NBA watchability rankings: 30-21

With the 2016-17 NBA season on the horizon, USA TODAY Sports highlights the top three reasons to watch all 30 teams. We also recap any significant moves made in the offseason and project how your favorite team will finish.

30. Brooklyn Nets

What’s different? They hired GM Sean Marks from the San Antonio Spurs organization, tabbed former Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks assistant Kenny Atkinson as their new coach and made several noteworthy moves that should portend success. Eventually.

Lin’s back in New York: Reviving Linsanity might be a stretch, but the Nets believe in Jeremy Lin, their biggest offseason acquisition. He signed a three-year deal in large part because of his relationship with Atkinson from his time with the Knicks. Lin wasn’t a featured guard while playing second fiddle to Kemba Walker with the Charlotte Hornets, but his struggles (41% shooting from the field) could be attributed to circumstance. His defense is much improved, and he has talked a lot about strengthening the mental aspects of his game.

Adjusting to Atkinson: Atkinson is the sixth Nets coach since the franchise moved to Brooklyn in 2012. That suggests management is impatient, but he indicated he wouldn’t have accepted the job if he were on a short leash. Atkinson, noted for his player development, had a significant hand in developing Hawks guard Dennis Schroeder and former Hawks guard Jeff Teague during his time in Atlanta. His touch could help bring along first-round pick Caris LeVert, whom the Nets acquired by trading Thaddeus Young on draft night.

Atkinson to take things from Spurs, Knicks, Hawks

Breakout candidate? Aside from Lin and Brook Lopez, a casual fan might not recognize many names on Brooklyn’s roster, but one that could have a breakout season is Bojan Bogdanovic. Playing for Croatia in the Rio Olympics, Bogdanovic led all scorers with an average of 25.3 points a game. He shot better than 50% from the field, including 45% from three-point range. He had several huge games last season, though his production was largely ignored in the midst of the Nets’ losing.

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

(Statistics from 2015-16 season)

• Jeremy Lin (with Charlotte) - Points: 11.7, assists: 3.0, rebounds: 3.2, steals: 0.7, field goal percentage: 41.2%
• Rondae Hollis-Jefferson - Points: 5.8, rebounds: 5.3, assists: 1.5, steals: 1.3, field goal percentage: 45.7%
• Bojan Bogdanovic - Points: 11.2, rebounds: 3.2, assists: 1.3, steals: 0.4, field goal percentage: 43.3%
• Luis Scola (with Toronto) - Points: 8.7, rebounds: 4.7, assists: 0.9, blocks: 0.4, field goal percentageL 45.0%
• Brook Lopez - Points: 20.6, rebounds: 7.8, assists: 2.0, blocks: 1.7, field goal percentage: 51.1%

How good can they be? The Nets might not be better than last year. Don’t expect a playoff appearance anytime soon.

USA TODAY’s projection: 20-62​

29. Denver Nuggets

What’s different? Continuity might be one of the team’s biggest strengths. The Nuggets addressed their perimeter shooting in drafting Jamal Murray out of Kentucky and should benefit immensely from the return of forward Wilson Chandler, who missed last season with a hip injury.

What to make of Mudiay? Emmanuel Mudiay had a roller-coaster rookie season in which he turned the ball over too frequently (3.2 per game) and shot it poorly for a primary guard (36.4%). But he was tossed into a difficult spot, taking over the offense of a rebuilding team that suffered a number of injuries. Assuming players such as Danilo Gallinari and Chandler are healthy, Mudiay could benefit simply from the maturation of the Nuggets offense.

Nuggets thinking big with blend of youth, veterans

Prospective growth: Gary Harris and Nikola Jokic could solidify their standing as building blocks in Denver this season. Entering his third season, Harris needs to stabilize his three-point shooting from last season (35.4%), especially if the Nuggets continue to play him the same number of minutes, though he's expected to miss the first few weeks of the season with a groin injury. He is a balance to Mudiay and could eventually play well off the ball to Murray. Jokic began building buzz later in the season, as his ability to stretch the floor, find seams and rebound became apparent to Nuggets opponents.

