Smith was selected by the Atlanta Hawks with the 17th overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft. He won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest during his rookie year in the 2005 NBA All-Star Weekend. He is one of the most versatile players in the NBA, an explosive dunker, strong rebounder, adept passer and excellent defender. Yet he's never been an All-Star in seven NBA seasons, mainly due to inconsistency and a questionable attitude. At 26, there's still hope he will mature into the reliable star and team leader the Hawks need to compete with the top teams in the East.
 

O'Neal signed a two-year deal with the Boston Celtics. He had a difficult season with his new team, missing 58 regular season games with left knee and left wrist injuries. O'Neal came back in the starting line-up for the 2011 NBA Playoffs. Plagued by injuries, he played in just 24 games, averaging 5.4 points and 3.7 rebounds. The Celtics need much more from their 33-year-old center now that the other O'Neal (Shaquille) has retired and Jeff Green will miss the season with a heart problem.
 

Chicago replaced starting shooting guard Keith Bogans, who averaged 4.4 points last season, with Hamilton, a career 17.7 ppg scorer. At 33, Hamilton is a risk because his shooting percentage has plummeted the past two years, and he fell into coach John Kuester's doghouse in Detroit. But if he knocks down midrange jumpers and takes pressure off MVP Derrick Rose, the Bulls could be champs.

Thompson was drafted 4th overall in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers, making him the highest drafted Canadian born and bred player in NBA history. The rookie getting all the attention in Cleveland is point guard Kyrie Irving, the No. 1 overall pick who is expected to step in and become an immediate difference-maker. The Cavs' climb back to respectability will be much faster if Thompson. The 20-year-old power forward is more of a long-term project than the precocious Irving, 19, but he could help immediately as a rebounder and shot-blocker.

On December 10, 2011, the Los Angeles Times reported that Odom was traded to the Dallas Mavericks for a first-round draft pick and an $8.9 million trade exception. The deal was confirmed by the Mavericks on December 11. Odom was always the X-factor for the Lakers. On some nights he used his extraordinary all-around skills to make a major impact. On others he was a total nonfactor. It was frustrating at times but the overall result was positive: two titles with the Lakers and a Sixth Man of the Year award last season. Now, after a shocking trade to Dallas, the Mavs won't mind putting up with the same inconsistency if the power forward ultimately helps them defend their own title.
 

Gordon signed a five-year deal for $55 million with the Detroit Pistons starting with the 2009–10 season. With the Pistons, Gordon continued his role as a high-scoring sixth-man off the bench. On January 9, 2010, Gordon scored the 10-millionth point in NBA history. The Pistons thought they were getting an explosive scorer they could build around. Instead, he's averaged fewer than 13 points in two seasons in Detroit, seven fewer than his final season in Chicago, while seeing his field-goal percentage and minutes drop. Unless he earns his money, the Pistons' slide to irrelevancy is likely to continue.

On February 22, 2011, Gallinari was traded to the Denver Nuggets in a three-way blockbuster deal. During the 2011 NBA lockout he returned to Italy to play for Emporio Armani Milan. The 6-foot-10 forward is an outstanding shooter who plays with an edge. He helped the Nuggets go 18-7 down the stretch last season and will play a bigger role with Wilson Chandler and J.R. Smith stranded in China.

After striking out in their bids for free agents Tyson Chandler and DeAndre Jordan, the Warriors signed Brown to a one-year deal worth $7 million. Widely disparaged as one of the biggest draft busts of all time, the former No. 1 pick is still just 29 and coming off his best season with the Bobcats. If he can be a solid interior presence for the defensively challenged Warriors, he can take another step toward repairing his reputation

On February 24, 2011 at the NBA trade deadline, Thabeet was traded to the Houston Rockets along with a first round pick in exchange for Shane Battier. The 7-foot-3 Thabeet was the No. 2 pick of the 2009 draft but has already been written off as a bust. Sent to the D-League and then shipped to the Rockets, Thabeet has no discernible offensive skills and is a foul machine on defense. But he's still 7-3. If he can block shots and protect the rim (maybe a Dikembe Mutombo Light?)Houston has the other parts necessary to be a playoff team.
 

In the 2011-12 NBA season Jordan switched his jersey number from 9 to 6.[18] On December 25, 2011, Jordan had a career high of 8 blocks against the Golden State Warriors in an opening day 105-86 victory. The additions of Chris Paul and Chauncey Billups should ensure a playoff spot for the Clippers. Whether they become a true title contender may depend on Jordan, 23, the league's most athletic center other than Dwight Howard. Though he averaged just 7.1 points and 7.2 rebounds, LA matched Golden State's $43 million offer sheet because of his potential as a dominant defender. With no other center on the roster, the Clippers need him to develop quickly.
 

On July 1, 2010, Gay re-signed with the Memphis Grizzlies for a contract worth $82 million over 5 years. Gay is the Grizzlies' most athletic and highly paid player, so it raised eyebrows when Memphis thrived in his absence late last season. The franchise earned its first playoff series win without him, leading to questions about Gay's true value to the team. That's why it's up to the 25-year-old small forward to prove he can make Memphis even better, possibly by deferring to Zach Randolph as the team's go-to scorer.
 

n July 12, 2010, Haslem re-signed with the Heat. He would have received nearly $10 million more if he were to sign with the Dallas Mavericks or Denver Nuggets. Why weren't the Heat a dominant team last season, even with the Big Three? One reason is the absence of Haslem, who missed all but 13 regular-season games with a foot injury. Though he returned late in the playoffs, he wasn't himself, and Miami missed his toughness, rebounding, defense, midrange jumpers and leadership. If he brings all of those elements for a full season, no sure thing at the age of 31, the Heat may have everything they need to win a title.

He was named to the 2009–10 All-NBA Third Team following this breakout season and became the first Australian to earn All-NBA honours. Bogut broke his right hand and dislocated his right elbow in a horrible fall during a game two seasons ago. He played last season with limited use of his right arm and still averaged a double-double while leading the league in blocks. If he's close to full strength this season, he could easily be an elite center again and lead the Bucks to the playoffs.