Kenny breaks out his pole and mockingly reels in another catch on Inside the NBA after a playoff team gets shown the exit, but there is some truth to his schtick. After training camp, an 82-game grind and an audition for the LOB Trophy, most teams have a good idea where they stand and what they need to do to improve. The offseason leaves these playoff teams plenty of time to go fishin’—for improvement.

Denver Nuggets

Free Agents: Anthony Carter, Yakhouba Diawara (R), Allen Iverson (early termination option), Eduardo Najera, J.R. Smith (R)
2008 draft selections: No. 20
Needs: true point guard, physical low-post presence, defensive stopper

The Nuggets are another team on the brink of needing to shuffle the deck and trying a new hand. There’s no doubting the scoring potential whenever Carmelo and AI are on the floor together (especiall when teamed with J.R. Smith and Linas Kleiza), but as has been proven the past few postseasons, win championships a wholly offensive approach does not. Despite recent rumors that Melo might get shipped elsewhere, it’s probably for the best if he stays put. He probably knows just as well as the rest of us that this offseason will be important in showing the maturation necessary to prove he can be the face of a franchise for the next decade. And even though AI has an opt-out clause, it’s farfetched to think anyone would offer him more money than he could make in Denver next season. As such the Nuggets are in a better state than, say, Dallas, but there is fixin’ to do. First, they should try to draft a future replacement for Marcus Camby. Yes, the Camby Man was First Team All-Defense last season, but he is also 34. A DeAndre Jordan or JaVale McGee would reap the benefits of learning under him to take over the middle in a few years. And while Anthony Carter was very serviceable as the 1 last year, Denver could use the true point it has lacked since Andre Miller last suited up for them. On the defensive side of the ball, vast improvements need to be made. Kenyon Martin and Camby are solid down low, but the Nuggets must get a perimeter stopper to keep up with the Kobes and T-Macs of the West. And last but not least, re-up for Smith and give him 30 minutes a night. It will be well worth it.

Phoenix Suns

Free Agents: Gordan Giricek, Grant Hill, Linton Johnson, Sean Marks, Eric Piatkowski, Brian Skinner
2008 draft selections: No. 15, No. 48
Needs: athletic small forward, defensive mindset

The Suns should have a lot of roster space entering the summer, with six free agents on the roster (the most notable being Grant Hill), but more paramount is their head-coaching situation. Phoenix tabbed Detroit assistant coach Terry Porter to replace Gotham-bound Mike D’Antoni. Coming from Motown, one would certainly expect a more defensive-minded approach than the famed “seven seconds or less” shootout D’Antoni became famous for. In light of this decision, we don’t see the Shaq trade as a mistake; he can serve as a defensive anchor in the paint for a good 20 to 25 minutes a night if he stays healthy. Of course, his age (a very old-looking 36) is certainly worrisome, considering the team’s other former MVP, Steve Nash, will also be in his mid-30s by the All-Star break. While the Suns’ third stud, Amaré Stoudemire, somewhat offsets those concerns with his youth, unless he develops some kind of commitment to defense he will hurt not only his own star but also the potential of this team. As for the rest of the roster, the Suns need to decide if they want to bring back Hill. If they do, it will mean having three starters whose basketball careers began in the ’90s. As versatile as Hill may be, trying to get younger at the 3 spot might be the wiser route. There is some talent to be had there in the draft, and at No. 15 the Suns aren’t buried too deep. But it will take some front-office savvy to toe the line of retooling and making one last run at a title with Nash at the helm.