Where have you gone, Manimal? Kenneth Faried, who is 6-8, is an athletic, albeit undersized, forward. But he played his fewest minutes since his rookie season last year and might be the victim of a cluttered lineup, especially with versatile Chandler returning. Between the 6-foot-10 Gallinari, 6-foot-8 Chandler and Denver’s interest in developing its big men, Faried might ultimately be best served on a different team.

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

• Emmanuel Mudiay - Points: 12.8, assists: 5.5, rebounds: 3.4, steals: 1.0, field goal percentage: 36.4%
• Will Barton - Points: 14.4, rebounds: 5.8, assists: 2.5, steals: 0.9, field goal percentage: 43.2%
• Danilo Gallinari - Points: 19.5, rebounds: 5.3, assists: 2.5, steals: 0.8, field goal percentage: 41.0%
• Kenneth Faried - Points: 12.5, rebounds: 8.7, assists: 1.2, blocks: 0.9, field goal percentage: 55.8%
• Nikola Jokic - Points: 10.0, rebounds: 7.0, assists: 2.4, blocks: 0.6, field goal percentage: 51.2%

How good can they be? If the Nuggets can avoid injuries, continue to develop Mudiay and Harris while introducing Murray into the offense, they can consider 40 wins a legitimate goal.

USA TODAY’s projection: 35-47

28. Phoenix Suns

What’s different? The Suns struck gold on draft night, nabbing Dragan Bender, the 7-1, No. 4 pick from Croatia, and Marquese Chriss, the 6-10, No. 8 pick out of Washington. They also re-signed two former Suns — Jared Dudley and Leandro Barbosa. They weren’t able to hold on to their biggest perimeter threat (2.3 three-pointers per game at 39.3%) in Mirza Teletovic, who set the single-season NBA record for three-pointers made off the bench last year.

All-Kentucky backcourt: With Eric Bledsoe, 26, and Devin Booker, 19, slated to be the starting backcourt in Phoenix, Brandon Knight, 24, becomes arguably the most talented sixth man in the NBA. He's capable of starting on plenty of teams throughout the league, but if he embraces his role as the leader of the second unit and the team's primary scoring option off the bench, the Suns will reap the benefits.

Pace: The Suns ranked fourth in the league in pace of play last season, often to a fault, as they ranked last in turnover ratio and opponents’ fast-break points. And although it might not translate to success, coach Earl Watson said he expects his team to play even faster this season. That style has the potential to work with this young, athletic roster, and — if nothing else — it'll certainly be fun to watch.

Versatility: Bender has a center’s height but the versatility to play anywhere in the frontcourt; Chriss is a high-flying athlete with three-point range; Booker is a pure shooter with the physical tools to play multiple positions; Dudley, a traditional small forward, thrived as a stretch-4 in Washington last season. The Suns can experiment with all sorts of lineups and rotations this season, and that's exactly what we expect them to do.

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

• Eric Bledsoe (31 games played) - Points: 20.4, assists: 6.1, rebounds: 4.0, steals: 2.0, field goal percentage: 45.3%
• Devin Booker - Points: 13.8, rebounds: 2.5, assists: 2.6, steals: 0.6, field goal percentage: 42.3%
• T.J. Warren - Points: 11.0, rebounds: 3.1, assists: 0.9, steals: 0.8, field goal percentage: 50.1%
• Jared Dudley (with Washington) - Points: 7.9, rebounds: 3.5, assists: 2.1, steals: 0.9, field goal percentage: 47.8%
• Tyson Chandler - Points: 7.2, rebounds: 8.7, assists: 1.0, blocks: 0.7, field goal percentage: 58.3%

How good can they be? Their 23-game win total from last season should see a slight increase. They’re certainly on the right track, but don’t expect them to be around for an 83rd game.

USA TODAY’s projection: 26-56

27. New Orleans Pelicans

What’s different? Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon weren’t re-signed. The biggest addition to the Pelicans came via the draft, when Oklahoma’s Buddy Hield fell to them at the No. 6 pick. Other signings included Solomon Hill, who had been a backup wing for the Indiana Pacers, and E’Twaun Moore, a guard who the Chicago Bulls were particularly high on.

