NBA watchability rankings: Teams 20-11

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.

Check out teams 30-21 in our rankings here.

20. Miami Heat

What’s different? As if Dwyane Wade leaving for his hometown Chicago Bulls weren’t detrimental enough, perennial All-Star Chris Bosh’s career in Miami is likely over as he deals with blood clot issues. Did we mention that veterans Luol Deng and Joe Johnson left in free agency?

Count Blockula: With Wade and Bosh out the door, a large portion of the franchise’s future rests on the broad shoulders of Hassan Whiteside, the 7-foot shot-blocking extraordinaire who has quickly emerged as one of the NBA’s most dominant big men. He hit the double-digit block mark three times in a game last season and led the NBA with 3.7 blocks per game, and you can expect an increased role this year as Miami looks to stay relevant.

Next man up: It's not often that a player taken 40th in the NBA draft is called upon to help fill the void left by the best player in franchise history. Josh Richardson, a 6-6, high-flying shooting guard out of Tennessee, enters his second NBA season ready to play big minutes in the Wade-less backcourt with Goran Dragic, Tyler Johnson and Dion Waiters. He partially tore his medial collateral ligament in early September and might not be 100% for the start of the regular season, but when he’s ready to play, he should be a major contributor.

Chief Justise: Not only did Justise Winslow average the fourth-most minutes per game among rookies last season (25.4), but the 20-year-old ranked 10th in the NBA in fourth-quarter minutes played per game with 9.1. He struggled on the offensive end at times, but he proved to be a hard-nosed defender who played well beyond his years. As a player and a leader, Winslow might have the most room to grow with the departures of Wade, Bosh, Deng and Johnson.

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

(Statistics from 2015-16 season)

• Goran Dragic - Points: 14.1, assists: 5.8, rebounds: 3.8, steals: 1.0, field goal percentage: 47.7%
• Dion Waiters (with Oklahoma City) - Points: 9.8, rebounds: 2.6, assists: 2.0, steals: 1.0, field goal percentage: 39.9%
• Josh Richardson - Points: 6.6, rebounds: 2.1, assists: 1.4, steals: 0.7, field goal percentage: 45.2%
• Justise Winslow - Points: 6.4, rebounds: 5.2, assists: 1.5, steals: 0.9, field goal percentage: 42.2%
• Hassan Whiteside - Points: 14.2, rebounds: 11.8, assists: 0.4, blocks: 3.7, field goal percentage: 60.6%

How good can they be? While they have a handful of young, talented players who could eventually evolve into stars, no team can lose its two most valuable assets and not suffer some drop-off. For just the second time in the past nine years, Miami could miss the postseason.

USA TODAY’s projection: 34-48

19. Atlanta Hawks

What’s different? In comes Dwight Howard, out goes Al Horford. While the latter is the better all-around player at this stage, Howard could be a pleasant surprise for his hometown Hawks. Jeff Teague was sent to Indiana, so Dennis Schroder has the keys to the offense as he enters his fourth NBA season with 16 starts under his belt.

Superman returns? While the fate of a franchise is never as simple as one player, a large portion of the Hawks’ future rests on Howard’s shoulders. He’s not the perennial All-NBA center that he once was, but he's still one of the most gifted big men in the league. Could a change of scenery reignite his career? Or will he continue the downward spiral that began in Orlando and continued with the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets? Either way, Howard and the Hawks should be on the radar.

The rookies: Taurean Prince and DeAndre Bembry — Atlanta’s 12th and 21st draft picks — are both NBA-ready players with the necessary tools to earn playing time right away. With a 6-8 frame and three-and-D capabilities, Prince could thrive in a role similar to the one DeMarre Carroll had two seasons ago, while Bembry’s combination of passing, athleticism and basketball IQ should fit right in with coach Mike Budenholzer’s system.

The $70 million man: If you haven’t heard much about Kent Bazemore — an undrafted, 27-year-old swingman whose claim to fame was a 23-game stint with the Lakers in the 2013-14 season — now’s the time to start listening. After working his way into the starting lineup last year, he emerged as an all-around asset for Atlanta as the team’s fourth scoring option behind Paul Millsap, Teague and Horford, and he was compensated accordingly this summer. He averaged 11.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and made 1.5 three-pointers a game, shooting at 35.7%.