Toronto Raptors

Free Agents: Primoz Brezec, Jose Calderon (R), Carlos Delfino (R), Rasho Nesterovic
2008 Draft selections: No. 17
Needs: interior scoring, rebounding, defining roles

It must’ve been tough for Chris Bosh in ’07-08 being the only starter who averaged more than five rebounds a game. Bosh’s 8.7 average paced the team, but with a supporting cast consisting of quick-but-small guards and spot-up shooters, Toronto managed only 40.1 boards a game, bettering only the lowly Miami Heat—a team that finished with only 15 wins. The Raptors simply lack size. The team’s two seven-footers, Andrea Bargnani and Rasho Nesterovic, are not at all bangers; the former even spends the majority of his time 15-plus feet from the basket. The return of Jorge Garbajosa will help in the dirty work department of boards and hustle (he was limited to only seven games last season due to a lingering ankle injury), but Toronto still needs to shore up their frontline. The Raptors’ primary strength is shooting, and they have an embarrassment of riches in that area. The quartet of Jason Kapono, Anthony Parker, Jose Calderon and Carlos Delfino last season combined for 43 percent shooting from three. But the other brewing problem is the point guard conundrum between Calderon and T.J. Ford. Calderon is selfless in pursuit of Ws, having bowed out of the starting gig he claimed from Ford when losses were piling up late in the season. The super-efficient Calderon is a restricted free agent, so the Raptors may be forced to make a tough decision here. If they can parlay the odd man out into a big man and focus on adding bulk in the draft, the Raptors likely will see some improvement next season.

Dallas Mavericks

Free Agents: Malik Allen, Jose Juan Barea (R), Devean George, Juwan Howard, Eddie Jones, Tyronn Lue, Jamaal Magloire, Antoine Wright
2008 draft selections: No. 51
Needs: youth, athletic reserves, new team mentality

There are only four ’80s babies currently on the Dallas roster, and that hurt them when they faced the younger, fresher Hornets in the First Round. But with a glut of large contracts and long-term commitments, it’s hard to envision much tweaking of this roster heading into next season. Dirk Nowitzki is the cornerstone of this franchise, and someone would have to offer Mark Cuban a whole fleet of private jets (as if he needs them) to trade the former MVP. The same goes for Jason Kidd, whom many believe Dallas mortgaged their future for last season. Now, those two are two of the best pieces in the League to build around (just ask the Nets about the Kidd effect), but it will not be enough to contend with the Lakers, Hornets, Jazz and other powers out West. Josh Howard should continue to star in Big D and Jason Terry is always reliable for at least 15, but many of those aforementioned squads still have more athleticism, and that is what Dallas is lacking. The pickup of Brandon Bass last season was a good start, but they need some new legs to energize the aging vets for 15 to 20 minutes a night. Though they will keep a few of their free agents, none of the guys eligible this year can help in that department if they are brought back next season. And with only a second-round pick in the Draft, more than anything Dallas needs new head coach Rick Carlisle to change the culture of things in the Lone Star State. He needs to get this team to play with a noticeable edge, a chip on its shoulder, or else this team will simply be outgunned from the get-go. If that’s the case, it could be only a matter of time before Dallas faces a fate similar to its ’06 Finals counterparts, the Miami Heat.

Washington Wizards

Free Agents: Gilbert Arenas (player option), Antawn Jamison, Roger Mason
2008 Draft selections: No. 18, No. 47
Needs: low-post scoring, interior size

The Washington Wizards have zero problems this offseason—which is to say they have a huge dilemma. With their best player and box-office draw Gilbert Arenas opting out of his contract, as he said he would, everything the front office wants and needs to do hinges on #0’s decision. Washington also has to decide if Antawn Jamison is worth the big contract and commitment he’s seeking as an unrestricted free agent. Gil has said that if he leaves, it will be because the front office decides to cut ties with Jamison—breaking up the Wizards talented threesome (Caron Butler being the third) and likely sending the Wizards into a rebuilding phase. But if Washington decides to keep all three, they’re in pretty good shape but still need re-tooling. The obvious hole is in the middle. As good as Washington’s center troika is, it relies far too much on jumpers and dribble penetration. To top it off, four of the next top five scorers on the team are guards (DeShawn Stevenson, Roger Mason, Antonio Daniels and Nick Young). In order to keep defenses in check, Washington needs to diversify their offense. Their flex offense masks their interior shortcomings, but in the playoffs, teams have ignored their thin frontline and clamped down on their perimeter players. Other than Brendan Haywood, whose scoring mostly consists of putbacks, the Wizards lack options in the paint. Looking for help in the free-agent market might be tough given the likely aforementioned re-signings. And with two mid-round picks, the chances of using the draft to shore up are slim. The Wizards’ best hope to get bigger is some creative maneuvering by way of trades.

