The return of LeBron James completely changed the landscape of the NBA’s Central division with the Cleveland Cavaliers immediately climbing to the top while the Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks joined them as the division’s three playoff teams in 2014-15. The Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons have both taken steps towards returning to the postseason over the summer but just like the rest of the league, there is still at least one important hole that every team would like to address before the season. Here is a look at the most pressing needs for each of the five teams from the NBA’s Central division.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Depth Scoring
The Cavaliers depth was tested in last year’s playoffs and while it was criticized it would be hard to find an NBA team that could beat the Golden State Warriors after losing their second and third best players. Cleveland reloaded with the addition of Mo Williams and remember to take into account that both Iman Shumpert and Anderson Varejao will be back. If there is one area where they can upgrade, it would be their depth scoring where they really don’t have enough help in the back court. Williams is a decent piece but Matthew Dellavedova, Joe Harris and James Jones coming off the bench for this team. They need someone more reliable. Hopefully J.R. Smith makes his way back.
Chicago Bulls: A Star Wing
Chicago replaced head coach Tom Thibodeau with Fred Hoiberg but kept their core intact with Derrick Rose, Jimmy Butler, Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol. The biggest question mark will be on the wing where the Bulls will rely on Mike Dunleavy and sophomore Doug McDermott. The Bulls are definitely considered a contender in the Eastern Conference and while they’re a deep, well-rounded team, this is one area of weakness.
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Milwaukee Bucks: 3-Point Shooters
Head coach Jason Kidd deserves a ton of credit for the way he helped turn things around in Milwaukee and the Bucks have assembled a solid roster for him with the addition of Greg Monroe to a team that already features Michael Carter-Williams, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton. One area where they could afford to add to is in the pure three-point shooting department. This is a team that finished 23rd in the NBA with just 6.6 three-pointers made per game. Then they traded away two of their best pure shooters in Jared Dudley and Ersan Ilyasova, who combined to make 2.3 threes out of those 6.6 last season. They could certainly use an upgrade in the sharp shooting department to help stretch the floor.
Indiana Pacers: A Stud Center
Looking back now, it’s amazing to think about how quickly Roy Hibbert fell off in Indiana. After parting ways with him in the offseason as well as both David West and Luis Scola, the Pacers will have a very different look to them down low. Larry Bird has suggested moving Paul George to power forward but right now Myles Turner, Ian Mahinmi and Jordan Hill are the trio that’s contending for the starting center and power forward jobs. Turner looked good in Summer League action but he’s just a rookie while Mahinmi and Hill are nothing better than backups. Indiana is in good position with George Hill at point guard, Monta Ellis at shooting guard and Paul George at small forward but they could definitely upgrade up front.
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Detroit Pistons: A Starting Shooting Guard
The Pistons have banked hard on Andre Drummond and Reggie Jackson being able to lead the franchise but there are obvious concerns about whether either of them can be the best player on a team that makes the playoffs. While they are the cornerstones, the shooting guard position remains a question mark. The team is hoping Kentavious Caldwell-Pope can grow into the role but he’s sputtered so far. Behind him is Jodie Meeks, who is a marginal backup option. The Pistons would benefit from upgrading at the position.