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

• Dennis Schroder - Points: 11.0, assists: 4.4, rebounds: 2.6, steals: 0.9, field goal percentage: 42.1%
• Kyle Korver - Points: 9.2, rebounds: 3.3, assists: 2.1, steals: 0.8, field goal percentage: 43.5%
• Kent Bazemore - Points: 11.6, rebounds: 5.1, assists: 2.3, steals: 1.3, field goal percentage: 44.1%
• Paul Millsap - Points: 17.1, rebounds: 9.0, assists: 3.3, blocks: 1.7, field goal percentage: 47.0%
• Dwight Howard (with Houston) - Points: 13.7, rebounds: 11.8, assists: 1.4, blocks: 1.6, field goal percentage: 62.0%

How good can they be? With the East up for grabs after Cleveland, Atlanta will be right back in the mix, earning its 10th consecutive appearance in the postseason.

USA TODAY'S projection: 48-34

18. Washington Wizards

What’s different? Hired to replace Randy Wittman after the Wizards failed to live up to their lofty expectations, Scott Brooks, the 2009-10 NBA coach of the year, was the highlight of Washington’s offseason. Other than a few additions — center Ian Mahinmi, guard Trey Burke, forward Andrew Nicholson and European standout guard Tomas Satoransky — and the departure of veterans Jared Dudley, Ramon Sessions and Garrett Temple, it was a relatively quiet summer in D.C.

Wall and Beal: Set aside any question marks about the on-court chemistry between John Wall and Bradley Beal. They insist that they have a strong relationship, and there’s no reason to believe differently. But now, with Beal’s five-year, $128 million contract signed, they’re locked in as the two franchise cornerstones in Washington.

New sheriff in town: Brooks has a 338-207 (62.0%) record and led the Oklahoma City Thunder to five postseason appearances and one NBA Finals trip during his seven-year stint. He has a track record of player development (albeit with top-tier talents Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden) and, all in all, should be a significant upgrade over Wittman.

Top-tier tempo: The Wizards ranked second in the league in fast-break points last season with 18.6 a game. The only team ahead of them? The 73-win Golden State Warriors. With the lightning-fast Wall, an elite athlete in Beal and young and hungry Burke, Otto Porter and forward Kelly Oubre — the Wizards are again fully capable of pushing the pace as well as any team. Knowing when to use those capabilities, though, could make all the difference.

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

• John Wall - Points: 19.9, assists: 10.2, rebounds: 4.9, steals: 1.9, field goal percentage: 42.4%
• Bradley Beal (55 games played) - Points: 17.4, rebounds: 3.4, assists: 2.9, steals: 1.0, field goal percentage: 44.9%
• Otto Porter - Points: 11.6, rebounds: 5.6, assists: 1.6, steals: 1.4, field goal percentage: 47.3%
• Markieff Morris (with Phoenix and Washington) - Points: 12.0, rebounds: 5.5, assists: 1.9, steals: 0.9, field goal percentage: 42.5%
• Marcin Gortat - Points: 13.5, rebounds: 9.9, assists: 1.4, blocks: 1.3, field goal percentage: 56.7%

How good can they be? The Wizards should be on the cusp of the postseason this year in an Eastern Conference that figures to have at least a dozen teams vying for playoff spots.

USA TODAY’s projection: 44-38

17. Toronto Raptors

What’s different? Forward Bismack Biyombo cashed in his sizable postseason run and signed a $72 million deal with the Orlando Magic. The Raptors signed Jared Sullinger in his place. It’s a helpful signing, though hardly a game changer.

Prove it was no fluke: Last season was the first time since 2001 that the Raptors advanced past the first round of the playoffs. There were nervous moments, as the Indiana Pacers and Miami Heat each took the Raptors to seven games, but Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan were clutch. Neither was particularly efficient, but both deserve credit for dragging the Raptors to the doorstep of the NBA Finals. Can that pairing, coupled with the nucleus of DeMarre Carroll and Jonas Valanciunas, give the Cavs another run for their money?