Houston Rockets

Free Agents: Carl Landry (R), Dikembe Mutombo, Steve Novak (R)
2008 draft selections: No. 25, No. 54
Needs: Third scoring option, power forward, veteran leader

For most of the winter we kept expecting the Rockets to lose, but they refused to do so for 22 straight games. It took surprising strength in character, something we definitely did not expect after Yao went down for the season only eight games into the streak. Are they better than we thought? That remains to be seen. While they have the proven scoring star, a franchise center and a supporting cast that gives 100 percent every night, the Rockets most certainly relied on overachievement and maxed-out efforts from their glut of role players. Can that be replicated this season, and is it enough though to get past the First Round? We’ll give them a pass since Yao was injured, but the window may be closing on the T-Mac/Yao experiment. But this could be an easier fix than expected. Luis Scola should become more of a force next year (he grew more assertive as the season wore on) and Shane Battier will continue to contribute a little bit of everything. Rafer Alston, Carl Landry and Luther Head know their roles and perform them admirably, but while each one can occasionally put up 20, it would be nice to see a viable third scoring option emerge in Houston. Unfortunately, picking at No. 25 likely won’t produce any Dwyane Wades or Kevin Durants. But they might be able to pick up a bulky forward, someone like Paul Millsap (Joey Dorsey, perhaps?). The Rockets do have five players 6-9 or taller, but Yao, Loren Woods, Steve Novak & Co. are not exactly the most bruising frontline in the League. And while we love Deke—he is as veteran and heady as they come—a Derek Fisher/Sam Cassell wouldn’t hurt coming off the bench to bring them much-needed (successful) postseason experience when the calendar turns to April.

Philadelphia 76ers

Free Agents: Louis Amundson (R), Calvin Booth, Herbert Hill (R), Andre Iguodala (R), Kevin Ollie, Shavlik Randolph (R), Louis Williams (R)
2008 Draft selections: No. 16
Needs: low-post scorer, outside shooting

Even though the Sixers exceeded most people’s expectations this season, they shouldn’t rest on their laurels. The most important decision involves resigning Andre Iguodala. As the team’s best player, it will be crucial for him to return. But management needs to figure out his value. Iguodala’s 20-5-5 statline looks impressive, but he’s not the type of player to carry a team for stretches. He’s more in the mold of a Scottie Pippen: a fantastic talent and an asset to building a winning team, but not a cornerstone player. The other restricted free agent is Louis Williams. Much like Golden State’s Monta Ellis, Williams is an undersized combo guard who has shown gradual improvement since entering the League out of high school. The Sixers can hand the keys to the team to Williams or they can lean on veteran Andre Miller for another season. Miller can still direct an offense and his veteran leadership cannot be discounted on a young team like the Sixers, but at the same time, he’s a valued player who can net some nice building blocks in return. One of the pieces the Sixers absolutely need is a low-post presence. Samuel Dalembert and his double-double notwithstanding, Philly needs a player they can throw the ball down low to. Emerging as a similar player to Iggy (if a little bigger, physically) is Thaddeus Young, the unheralded rookie out of Georgia Tech who made such strides that at the end of the season he was a key playoff cog for the Sixers, averaging 10.2 ppg and 4.5 rpg in just under 27 minutes against a physical Pistons squad. But again, his game is more high-flying energy than brutish post force. Philadelphia also desperately covets some shooters. After trading away Kyle Korver to Utah, the Sixers were left with a void in the three-point shooting department. Aside from Williams’ barely acceptable 36 percent stroke, Philadelphia shot a combined 22 percent from beyond the arc—an unacceptable number by any standard.

