CENTRAL DIVISION

1. NEW ORLEANS HORNETS

Roster moves: Traded No. 1 draft pick (17th overall) to Washington for F Courtney Alexander. Signed PG Baron Davis to six-year extension.

Lineup issues: Alexander's addition and Jamal Mashburn's return from a playoff bout with vertigo leave the Hornets with quality depth at every position. Alexander and David Wesley share time at SG, with Wesley shifting to PG (ahead of erratic Bryce Drew) when Davis rests. Hornets are especially deep at SF, with Mashburn, George Lynch and Stacy Augmon. Elden Campbell (recovering from knee surgery), P.J. Brown and Jamaal Magloire comprise capable three-headed monster at PF and C, with Robert Traylor, Matt Bullard and Kirk Haston in reserve.

The skinny: Playing before friends and relatives in Charlotte last year, the Hornets were better on the road (23-18) than at home (21-20). Factor in the legit homecourt advantage they should enjoy in New Orleans, plus the return of Mashburn (who played in just 40 games last year), and the Hornets have the talent and experience to win 50 and challenge for the Eastern title.

Prediction: Lose to Nets in Eastern finals.

2. DETROIT PISTONS

Roster moves: Traded SG Jerry Stackhouse, PF Brian Cardinal and C Ratko Varda to Washington for SG Richard Hamilton, SF Bobby Simmons (since released) and SG Hubert Davis. Traded F Rodney White to Denver for C Don Reid, C Mengke Bateer and a No. 1 draft pick. Then traded Bateer to Spurs for second-round pick. Signed PGs Chauncey Billups (Minnesota) and Pepe Sanchez (Atlanta) and F Mehmet Okur (Europe). Drafted SF Tayshaun Prince. Lost C Mikki Moore (San Antonio) and PGs Damon Jones (Sacramento) and Dana Barros.

Lineup issues: Hamilton is a superior shooter to Stackhouse, but Stackhouse is the better all-around player. The Pistons will miss Stackhouse's defense and ability to create shots. The defending Central champions shored up their weakest position by signing Billups, who averaged 12.5 points and 5.5 assists for the Wolves. That will allow PG Chucky Atkins to come off the bench. They're also better at PF, with Turkish import Okur playing behind Defensive Player of the Year Ben Wallace, who led the league in rebounding and blocks. There's depth at SF, with Michael Curry, Corliss Williamson and Prince. Cliff Robinson, entering the last year of his contract, plays C, with Zeljko Rebraca and Reid in reserve. Davis and Jon Barry back up at SG.

The skinny: The tandem of GM Joe Dumars and coach Rick Carlisle have re-energized this franchise with smart, savvy stewardship. But Dumars took a major risk by trading Stackhouse for Hamilton, who's three years younger at 24. The Pistons won't surprise opponents like they did when they won 50 last season and defended with verve. Hamilton will be a restricted free agent next summer, and Robinson will be unrestricted, leaving Dumars with flexibility to tinker again if this group doesn't produce.

Prediction: Lose in second round.

3. INDIANA PACERS

Roster moves: Signed PG Eric Strickland (Boston). Drafted SG Fred Jones. Lost PG Kevin Ollie (Milwaukee).

Lineup issues: Last February's Jalen Rose trade with Chicago added defense and depth, but also created a logjam at SF and SG, where Reggie Miller, Al Harrington, Ron Artest, Ron Mercer and Jonathan Bender must share time. There's less of a playing-time issue at the power-rotation positions, where blossoming star Jermaine O'Neal and Brad Miller will log major minutes, with Jeff Foster and Austin Croshere in reserve. Jamaal Tinsley faded after a fast start, and coach Isiah Thomas could play Strickland down the stretch of games if Tinsley doesn't mature.

The skinny: President Donnie Walsh has replenished a stale roster, but Thomas still has much to prove. The Pacers nearly beat the Nets in Round 1 last year, but struggled more than they should have just to make the playoffs. The talent is good enough for a 4 or 5 seed, but Reggie Miller is the only Pacer who has experienced considerable personal success in postseason.