The emergence of JV: If last year’s postseason was any indication, Valanciunas is destined for a monster season. Before an ankle injury interrupted his playoffs, he had logged six double-doubles in 10 games, looking at times unstoppable against the Pacers and the Heat. He could be pivotal come May.

The Carroll question: When the Raptors signed Carroll two summers ago, they envisioned getting a lock-down perimeter defender who could stretch the floor. Last season he played sporadically until the postseason while battling a lingering knee injury. His knee is still not 100%, and the Raptors will monitor his minutes accordingly. He said there was no longer swelling, a definite positive, but when, if ever, will his right knee be fully recovered?

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

• Kyle Lowry - Points: 21.2, assists: 6.4, rebounds: 4.7, steals: 2.1, field goal percentage: 42.7%
• DeMar DeRozan - Points: 23.5, rebounds: 4.5, assists: 4.0, steals: 1.0, field goal percentage: 44.6%
• DeMarre Carroll (26 games played) - Points: 11.0, rebounds: 4.7, assists: 1.0, steals: 1.7, field goal percentage: 38.9%
• Jared Sullinger - Points: 10.3, rebounds: 8.3, assists: 2.3, blocks: 0.6, field goal percentage: 43.5%
• Jonas Valanciunas - Points: 12.8, rebounds: 9.1, assists: 0.7, blocks: 1.3, field goal percentage: 56.5%

How good can they be? It doesn’t feel as if the Raptors made any significant improvements, and we saw how thin their frontcourt could be when Valanciunas went down. They could drop off a little but still return to the conference finals.

USA TODAY’s projection: 53-29

16. San Antonio Spurs

What’s different? Tim Duncan’s retirement marked the end of one of the most dominant eras in professional sports history. That’s not to say the Spurs won’t remain one of the NBA’s best, especially with the addition of Pau Gasol, 36, who can be a primary contributor with what he has left in the tank. The Spurs also brought in David Lee and Dewayne Dedmon and stole Dejounte Murray with the 29th pick in the draft.

Kawhi and Co.: The Spurs are now Kawhi Leonard’s team. Coach Gregg Popovich is the mastermind behind it all, and veterans Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, LaMarcus Aldridge and Gasol will be valuable assets to help usher in the new era. But Leonard is the future. A tall order, but one for which he is well-suited.

Quiet. Boring. Beautiful: While Popovich’s system has always been a thing of pure beauty, the Spurs’ style of play has never enticed much of the general public. In a league in which highlight-reel dunks and three-point-centric attacks make for must-see TV, the Spurs — who ranked 26th in pace and 25th in three-pointers made last season — are the furthest thing from sexy. But it works to perfection, year after year.

The frontcourt: Gasol won’t be expected to replace Duncan from a leadership standpoint or on the defensive end, but the savvy Spaniard can still hang with the best of them. Last season with the Chicago Bulls, he ranked fifth among centers in scoring, sixth in rebounding, first in assists and fourth in blocks — numbers that warranted the sixth All-Star selection of his career. With Gasol alongside Aldridge and Leonard, the Spurs should again boast one of the NBA’s most dynamic frontcourts.

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

• Tony Parker - Points: 11.9, assists: 5.3, rebounds: 2.4, steals: 0.8, field goal percentage: 49.3%
• Danny Green - Points: 7.2, rebounds: 3.8, assists: 1.8, steals: 1.0, field goal percentage: 37.6%
• Kawhi Leonard - Points: 21.2, rebounds: 6.8, assists: 2.6, steals: 1.8, field goal percentage: 50.6%
• LaMarcus Aldridge - Points: 19.0, rebounds: 8.5, assists: 1.5, blocks: 1.1, field goal percentage: 51.3%
• Pau Gasol (with Chicago) - Points: 16.5, rebounds: 11.0, assists: 4.1, blocks: 2.0, field goal percentage: 46.9%

How good can they be? While we don’t see the Spurs quietly putting together another 67-win season, expect them to again be next in line behind the Golden State Warriors at the top of the West.