Atlanta Hawks

Free Agents: Josh Childress (R), Josh Smith (R), Jeremy Richardson (R), Salim Stoudamire (R), Mario West (R)
2008 draft selections: none
Needs: point guard, center, experience

The fledging Hawks finally look ready to leave their nest and prey on East opponents. After taking the 66-win Celtics to the brink in their first-round series, with a fresh supply of confidence Atlanta appears ready to soar higher next season. The team’s youth and athleticism made Boston look like a reunion of the ‘80s Celtics at times during the series. Assuming they maintain the core of Mike Bibby, Josh Childress, Joe Johnson, Al Horford, Josh Smith and Marvin Williams, the Hawks have the making of a contender, especially considering there’s still untapped upside in each of the latter three. In his first season, Horford gobbled up rebounds (double-digit boards in 43 games) and got better even within his rookie campaign, upping his point and rebound averages in the playoffs against the League’s best defense. Smith once again progressed in his game this season as all signs point to an eventual 20-10 season, with two or three blocks and steals throw in. Williams flashed a reliable jumper out to 15 feet to shed the “just an athletic forward” label. But before we heap too much praise, realize that the Hawks were still a sub-.500  (37-45) team that got into the playoffs because the bottom half of the Eastern Conference was that bad. The Hawks’ greatest strength is a roster full of guys who can do a bit of everything, but what they need is specialization at two pivotal positions. Bibby was a nice midseason pick-up, but for all of his veteran savvy, he’s still not a true point guard, and that is Atlanta’s greatest need. The severely underappreciated Johnson can set the table, but the team still needs a pass-first guard to feed the abundance of capable wing scorers the Hawks have. The other glaring hole is a hoss in the middle. With all respect to our Style Editor, Zaza Pachulia, Atlanta’s glut of forwards all would benefit from a true center who can take on the opposing big man and free them up to spread their wings.

Utah Jazz

Free Agents: Jason Hart, C.J. Miles (R), Paul Millsap (R)
2008 draft selections: No. 23, No. 44, No. 53
Needs: depth, center

Of all the teams gone fishin’, Utah is in the best position. With a young core, a famously steady (if notoriously stodgy) coaching hand, a lack of impending free agents and a handful of draft picks, the Jazz are in good shape to be the next big thing out West. The team has been fortunate enough to follow up a Hall of Fame point guard/power forward duo with a tandem that is almost as good in Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer. Each possesses an impressive inside-outside game, and come playoff time Williams’ array of precision passes and ability to impose his will on the game started to evoke memories of his forebear. But on to the rest of the starting five. Andrei Kirilenko got back to his defensive stopper ways in the playoffs when head coach Jerry Sloan allowed him to roam free; he is also capable of chipping in with double-digit points, six to eight boards and a handful of assists at the offensive end. Memo Okur, while not a traditional center, allows Boozer to operate inside by pulling his man from the paint thanks to a reliable J out to beyond the three-point line. Ronnie Brewer brings unbridled athleticism and sprinkles in solid perimeter defense. The key for Utah is to continue nurturing a bench that has the potential to be one of the League’s best. Paul Millsap, the lone restricted free agent, spells rugged rebounding and gritty defense in two positions. Kyle Korver, a terrific midseason trade (see: the Jazz’ ridonkulous 38-12 post-trade record), is a reliable outside threat. Ronnie Price has the chops to be a quality backup to Williams; C.J. Miles, if re-signed, is a clone of Brewer. Matt Harpring is the tough and scrappy vet off the pine who is only two seasons removed from being a reliable mid-teens scorer. While not necessary, obtaining a defensive-oriented pivot would complement the offensive-minded Okur.

Orlando Magic

Free Agents: Carlos Arroyo, James Augustine (R), Keith Bogans, Keyon Dooling, Maurice Evans, Adonal Foyle, Pat Garrity
2008 Draft selections: No. 22
Needs: depth and experience