Davis at full strength: When healthy, Anthony Davis is arguably one of the five best players in the NBA. He says he’s as strong as he’s ever been after a March knee procedure. There also was a question about whether he’d have surgery on a partially torn labrum in his shoulder, but doctors opted against it. At this point, the Pelicans have to hope he’s ready to shoulder the brunt of the offense again.

A Stephenson revival? Ever wonder why Lance Stephenson gets chance after chance to play in the NBA? It’s because he’s too talented not to take a flyer on. The Pelicans are the latest team to give him an opportunity, signing him after his productive stint with the Memphis Grizzlies to end last season. Stephenson, along with Langston Galloway, will fill an important role while Jrue Holiday is out dealing with the health of his wife. Making matters more complicated in the backcourt, Tyreke Evans will likely be out until December after a blood clot was discovered in his calf after knee surgery.

Buddy Buckets: How well will Hield’s confidence and range translate to the NBA? How will he cope without the ball in his hands? Can he develop other areas of his game outside of the 46% three-point shooting he boasted last year at Oklahoma? Pelicans coaches are curious, too, and given the excess of injuries at the guard position, Hield should have ample opportunity to showcase his ability as a rookie.

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

• Langston Galloway (with New York) - Points: 7.6, assists: 2.5, rebounds: 3.5, steals: 0.9, field goal percentage: 39.3%
• E'Twaun Moore (with Chicago) - Points: 7.5, rebounds: 2.3, assists: 1.7, steals: 0.6, field goal percentage: 48.1%
• Solomon Hill (with Indiana) - Points: 4.2, rebounds: 2.8, assists: 1.0, steals: 0.6, field goal percentage: 44.7%
• Anthony Davis - Points: 24.3, rebounds: 10.3, assists: 1.9, blocks: 2.0, field goal percentage: 49.3%
• Omer Asik - Points: 4.0, rebounds: 6.1, assists: 0.4, blocks: 0.3, field goal percentage: 53.3%

How good can they be? If Davis stays healthy, Evans and Holiday return to the lineup by December and Hield averages double-digit points per game, their win total should see a slight increase.

USA TODAY’s projection: 34-48

26. Sacramento Kings

What’s different? Dave Joerger comes to Sacramento as the Kings’ ninth coach in the past 10 seasons. The former Memphis Grizzlies coach takes over a roster with plenty of new faces, including veterans Arron Afflalo, Matt Barnes, Garrett Temple, Ty Lawson and Anthony Tolliver, as well as rookies Georgios Papagiannis (13th pick), Malachi Richardson (No. 22), Skal Labissiere (No.28) and Isaiah Cousins (No. 59).

The rebrand: What better way to revamp a team in the midst of a 10-year playoff drought than a shiny new arena, new logos and new uniforms? The Golden 1 Center — the team’s $550 million-plus venue that boasts the NBA’s first and only 4K ultra-HD video board — is as state-of-the-art as it gets, and the uniforms and logo give a new look to a squad in desperate need of change.

One-man show: Hate him or love him, there’s no denying DeMarcus Cousins is as entertaining as he is talented. Whether he’s taking it coast to coast for a highlight-reel finish, hitting a game-winning fadeaway jumper or getting thrown out of arenas for that raw emotion that he so often has trouble containing, Cousins is the epitome of a one-man show.

More turmoil? Joerger boasts an impressive, although brief, head coaching résumé: three consecutive postseason appearances and a 147-99 record during his tenure with Memphis. Few candidates on the market this summer were more capable of taking on this challenge. For a team with as much turmoil as talent in recent seasons, how he coexists with Cousins will be something to keep an eye on.

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

• Darren Collison - Points: 14.0, assists: 4.3, rebounds: 2.3, steals: 1.0, field goal percentage: 48.6%
• Arron Afflalo (with New York) - Points: 12.8, rebounds: 3.7, assists: 2.0, steals: 0.4, field goal percentage: 44.3%
• Rudy Gay - Points: 17.2, rebounds: 6.5, assists: 1.7, steals: 1.4, field goal percentage: 46.3%
• Willie Cauley-Stein - Points: 7.0, rebounds: 5.3, assists: 0.6, blocks: 1.0, field goal percentage: 56.3%
• DeMarcus Cousins - Points: 26.9, rebounds: 11.5, assists: 3.3, blocks: 1.4, field goal percentage: 45.1%

How good can they be? Sacramento’s 33-49 record last season was their best win total since 2008. Based strictly on talent, they could be a pleasant surprise. They could also, more likely than not, be another nightmare hampered by offcourt issues. All things considered, expect this team to be on the outside looking in. Again.

