PREVIEW CAPSULES: Eastern Conference

Los Angeles - Cleveland Cavaliers Last season: 66-16, lost to Orlando in conference finals Coach: Mike Brown (5th season with Cleveland) Additions: C Shaquille O'Neal (trade with Phoenix), G-F Anthony Parker (free agent), F Jamario Moon (free agent), F Leon Powe (free agent), G Danny Green (draft) Subtractions: F-G Wally Szczerbiak, F Joe Smith, G Sasha Pavlovic, C Ben Wallace, G Tarence Kinsey, C Lorenzen Wright Projected starters: F Anderson Varejao, F LeBron James, C Shaquille O'Neal, G Anthony Parker, G Mo Williams Outlook: The trade for O'Neal is glitzy, but he has to be a factor in the post-season vs. Orlando and Boston. The other new pieces are just as important because they add the versatility Cleveland lacked last season. It's championship or bust for the Cavaliers, who have James' decision to stay or leave via free agency riding on this season. Detroit Pistons Last season: 39-43, lost to Cleveland in first round Coach: John Kuester (1st season) Additions: F Charlie Villanueva (free agent), G Ben Gordon (free agent), C Ben Wallace (free agent), F Chris Wilcox (free agent), F Austin Daye (draft), F DaJuan Summers (draft), F Jonas Jerebko (draft) Subtractions: G Allen Iverson, F Rasheed Wallace, F Antonio McDyess, C Amir Johnson, G Arron Afflalo, F Walter Herrmann Projected starters: F Charlie Villanueva, F Tayshaun Prince, C Kwame Brown, G Richard Hamilton, G Rodney Stuckey Outlook: With a new coach and so many new faces, this is transition time for the Pistons, who have gotten younger, quicker and more explosive. But they may not have enough big bodies to push their way into the post-season for the ninth straight year. Indiana Pacers Last season: 36-46, did not make playoffs Coach: Jim O'Brien (3rd season with Indiana) Additions: F Tyler Hansbrough (draft), G Luther Head (free agent), G Earl Watson (free agent), G Dahntay Jones (free agent), F Solomon Jones (free agent) Subtractions: G Marquis Daniels, C Rasho Nesterovic, F Stephen Graham, G Jarrett Jack, F Maceo Baston Projected starters: F Troy Murphy, F Danny Granger, C Jeff Foster, G Brandon Rush, G T.J. Ford. Outlook: Hansbrough and swingman Mike Dunleavy Jr. are injured, which negates the improvements made by center Roy Hibbert. The Pacers are too porous defensively and too weak in the backcourt to be taken seriously as a possible playoff team. Miami Heat Last season: 43-39, lost to Atlanta in first round Coach: Erik Spoelstra (2nd season) Additions: G Quentin Richardson (trade with Minnesota), F Robert Dozier (draft), G Marcus Thornton (draft), G Patrick Beverley (draft) Subtractions: F Jamario Moon, C Mark Blount, G Luther Head Projected starters: F Quentin Richardson, F Udonis Haslem, C Jermaine O'Neal, G Mario Chalmers, G Dwyane Wade Outlook: Beasley's strong preseason is helping put his offseason troubles behind him. That will have to continue, because the Heat don't seem to have enough firepower around Wade, who is a free agent at the end of the season. He could leave in Miami remains mired in mediocrity. Milwaukee Bucks Last season: 34-48, did not make playoffs Coach: Scott Skiles (2nd season with Milwaukee) Additions: G Brandon Jennings (draft), G Jodie Meeks (draft), F Hakim Warrick (free agent), G Carlos Delfino (trade with Toronto), G Roko Ukic (trade with Toronto), F Kurt Thomas (trade with San Antonio), F Walter Sharpe (trade with Denver), F Ersan Ilyasova (free agent) Subtractions: F Charlie Villanueva, F Richard Jefferson, G Ramon Sessions, F Malik Allen, G Salim Stoudamire, G Damon Jones Projected starters: F Hakim Warrick, F Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, C Andrew Bogut, G Michael Redd, G Luke Ridnour Outlook: Redd and Bogut are healthy again, but the Bucks have to replace a lot of departed firepower in Jefferson, Villanueva and Sessions and have a lot of uncertainty at point guard and both forward positions. Even a big season from Jennings probably won't be enough to get them in the playoffs. New Jersey Nets Last season: 34-48, did not make playoffs Coach: Lawrence Frank (7th season) Additions: G Courtney Lee (trade with Orlando), G Rafer Alston (trade with Orlando), F-C Tony Battie (trade with Orlando), F Terrence Williams (draft) Subtractions: G Vince Carter, G Maurice Ager Projected starters: F Bobby Simmons, F Yi Jianlian, C Brook Lopez, G Devin Harris, G Courtney Lee Outlook: Wait until next year. The Nets are staking their future on using the 2010 free agent market to surround their young nucleus of Harris, Lee and Lopez with a star. The best they can hope for is health and consistency from Yi and their other young big men and steady improvement from rookie Terrence Williams.