This season was a breakthrough for the Magic. For the first time since the Penny/Shaq days, they established consistency in the regular season. The results were a division title followed by advancement to the Conference Semifinals—two big steps for a team still learning how to take that final leap into the elite. Little more needs to be said about Dwight Howard; he has officially taken over as the League’s most dominant big man (a nightly 20-and-14 line with two blocks will do that). The forward duo of Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis was one of the League’s best. While neither guy was a big boardman (which, with Howard in the middle, can be forgiven), each provided valuable spacing with their three-point range. Jameer Nelson displayed flashes of being an adequate starting point, but achieving consistency is still a struggle for him. Nelson’s backcourt mate was a revolving door of Maurice Evans and Keith Bogans, two NBA vagabonds, so developing a shooting guard—especially one with size—will be a priority for the Magic. Another void of note is their lack of a deep bench filled out with role players and specialists. Outside of Keyon Dooling, whenever the Magic’s second unit came in there was a noticeable drop-off in talent.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Free Agents: Devin Brown, Daniel Gibson (R), Dwayne Jones (R), Delonte West (R)
2008 Draft selections: No. 19
Needs: No. 2 scorer, point guard, low-post scoring

The fact that the Cavaliers have gone as far as they have the past two seasons (Finals in ’07, Conference Semis in ’08) is really a testament to LeBron James’ greatness. Especially during the playoffs—when the Wizards and Celtics locked in on #23—the Cavs had few answers beyond James kicking it out to a guy on the perimeter and hoping for the best. Unlike Atlanta, Cleveland is filled with too many one-dimensional players acting like stationary bumpers to LeBron’s pinball. Ben Wallace is no longer the defensive stalwart of old, making him even more of an offensive liability. Joe Smith and Anderson Varejao, they of the superior hustle and energy, do not command much attention on offense. Wally Szczerbiak, Damon Jones, Sasha Pavlovic and Daniel Gibson are mainly just spot-up shooters. Zydrunas Ilgauskas is capable, but at 33 next season, his best years are behind him. Delonte West showed some promise during the Celtics series, but the Cavs need a proven commodity. Baron Davis, if he opts out, would be ideal: a scoring point man who could share some of Bron’s burden. A post threat, be it LBJ developing one or Cleveland brass importing one, also would go a long way toward injecting life into an offense more predictable than a Disney movie.

New Orleans Hornets

Free Agents: Chris Anderson, Ryan Bowen, Melvin Ely, Jannero Pargo, Bonzi Wells
2008 draft selections: No. 27
Needs: perimeter stopper, veteran leader, maturation

Nawlins was a top-five talent last season, but even we were surprised by how close they came to toppling the rest of the beastly West. In the end, their youthful exuberance succumbed to the Spurs’ veteran savvy, and the Bees were sent home with a lot to think about. They needn’t let their playoff exit linger too long, however; they are on the precipice of the Finals, as they’re really missing only two main ingredients. First, they need a player with the kind of postseason experience belonging to each and every player on that Spurs roster. Yes, CP3 and company will be a year wiser, but it would be nice to have that one former champion who can serve as a calming influence and rally the team when they find themselves in the fourth quarter of a tight must-win game—especially on the road, where the Spurs proved them vulnerable. Second, we know Bruce Bowens are hard to come by (and understandably, no one in New Orleans wants to root for him right now), but they could use a player with his defensive skills. Chris Paul, Tyson Chandler and David West are no slouches by any means, but Mo-Pete and Bonzi could use some help guarding the wings. On paper, Peja, CP, Tyson, West and Peterson might be the most stacked starting five in the League, but it takes more than five to win it all. Of all their free agents, Pargo might be the guy they need back most (especially in light of his flashes of brilliance late in the Spurs series), but it will certainly help if Hilton Armstrong and Julian Wright take similar steps forward next season. They might be the most important pieces in completing the Hornets’ championship puzzle.