Prediction: Lose in second round.

4. ATLANTA HAWKS

Roster moves: Signed F Darvin Ham (Milwaukee). Traded F Toni Kukoc, F Leon Smith and No. 1 draft pick to Milwaukee for F Glenn Robinson. Traded No. 1 pick to Sacramento for rookie PG Dan Dickau. Lost G Jacque Vaughn (Orlando), C Cal Bowdler (Europe) and C Hanno Mottola (Europe).

Lineup issues: The Hawks will field their most offensively gifted lineup since the mid-1980s Dominique Wilkins era, with Robinson (20.7 ppg last season) at SF, Shareef Abdur-Rahim (21.2) at PF and Jason Terry (19.3) at PG. Terry might be needed some at SG because the starter, DerMarr Johnson, is expected to miss the season after a September automobile accident. That could mean extensive playing time at PG eventually for Dickau and veteran Emanual Davis. For now, Terry starts at PG, with Ira Newble and Dion Glover sharing time at SG. C Theo Ratliff, limited to three games last season because of hip problems, needs to be a defensive-enforcer because the rest of the starting lineup is soft. SF Ham, PF Alan Henderson and C Nazr Mohammed are the top frontcourt reserves.

The skinny: The Hawks, coming off a 33-49 season, will give partial refunds to season-ticket holders if they miss the playoffs. The confidence is justified, based on talent. But can coach Lon Kruger get this group to play defense? Robinson, sometimes indifferent defensively, should be motivated to prove the Bucks made a mistake by dumping him. But Atlanta enjoys little homecourt advantage in quiet, half-empty Philips Arena.

Prediction: Lose in first round.

5. TORONTO RAPTORS

Roster moves: Traded SG Tracy Murray and No. 1 draft pick Kareem Rush to Lakers for PG Lindsey Hunter and No. 1 draft pick Chris Jefferies. Traded C Michael Stewart and a first-round pick to Cleveland for SF Lamond Murray and a second-round pick. Signed PF Nate Huffman (Israel) and C Jelani McCoy (Lakers). Lost C Keon Clark (Sacramento), C Hakeem Olajuwon (expected retirement), PG Chris Childs (New Jersey) and SG Dell Curry.

Lineup issues: With the loss of Clark and Olajuwon, there's not enough quality size or depth up front. The starters are fine - Antonio Davis at C and Jerome Williams at PF. McCoy impressed in camp, but Eric Montross, Huffman and Michael Bradley are mediocre. Morris Peterson, who has developed nicely, starts at SF, with Jefferies backing up. Murray is out two months with a foot injury. Vince Carter (24.7 ppg.) continues to be hounded by questions about his mettle and toughness, but he's the only Raptor who requires double-teams. PG Alvin Williams was somewhat of a disappointment last season and will be pressed for time by Hunter.

The skinny: Aside from adding Murray's scoring, the Raptors didn't do much to bolster a team that played horribly in February and most of March and exited meekly in the first round. Hunter will be a slight improvement over Childs, but Clark will be missed. Indiana, Toronto, Atlanta, Orlando, Milwaukee and Philadelphia figure to battle for four playoff spots behind New Jersey, Detroit, Boston and New Orleans.

Prediction: Miss playoffs.

6. MILWAUKEE BUCKS

Roster moves: Traded F Glenn Robinson to Atlanta for F Toni Kukoc, F Leon Smith (since released) and a No. 1 draft pick. Signed G Kevin Ollie (Indiana). Drafted PF Marcus Haislip, C Dan Gadzuric and G Ronald Shaw. Lost F Darvin Ham (Atlanta), C Mark Pope (New York) and PG Rafer Alston (Golden State).