USA TODAY’s projection: 31-51

25. Charlotte Hornets

What’s different? The Hornets held on to their second- and third-most valuable players, Nicolas Batum and Marvin Williams, and brought in capable veterans Ramon Sessions, Marco Belinelli and Roy Hibbert. But the NBA’s influx of cash led to the departures of Jeremy Lin, Al Jefferson and Courtney Lee, three of their top six scorers from last season.

King Kemba: Fearless sixth-year point guard Kemba Walker finished second in voting for the NBA’s most improved player award last season, upping his points, assists, rebounds and steals while shooting career highs from the field and from three-point range. He also ranked fourth in the league for points scored (42) in clutch situations (last 30 seconds, five-point differential or less). If he can take another step forward, he could make a strong case to become the franchise’s first All-Star since Gerald Wallace (2010).

MKG: The bad news: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is coming off a season in which he played seven games after having two operations on his right shoulder. The good news: He turned 23 in September. Assuming the 2012 No. 2 overall pick can stay on the court and continue to progress, particularly as a shooter, the Hornets will reap the benefits.

The unis: The Hornets debuted their new purple and teal uniforms at the start of the 2014-15 season, paying homage to the color scheme used by the Hornets teams of the 1980s and 1990s. With the teal alternates, black Buzz City alternates, the road purples and the home whites, the Hornets’ uniforms are some of the cleanest in the league.

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

• Kemba Walker - Points: 20.9, assists: 5.2, rebounds: 4.4, steals: 1.6, field goal percentage: 42.7%
• Nicolas Batum - Points: 14.9, rebounds: 6.1, assists: 5.8, steals: 0.9, field goal percentage: 42.6%
• Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (seven games played) - Points: 12.7, rebounds: 6.4, assists: 1.3, steals: 0.4, field goal percentage: 54.1%
• Marvin Williams - Points: 11.7, rebounds: 6.4, assists: 1.4, blocks: 1.0, field goal percentage: 45.2%
• Cody Zeller - Points: 8.7, rebounds: 6.2, assists: 1.0, blocks: 0.9, field goal percentage: 52.9%

How good can they be? Losing Lin, Jefferson and Lee hurts, but the Hornets will be right back in the thick of things in the East, especially if Walker, Batum and Williams pick up where they left off last year.

USA TODAY’s projection: 40-42

24. Orlando Magic

What’s different?: It always seemed like Frank Vogel was underappreciated as head coach in Indiana before the Pacers fizzled. The Magic swooped in on one of the best coaches available and presented him with a stable of core players and the chance to build an enticing foundation. But on draft night, Victor Oladipo was sent to Oklahoma City for Serge Ibaka, a risky move considering the latter is a free agent at the end of the season. Center-forward Bismack Biyombo signed weeks later.

Logjam in the frontcourt: Credit Biyombo for leveraging an outstanding postseason with the Toronto Raptors (think Steven Adams of the East) into a $72 million payday. But can he play with Ibaka? How about Nikola Vucevic, the Magic’s rising star at center? And where does that leave forward Aaron Gordon?

Veteran influx: One of the primary reasons the Magic flopped last season was their youthful inconsistency, which led to two losing streaks of six games or more. Biyombo and Ibaka help, but Orlando also added veteran forward Jeff Green to the mix after he bounced around with the Los Angeles Clippers and the Memphis Grizzlies last year. That trio should have their hands full forging an on-court relationship with guard Elfrid Payton (22) and guard-forwards Evan Fournier (23) and Mario Hezonja (21).

Playoffs or bust: That’s what they’re saying in Orlando, and it’s not unreasonable. Vogel already said he’ll try to utilize Gordon in the same manner he used Paul George, but that’s asking a lot of offensive progress from Gordon. The league is getting smaller and faster, while the Magic are getting longer and stronger.

