Hoops Rumors Polls News & Rumors

There's no doubt that the best got better this offseason with teams like the Lakers and the Heat adding key pieces to strengthen their odds of making a title run. Beyond the league's powerhouses, a series of teams ranging from the 8th seed from the Eastern Conference to the squad with the worst record in the league made moves this summer that should help them improve their win totals in 2012/13. For some of these teams, success next season will be predicated on a trade made during the offseason (Sixers) or adding key pieces through the draft, free agency as well trades (Hornets).

There have been plenty of free agent signings, savy draft picks and trades this offseason that will undoubtedly improve more than a few teams this season. Let us know which of these teams below will make the biggest improvement this season based upon wins. If you have another team in mind, vote for "Other" and let us know who it is in the comments.

Out of the top 14 draft positions of June's NBA draft, only two non-playoff teams were without a lottery pick, as New Jersey's pick belonged to Portland and Minnesota's choice belonged to the Hornets. Quite a few teams have made significant changes between the trade deadline and this summer, enough to potentially make the race for a playoff berth an interesting one down the line. 

The Wizards made some notable additions this offseason, acquiring veteran help for John Wall in the form of Nene, Trevor Ariza, and Emeka Okafor to go along with a promising young talent in Bradley Beal. The Bucks were very much in the Eastern Conference playoff picture before a 3-7 finish sent the team to the lottery for a second consecutive season. It should be noted that the team went 11-11 with Monta Ellis in the lineup, and it will be intriguing to see what direction the team will go in with a larger sample size of games to work with. 

Mark Jackson has quite a collection of talent and experience to work with in Golden State, and much of the Warriors' success hinges on the health of Stephen Curry and Andrew Bogut. Ideally, Jarrett Jack and Carl Landry could serve as solid and dependable reserves, Brandon Rush returns looking to build upon shooting 50.1% from the field and a stellar 45.2% from three point range last year, and we've yet to see what role Harrison Barnes will have as a rookie.

The Suns begin the post-Steve Nash era having brought in Goran Dragic fresh off of a breakout season in Houston. Considering his remarkable production over the final two months of the season (15.0 PPG, 7.4 APG, 1.8 SPG, 49.7% FG, and 41% from three in March/ 18.9 PPG, 7.7 APG, 1.8 SPG, 46.1% FG in April), Dragic will have a great opportunity to continue his success with consistent starter's minutes. Michael Beasley has self-imposed the standard of becoming an All-Star this season, and Luis Scola is a seasoned veteran who appears ready to pick up where he left off with Dragic last year. 

While there certainly are other factors to consider (especially with other teams, such as how the talent of the Raptors and Kings will fit), which team that selected in the top 14 of this year's NBA Draft has the best chance of making the playoffs this year? 

Players generally see the minimum salary as a last resort, but sometimes quality contributors will take a voluntary paycut if they're especially eager to join a team that's short on available cash. Usually these teams are contenders who get an added boost from a title-hungry player who goes down as a bargain, but sometimes a player just thinks a certain team is the right fit, and is willing to give up a chance for better money elsewhere.

There have already been dozens of minimum salary signings, with plenty more surely to come. Let us know which of these players below is the best minimum salary signing of the offseason. If you have someone else in mind, vote for that option and let us know who it is in the comments.

With the upcoming rookie class looking to have a major impact on the 2012/13 season, we at Hoops Rumors are wondering who you think will win Rookie of the Year?

Earlier today we pointed out an interesting quote from Chris Bosh, where the forward stated that the Lakers, and not his reigning champion Heat, were the best team “on paper” heading into next season. Is he right?

Recently, Rockets general manager Daryl Morey showed a bit of public dismay at the haul Orlando pulled in from their Dwight Howard trade. Given that he was after Howard for so long, and a little disappointed at what eventually transpired, it'll be interesting to see which team builds its team up from the bottom quicker: Orlando or Houston. 

Both teams are currently gutted, armed with draft picks, cap space, and young players. And both should be in the market to target available free agents in the summers ahead. Which one do you think ends up making the wiser decisions?