USA TODAY’s projection: 59-23

15. Utah Jazz

What’s different? The Jazz had one of the NBA’s most productive offseasons, acquiring veterans George Hill, Joe Johnson and Boris Diaw to complement their young core while only losing Trey Burke, who didn’t live up to expectations during his three seasons with Utah, and Trevor Booker. You hate to see Burke — a 23-year-old 2013 lottery pick — leave so soon, but both parties should be better off moving forward.

The Stifle Tower: A fan favorite in Salt Lake City, Rudy Gobert is poised for a breakout season in the final year of his rookie contract. The shot-blocking phenom is one of the best rim protectors in the league, and while he might be limited on the offensive end, what’s not to like about a 7-1 defensive stalwart with a record-breaking 7-81/2 wingspan? Keep an eye on him.

Rise of Rodney Hood: The 23-year-old last year bounced back from an injury-marred rookie season (8.7 points in 21.3 minutes; 32 missed games), solidifying his role as the Jazz’s starting shooting guard and the team’s third scoring option behind Gordon Hayward and Derrick Favors. His upward trend is encouraging, and if he can continue to progress in his third season, Utah’s young core (all in their early to mid-20s) paired with the offseason veteran acquisitions should make the Jazz a force to be reckoned with.

Old vs. young: Dante Exum, Utah’s No. 5 overall pick from 2014, is still on tap to be the point guard of the future, but the 21-year-old missed all of last season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Bringing in Hill, 30, a solid, defensive-minded veteran who shot a career-high 40.8% from three-point range last season, to take over the starting duties as floor general while Exum eases back into things was a smart move for the short and long term.

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

• George Hill (with Indiana) - Points: 12.1, assists: 3.5, rebounds: 4.0, steals: 1.1, field goal percentage: 44.1%
• Rodney Hood - Points: 14.5, rebounds: 3.4, assists: 2.7, steals: 0.9, field goal percentage: 42.0%
• Gordon Hayward - Points: 19.7, rebounds: 5.0, assists: 3.7, steals: 1.2, field goal percentage: 43.3%
• Derrick Favors - Points: 16.4, rebounds: 8.1, assists: 1.5, blocks: 1.5, field goal percentage: 51.5%
• Rudy Gobert - Points: 9.1, rebounds: 11.0, assists: 1.5, blocks: 2.2, field goal percentage: 55.9%

How good can they be? After posting a 40-42 record and narrowly missing the playoffs last season, the Jazz could find themselves fighting for home-court advantage come April if they play their cards right.

USA TODAY ’s projection: 47-35

14. Milwaukee Bucks

What’s different? Matthew Dellavedova piqued the Bucks’ interest after his title run with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He could shore up some of the questions revolving around Milwaukee’s point guard situation. They also added stretch forward Mirza Teletovic, who’s coming off a career year with the Phoenix Suns.

Super Freak: Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to resume his role as the team’s primary ballhandler this season. He’s big enough (6-11) to see past almost any defender and athletic enough to blow past any big man attempting to guard him. If teams put smaller, stronger defenders on him, the Bucks can clear out and he’ll post up his defender.

Making up for Middleton: There’s no getting past the loss of starting shooting guard Khris Middleton to a hamstring injury expected to keep him out about six months. His 18.2 points per game led the team last season. Though Dellavedova, a 41% three-point shooter in 2015-16, played an off-ball guard alongside LeBron James last year. The Bucks can rearrange their lineup in a number of interesting ways given their movable pieces. Teletovic broke the NBA record for most three-pointers made by a bench player (181) a season ago, so the Bucks should still be able to stretch the floor. Rookie guard Malcolm Brogdon could also play valuable minutes.

Parker’s revival: Jabari Parker has had a long two years in the NBA after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament early in his rookie season. From his role to his athleticism to his weight, it feels like the former No. 2 overall pick has been unfairly picked apart. Parker averaged 17.5 points over the final three months of the season, never shooting less than 48% in any month.