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

• Elfrid Payton - Points: 10.7, assists: 6.4, rebounds: 3.6, steals: 1.2, field goal percentage: 43.6%
• Evan Fournier - Points: 15.4, rebounds: 2.8, assists: 2.7, steals: 1.2, field goal percentage: 46.2%
• Aaron Gordon - Points: 9.2, rebounds: 6.5, assists: 1.6, steals: 0.8, field goal percentage: 47.3%
• Serge Ibaka (with Oklahoma City) - Points: 12.6, rebounds: 6.8, assists: 0.8, blocks: 1.9, field goal percentage: 47.9%
• Nikola Vucevic - Points: 18.2, rebounds: 8.9, assists: 2.8, blocks: 1.1, field goal percentage: 51.0%

How good can they be? The Magic won 35 games last year, and though they traded Oladipo, their overall talent level improved. But it’s going to take time for this team to find its identity.

USA TODAY’s projection: 35-47

23. Philadelphia 76ers

What’s different? Three lottery picks — Ben Simmons (No. 1; 2016), Joel Embiid (No. 3; 2014) and Dario Saric (No. 12; 2014) — join veterans Jerryd Bayless, Gerald Henderson and Sergio Rodriguez as the new faces of a team on the verge of finally finding an identity. It would have been nice if they could have held on to Ish Smith, who averaged 14.7 points, seven assists and 1.3 steals in 50 games (50 starts) as one of the lone bright spots last season. But all in all, the 76ers’ offseason moved them in the right direction.

Simmons: The 6-10 forward heads to Philly as the team’s fifth lottery selection in four years, with sky-high expectations and superstar potential. But the 76ers will have to wait until he full recovers from October foot surgery. There isn't an official timetable for his return, but once he’s 100%, you can expect the No. 1 overall pick to make an immediate impact as the focal point for this young and inexperienced team.

Embiid: The 7-foot, 250-pound center was forced to sit out the past two seasons after having two foot surgeries, but Embiid is finally ready to make his NBA debut. It’ll take time to get in the swing of things, but if he can avoid any major setbacks, expect the 22-year-old to be a difference-maker this season.

Logjam? With the small ball revolution sweeping the NBA, the additions of Simmons, Saric and Embiid to a frontcourt that already featured Jahlil Okafor (No. 3 pick; 2015), Nerlens Noel (No. 6; 2013) and Richaun Holmes (No. 37; 2015) almost guarantees that someone will eventually be subtracted from the equation. But who? And when? How coach Brett Brown deploys his band of big men without sacrificing player development will be something to watch.

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

• Jerryd Bayless (with Milwaukee) - Points: 10.4, assists: 3.1, rebounds: 2.7, steals: 0.9, field goal percentage: 42.3%
• Gerald Henderson (with Portland) - Points: 8.7, rebounds: 2.9, assists: 1.0, steals: 0.5, field goal percentage: 43.9%
• Robert Covington - Points: 12.8, rebounds: 6.3, assists: 1.4, steals: 1.6, field goal percentage: 38.5%
• Dario Saric (in EuroLeague) - Points: 11.7, rebounds: 5.8, assists: 1.5, blocks: 0.5, field goal percentage: 50%
• Jahlil Okafor - Points: 17.5, rebounds: 7.0, assists: 1.2, blocks: 1.2, field goal percentage: 50.8%

How good can they be? Good things take time. The 76ers are on the right path, but don’t expect anything more than another trip to the lottery from a team that has won a total of 47 games over the past three seasons.

USA TODAY’s projection: 20-62

22. Los Angeles Lakers

What’s different? For the first time since 1996, the Lakers are heading into a season without Kobe Bryant. While replacing his value to the franchise is out of the question, the Lakers spent the summer bringing in pieces to help transition into a new era, including No. 2 overall pick and forward Brandon Ingram, coach Luke Walton and veterans Luol Deng and Timofey Mozgov.

KD 2.0: Ingram, a 6-9, 190-pound 19-year-old whose wiry frame and scoring prowess has led to Kevin Durant comparisons, has the necessary tools to be a star, and he'll have plenty of opportunities to shine during his rookie season.

