PREVIEW CAPSULES: Eastern Conference

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Oct 24, 2009, 4:58 GMT

Los Angeles - New York Knicks Last season: 32-50, did not make playoffs Coach: Mike D'Antoni (2nd season with New York) Additions: G Toney Douglas (draft), F Jordan Hill (draft), C Darko Milicic (trade with Memphis) Subtractions: G-F Quentin Richardson, F Chris Wilcox Projected starters: F Al Harrington, F Wilson Chandler, C David Lee, G Larry Hughes, G Chris Duhon Outlook: Despite Harrington's bold prediction, the Knicks will not make the playoffs. They need better point guard play and some semblance of defence. And they won't make the necessary moves because they are gearing up for the 2010 free agent market and have to keep their impending salary cap room to make a run at LeBron James. Orlando Magic Last season: 59-23, lost to LA Lakers in NBA Finals Coach: Stan Van Gundy (3rd season with Orlando) Additions: G Vince Carter (trade with New Jersey), G Jason Williams (free agent), F Brandon Bass (free agent), F Matt Barnes (free agent), F Ryan Anderson (trade with New Jersey) Subtractions: F Hedo Turkoglu, G Courtney Lee, G Rafer Alston, C Tony Battie Projected starters: F Rashard Lewis, F Mikael Pietrus, C Dwight Howard, G Vince Carter, G Jameer Nelson Outlook: This is the deepest team in the NBA; the five players added in the offseason practically constitute a playoff team, and they are joining a group that reached the Finals. Nelson will have to stay healthy and take on more decision-making, but the Magic have the depth and firepower to get back to the Finals - and maybe win it all. Philadelphia 76ers Last season: 41-41, lost to Orlando in first round Coach: Eddie Jordan (1st season with Philadelphia) Additions: F Jason Kapono (trade with Toronto), C Primoz Brezec (free agent), G Jrue Holiday (draft), G-F Rodney Carney (free agent) Subtractions: C Theo Ratliff, G Andre Miller, F Reggie Evans, F Donyell Marshall, G Kareem Rush Projected starters: F Elton Brand, F Thaddeus Young, C Samuel Dalembert, G Andre Iguodala, G Lou Williams Outlook: There are huge questions at the point, where Williams, playmaker Iguodala and rookie Holiday will have to initiate Jordan's Princeton offense, and at power forward, where the injury-prone Brand has to fit in with an athletic group. But there is talent here, and it should be enough to return to the playoffs. Toronto Raptors Last season: 33-49, did not make playoffs Coach: Jay Triano (2nd season) Additions: F Hedo Turkoglu (trade with Orlando), G DeMar DeRozan (draft), G Jarrett Jack (free agent), F Reggie Evans (trade with Philadelphia), G Marco Belinelli (trade with Golden State), C Amir Johnson (trade with Milwaukee), G Antoine Wright (trade with Dallas) Subtractions: F Joey Graham, F Pops Mensah-Bonsu, C Jake Voskuhl, G Anthony Parker, F Jason Kapono, F Shawn Marion, F Kris Humphries, C Nathan Jawai, G Roko Ukic Projected starters: F Chris Bosh, F Hedo Turkoglu, C Andrea Bargnani, G Jose Calderon, G Jarrett Jack Outlook: Turkoglu leads a group of nice new pieces to surround Bosh, who may leave via free agency if the Raptors miss the playoffs. To get there, Toronto will have to dig in defensively and show that it won't be pushed around, but the roster doesn't have many hard-nosed players. Washington Wizards Last season: 19-63, did not make playoffs Coach: Flip Saunders (1st season with Washington) Additions: G-F Mike Miller (trade with Minnesota), G Randy Foye (trade with Minnesota), F-C Fabricio Oberto (free agent) Subtractions: G Juan Dixon, F Etan Thomas, F Darius Songaila, F Oleksiy Pecherov Projected starters: F Caron Butler, F Antawn Jamison, C Brendan Haywood, G Nick Young, G Gilbert Arenas Outlook: With healthy return from Arenas and Haywood and the additions of Miller and Foye, this will be the most improved team in the East; its biggest problem may be shot distribution. Saunders will use zones to hide their defensive deficiencies, and the Wizards will return to the playoffs after a one-year absence.