Celtics
• Extension for Jaylen Brown?
• Will they go into the luxury tax?
Miami Heat
• Free agency decisions for PJ Tucker and Victor Oladipo.
• Rookie extension for Tyler Herro.
Milwaukee Bucks
• Free agency decisions for Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton.
• Contract extension for Khris Middleton?
Philadelphia 76ers
• What to do about James Harden's contract situation?
• Add bench scoring.
Toronto Raptors
• Make a decision on Fred VanVleet's future with the team.
• Add bench depth.
Chicago Bulls
• Sign Zach LaVine to a long-term extension
• Get Lonzo Ball healthy
• Find a backup stretch-4
Atlanta Hawks
• Get a defensive-minded point guard and small forward
• Release Danilo Gallinari to get under the luxury tax threshold.
Brooklyn Nets
• Get Ben Simmons healthy.
• Have Kyrie Irving opt in to his player option for the upcoming season.
• Add bench depth.
Cleveland Cavaliers
• How can the team avoid injuries to key players next season?
• Make a decision on Collin Sexton's future with the team.
• Sign Darius Garland to a long-term contract.
What's next for the Cavaliers?
Charlotte Hornets
• Extend Miles Bridges.
• Who is the right head coach for LaMelo Ball's development?
New York Knicks
• Find a legitimate starting point guard.
• Invest in the development of RJ Barrett and Obi Toppin.
• Should Julius Randle be part of the team's future?
Washington Wizards
• Extend Bradley Beal to a long-term contract.
• Be patient with Kristaps Porzingis.
Indiana Pacers
• Extend Myles Turner to a long-term contract.
• Acquire a dependable starting power forward.
• Find depth at small forward.
Detroit Pistons
• Acquire a point guard to complement Cade Cunningham off the bench.
• Find more shooters off the bench through free agency or the draft.
• Find a backup small forward and center.
Orlando Magic
• Get Markelle Fultz and Jonathan Isaac healthy.
• How can the team develop its young nucleus?
• Find bench depth at all positions.