Dawn of a new era: As fans come to terms with the fact that the Black Mamba is no longer, the team that posted a combined 38-126 record over the past two seasons must begin to move forward, with the keys to the franchise in the hands of Ingram, D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle. Now the distractions of Bryant’s farewell tour are over. Fans might not flock to Staples Center this season, but that also means the young core can develop with reduced expectations.

Cool Hand Luke: Just three years removed from his playing days, the 36-year-old Walton is expected to steer one of the NBA’s most storied franchises from its darkest days back to legitimacy. But while this is, technically speaking, his first head-coaching gig, one mustn't forget that Walton played a pivotal role on the sidelines for the Golden State Warriors the past two seasons, particularly in the first half of last year, when the team jumped to a record-breaking 39-4 start, with him at the helm in an interim role.

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

• D'Angelo Russell - Points: 13.2, assists: 3.3, rebounds: 3.4, steals: 1.2, field goal percentage: 41.0%
• Jordan Clarkson - Points: 15.5, rebounds: 4.0, assists: 2.4, steals: 1.1, field goal percentage: 43.3%
• Luol Deng (with Miami) - Points: 12.3, rebounds: 6.0, assists: 1.9, steals: 1.0, field goal percentage: 45.5%
• Julius Randle: Points: 11.3, rebounds: 10.2, assists: 1.8, blocks: 0.4, field goal percentage: 42.9%
• Timofey Mozgov (with Cleveland) - Points: 6.3, rebounds: 4.4, assists: 0.4, blocks: 0.8, field goal percentage: 56.5%

How good can they be? While we don’t see the Lakers limping to a franchise-low 17 wins for the second consecutive year, we also don’t see them finishing anywhere better than 13th in the West.

USA TODAY’s projection: 24-58

21. Dallas Mavericks

What’s different? Out with Chandler Parsons, in with Harrison Barnes, who signed a max deal with the Mavericks. They also traded for Andrew Bogut.

Ageless wonder: Dirk Nowitzki is 38 and going on his 19th season with the Mavericks. Players with that kind of tread are rarely rewarded with two-year deals worth $50 million, but that’s what Mark Cuban thought was a fair price for a player who had taken significantly less money earlier to ensure the Mavs remained flexible. He averaged more than 17 points for the 17th consecutive season, and there’s absolutely zero reason to assume he won’t do it again.

Banking on Barnes: There might not be a more scrutinized role player than Barnes. He was a good defender last season and spaced the floor well for the Golden State Warriors, but how can anyone reasonably be expected to thrive as the fourth or fifth offensive option? But Barnes is 24. He started every game for the Warriors during their title run two years ago. He scored a career-high 11.7 points a game last season while trying to forge a niche. The confidence Dallas has shown in him will be effective. A change of scenery could be just what he needs.

How Wes goes, so go the Mavs: Wesley Matthews seems to be an excellent barometer for the Mavs. He can either make significant progress two years removed from a ruptured Achilles tendon, return to form as an elite three-point shooter and maintain his status as the team’s best perimeter defender, or he could continue to struggle mightily as he did last season. If the Mavs get some version of the former, they could advance to the conference semifinals. Another season like last year, and it’s tough to see them making headway in the West.

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

• Deron Williams - Points: 14.1, assists: 5.8, rebounds: 2.9, steals: 0.9, field goal percentage: 41.4%
• Wesley Matthews - Points: 12.5, rebounds: 3.1, assists: 1.9, steals: 1.0, field goal percentage: 38.8% 
• Harrison Barnes (with Golden State) - Points: 11.7, rebounds: 4.9, assists: 1.8, steals: 0.6, field goal percentage: 46.6%
• Dirk Nowitzki - Points: 18.3, rebounds: 6.5, assists: 1.8, blocks: 0.7, field goal percentage: 44.8%
• Andrew Bogut (with Golden State) - Points: 5.4, rebounds: 7.0, assists: 2.3, blocks: 1.6, field goal percentage: 62.7%

How good can they be? Barnes flourishes, Bogut’s mean streak helps the Mavs defensively and Nowitzki’s jumper remains flawless. If that happens, the Mavs could have another 42-win season.

USA TODAY’s projection: 40-42