Lineup issues: Coach George Karl no longer has to worry about creating minutes for overpaid Tim Thomas - he now starts, by default, at small forward, with Robinson having been shipped south. Kukoc, if he can stay healthy, also will get considerable time at forward. Center remains a problem, with Joel Pryzbilla (foot problems), Ervin Johnson and Gadzuric competing for minutes. Karl also has spoken of using PF Anthony Mason some at center. Jason Caffey backs up Mason at PF. The Sam Cassell-Ray Allen backcourt returns intact, with Ollie backing up at PG and outstanding shooter Michael Redd at SG.

The skinny: Embarrassed by last year's late-season flameout, GM Ernie Grunfeld tinkered with chemistry by dealing Robinson to a division rival. But it's hard to envision how trading a 20-point-a-game scorer for a washed-up backup SF (and a future No. 1 pick) makes the Bucks better. And Milwaukee isn't exactly rebuilding with youth - Cassell turns 33 in November, Mason 36 in December. Now, there are not only questions about the chemistry but also the talent level.

Prediction: Miss playoffs.

7. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS

Roster moves: Traded PG Andre Miller and SG Bryant Stith to Clippers for SF Darius Miles and PF Harold Jamison. Traded SG Wesley Person to Memphis for SG Nick Anderson, who has been told not to join the team. Traded second-round draft pick to Phoenix for PG Milt Palacio. Traded SF Lamond Murray and a second-round pick to Toronto for C Michael Stewart and a first-round pick. Signed PG Anthony Johnson (New Jersey). Drafted G Dujuan Wagner and F Carlos Boozer. Lost F Brian Skinner (Philadelphia), G Trajan Langdon (Europe), C Michael Doleac (New York).

Lineup issues: With Miller's departure, PG is a mess. Palacio (the front-runner to start) and Johnson are journeymen, Bimbo Coles is close to retirement and Wagner might be better suited for shooting guard. Miles, who will share time at SF with Ricky Davis, is a marvelous athlete, but there are questions about his limited range and lack of polish. Davis, who also can share time with Wagner at SG, averaged 20 points in the final relatively meaningless six weeks of last season. C Zydrunas Ilgauskas and PF Tyrone Hill are health risks - Ilgauskas because of his fragile feet, Hill because of his back. Chris Mihm, Boozer, Jumaine Jones and last year's No. 1 pick, DeSagana Diop, will compete for minutes up front.

The skinny: With Miles, Wagner and Davis, this listless franchise will, for a change, be interesting to watch. But the Cavs won't be very good unless Ilgauskas gets a new foot, Hill gets a new back, and Davis lives up to coach John Lucas' amusing comparisons to Jordan. And even then, don't book the playoffs. The Cavs might not have gotten enough for Miller, who led the NBA in assists. Their trade of Person (15.1 points per game) for Anderson (4.0) was a salary dump. And they're at least two years and a new PG from playoff contention.

Prediction: Miss playoffs.

8. CHICAGO BULLS

Roster moves: Signed F Donyell Marshall (Utah). Drafted PGs Jay Williams, Roger Mason Jr. and PF Lonny Baxter. Lost PF Charles Oakley (Wizards) and PGs Travis Best (Miami) and A.J. Guyton (Lakers).

Lineup issues: The Bulls added a point guard of the future (Williams) and a small forward of the present (Marshall), but still have major holes at the power positions. The backcourt of Williams and Jalen Rose could become one of the NBA's best offensively. Jamal Crawford (on the trading block), Trenton Hassell and Fred Hoiberg are also available at guard. Marshall and injury-prone Eddie Robinson share time at SF. Tyson Chandler starts at PF, with Marcus Fizer and Baxter in reserve. The other prep phenom from the 2001 draft, C Eddy Curry, played well early in camp. His backup is dreadful Dalibor Bagaric.

The skinny: GM Jerry Krause's 80-year rebuilding program rolls on, with a playoff berth nowhere in sight. Even if Rose scores 25 a game and Williams is Rookie of the Year, the Bulls won't be a playoff contender until Curry and Chandler fulfill their potential. And that won't happen this year. Anything above 28 wins would be a surprise.

Prediction: Miss playoffs.