San Antonio Spurs

Free Agents: Brent Barry, Michael Finley, Robert Horry, DerMarr Johnson, Damon Stoudamire, Kurt Thomas, Jacque Vaughn
2008 draft selections: No. 26, No. 57
Needs: youth, bench

Besides being an odd-numbered year, the prospects of San Antonio repeating as champs were slim. With a roster of nine players north of 30 in a League that’s getting younger by the Draft, the Spurs were banking on their experience getting them to the promised land. The dream nearly ended at the hands of the youthful Hornets, who forced them to win a Game 7 on the road. Likely taxed by that effort, the Spurs were then shown the exit door by the spry Lakers in convincing form. Everything’s not lost in San Antonio, however. The team still has a solid core, albeit one that is reaching the end of its collective prime. Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili have the benefit of having played six seasons together and being coached by the longstanding Gregg Popovich. What the Spurs need to do to stay in championship form is rebuild the bench. With several 30-something free agents—Barry, Finley, Horry, Stoudamire, Thomas and Vaughn—comprising the second unit, management will have to make some cuts. Our two cents would be to keep Barry and Thomas, but who are we to question the genius of the Spurs organization? We do know unequivocally that the team needs to inject some youth to the mix in order to stay in the hunt.

Detroit Pistons

Free Agents: Walter Herrmann (R), Juan Dixon, Jarvis Hayes, Lindsey Hunter, Theo Ratliff
2008 draft selections: No. 29, No. 59
Needs: greater role for younger players, sharpshooter, big man

Once again the Pistons made the Eastern Conference Finals, and once again they came up short. At times this postseason, they looked like a team lacking in focus, and for a squad noted and even praised for its cohesiveness, it was nowhere to be found when the pressure was on. While some will lay the blame at the feet of former head coach Flip Saunders, it is not as simple as bringing in a new man to call the plays. What Detroit really needs to do is to bump up the minutes of their stars in waiting (Rodney Stuckey, Jason Maxiell, Amir Johnson, et al), so they can not only fully mature but also provide respite for the aging bodies of Chauncey Billups, Rasheed Wallace, Antonio McDyess and Theo Ratliff. They also could use another outside threat; Billups, Wallace, Prince and even Hamilton all can shoot the rock from behind the arc but none are consistently dangerous from deep. Lastly, it wouldn’t hurt if they added another body in the post (Detroit only has one player over 7-0, the seldom-used, very green Cheikh Samb). After Boston disposed of Detroit in six games, it felt as if we were witnessing the end of an era. The Pistons either can acknowledge that their prime is past or inject a much-needed shot of youth to the rotation and rededicate themselves to playing the kind of ball in ’08 that made them champions in ’04.

Los Angeles Lakers

Free Agents: DJ Mbenga (R), Ronny Turiaf (R), Sasha Vujacic (R), Trevor Ariza, Chris Mihm, Ira Newble
2008 Draft selections: No. 58
Needs: Center, true second scoring option, enforcer

Seven months of ecstasy in L.A. evaporated in a matter of two weeks thanks to the Lakers’ arch nemesis, the Boston Celtics. In a series that went six games, Los Angeles never really looked like they would threaten for the chip, and Boston coasted to its 17th banner with an almost 40-point win on June 17. So what went wrong for a team that a majority of prognosticators believed would take home the LOB trophy? Well, there are a few things that can’t be added through free agency, unless some of the Lakers take a trip to the Land of Oz and pick up some heart and courage. Pau Gasol may have been the guy who was the key to the series, even more so than Kobe, but he seemed timid and overwhelmed compared to the intensity of KG and the Celtics. We understand it was his first time past the First Round, but that’s no reason to cower on the biggest stage in the world. The same goes for the rest of the team, including Kobe, who was anything but Jordan-esque in his first trip to the Finals sans Shaq. There are, however, a few realistic things Mitch Kupchak can add to his team that will help them get over the hump next season. The first is to pick up a true center, one with bulk and size who can contain guys like Kendrick Perkins down low. Andrew Bynum will be able to when he’s healthy, but as he continues to spend more time in suits on the bench than in his jersey, it may be time to wonder if he can ever contribute a full 82. Also, L.A. could use a valid second scoring threat alongside Kobe, something Lamar Odom, Sasha Vujacic and Gasol were not able to provide consistently in June. And finally, they could use that enforcer, that P.J. Brown-type guy who simply wouldn’t let his team blow 20-point leads on its own home court. We know Phil Jackson can be a master motivator, but sometimes Zen philosophies aren’t the best answer when your team is about to complete the biggest collapse in Finals history. Once again, it should be an interesting summer in Hollywood.