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

• Matthew Dellavedova (with Cleveland) - Points: 7.5, assists: 4.4, rebounds: 2.1, steals: 0.6, field goal percentage: 40.5%
• Rashad Vaughn - Points: 3.1, rebounds: 1.3, assists: 0.6, steals: 0.4, field goal percentage: 30.5%
• Giannis Antetokounmpo - Points: 16.9, rebounds: 7.7, assists: 4.3, steals: 1.2, field goal percentage: 50.6%
• Jabari Parker - Points: 14.1, rebounds: 5.2, assists: 1.7, blocks: 0.4, field goal percentage: 49.3%
• Miles Plumlee - Points: 5.1, rebounds: 3.8, assists: 0.3, blocks: 0.8, field goal percentage: 60.1%

How good can they be? The Bucks find themselves in the thick of the playoff hunt along with teams like Chicago, New York and Washington.

USA TODAY’s projection: 39-43

13. Oklahoma City Thunder

What’s different? Aside from the departure of Kevin Durant, the Thunder swung big on a draft night trade of Serge Ibaka for Victor Oladipo, Ersan Ilyasova and rookie Domantas Sabonis. This is significant on many levels, but the addition of Oladipo gives Westbrook a lively partner to wreak havoc with on transition breaks.

Westbrook’s edge: Whatever their relationship was before, Westbrook clarified that he and Durant haven’t spoken in months. Westbrook already played with a special kind of abandon, but his dates vs. Golden State will be must-see television. Their first meeting is Nov. 3 in Oakland, and Durant’s first trip back to Oklahoma City is Feb. 11. Westbrook tied Magic Johnson with 18 triple-doubles last season, the highest total of the last 40 years — and that was with Durant. Barring health reasons, does that record even stand a chance?

The Stache Bros: The two players who kept quietly developing last season were Steven Adams, the Thunder’s imposing center, and Enes Kanter, their talented sixth man. Both also happened to sport equally as imposing mustaches. Kanter was significant coming off the bench and could see his playing time increase to around 26 minutes, similar to what he played in Utah. But Adams’ versatility is the key for the Thunder on defense.

A galvanizing force? The Thunder got some relief when Westbrook signed his extension this offseason, and there’s something to be said when a player of his caliber vouches for the team’s direction. They’re not more talented than elite Western Conference teams, but they have a chip on their shoulder unlike any other team. Another Thunder-Warriors postseason matchup would be particularly entertaining.

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

• Russell Westbrook - Points: 23.5, assists: 10.4, rebounds: 7.8, steals: 2.0, field goal percentage: 45.4%
• Victor Oladipo (with Orlando) - Points: 16.0, rebounds: 4.8, assists: 3.9, steals: 1.6, field goal percentage: 43.8%
• Andre Roberson - Points: 4.8, rebounds: 3.6, assists: 0.7, steals: 0.8, field goal percentage: 49.6%
• Ersan Ilyasova (with Orlando and Detroit) - Points: 10.4, rebounds: 5.4, assists: 0.9, blocks: 0.4, field goal percentage: 42.4%
• Steven Adams - Points: 8.0, rebounds: 6.7, assists: 0.8, blocks: 1.1, field goal percentage: 61.3%

How good can they be? The Thunder should finish somewhere around the 45-win mark and can eye a possible second-round matchup against Golden State.

USA TODAY’s projection: 44-38

12. Detroit Pistons

What’s different? Other than re-signing Andre Drummond to a five-year, $125 million-plus max contract on the first day of free agency, it was a quiet summer. The Pistons brought in Ish Smith, who averaged 14.7 points, 7.0 assists and 1.3 steals in 50 games (50 starts) for the Philadelphia 76ers last season, and added Boban Marjanovic and Jon Leuer for frontcourt depth. Their most significant loss was Jodie Meeks, who was limited to three games last season after having foot surgery.

NBA's Mr. October: As he prepares to enter his second season as a starting point guard, does Reggie Jackson — who ranked ninth among the NBA’s floor generals in scoring and 11th in assists last year — have what it takes to insert himself into the elite point guard conversation? He’ll be sidelined early in the season with a knee injury, but for a team aspiring to be a legitimate threat in the East, Jackson needs to take another step forward once he's fully healthy.

KCP: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope made significant progress in each of his first three seasons with Detroit while emerging as a valuable member of the team’s young core. But as the 23-year-old shooting guard enters the fourth and final year of his rookie contract, he has yet to be re-signed, meaning he’ll become a restricted free agent next summer if no agreement is reached by the Oct. 31 deadline.

Big Boban: While his averages of 5.5 points and 3.6 rebounds (albeit in just 9.4 minutes per game) might go unnoticed, Marjanovic’s 7-3, 290-pound frame certainly doesn't. A fan favorite during his lone season with the San Antonio Spurs, the colossal Serbian should be the second center off the bench behind Aron Baynes and, if given substantial playing time, could make a big impact.

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

• Ish Smith (with Philadelphia and New Orleans) - Points: 12.6, assists: 6.5, rebounds: 4.0, steals: 1.1, field goal percentage: 41.1% 
• Kentavious Caldwell-Pope - Points: 14.5, rebounds: 3.7, assists: 1.8, steals: 1.4, field goal percentage: 42.0%
• Marcus Morris - Points: 14.1, rebounds: 5.1, assists: 2.5, steals: 0.8, field goal percentage: 43.4%
• Tobias Harris (with Orlando and Detroit) - Points: 14.7, rebounds: 6.7, assists: 2.2, blocks: 0.5, field goal percentage: 46.9%
• Andre Drummond - Points: 16.2, rebounds: 14.8, assists: 0.8, blocks: 1.4, field goal percentage: 52.1%

How good can they be? The Pistons are coming off their best season since 2007-08, and they're only getting better. It’s not a matter of if they’ll make the playoffs, but how far they’ll go.

USA TODAY’s projection: 46-36

11. Indiana Pacers

What’s different? Team President Larry Bird promoted Nate McMillan, who was an associate for several years under former coach Frank Vogel. Jeff Teague and stretch-four Thaddeus Young were brought in. They also reinforced their frontcourt by bringing in Al Jefferson.

George in his rightful place: The Pacers tried to play Paul George out of position last year, and it didn’t exactly work at times. He’ll be on the wing this year benefiting from Young’s ability to stretch the floor. George also has finally been surrounded with players who play up-tempo and can cater to his athleticism. He hasn’t had a point guard like Teague before. Having come back from his horrific leg injury and winning an Olympic gold medal, George is in line to have a monster year after posting career bests last season.

Can Pacers match expectations? McMillan said the Pacers’ goal is to win the division and then the conference. Bird was chided for making an in-house hire, but by doing so, there’s no learning curve, especially since McMillan has head coaching experience. This is a veteran team that can’t afford to waste time, especially with George in the prime of his career.

At the heart of their philosophy: The Pacers struck gold with their 11th pick in last year’s draft. People within the organization, including George himself, rave about Myles Turner. His combination of size and athleticism make him a matchup nightmare, and he has barely tapped into his potential. He could grow into an All-Star, which would give the Pacers an impressive, fleet-footed triumvirate at their core. Turner’s development is essential to building Indy’s new foundation.

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

• Jeff Teague (with Atlanta) - Points: 15.7, assists: 5.9, rebounds: 2.7, steals: 1.2, field goal percentage: 43.9%
• Monta Ellis - Points: 13.8, rebounds: 3.3, assists: 4.7, steals: 1.9, field goal percentage: 42.7%
• Paul George - Points: 23.1, rebounds: 7.0, assists: 4.1, steals: 1.9, field goal percentage: 41.8%
• Thaddeus Young (with Brooklyn) - Points: 15.1, rebounds: 9.0, assists: 1.9, blocks: 0.5, field goal percentage: 51.4%
• Myles Turner - Points: 10.3, rebounds: 5.5, assists: 0.7, blocks: 1.4, field goal percentage: 49.8%

How good can they be? They jell, they run and they win. They could challenge the Toronto Raptors for the No. 2 seed if everything falls into place.

USA TODAY’s projection: 42-40