CENTRAL DIVISION

1. Detroit Pistons

Outlook: Ben Wallace’s departure hurts. Eventually the incredibly long run of injury luck has to end, and there’s not enough depth to sustain it. But with Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince and Rasheed Wallace, the Pistons still have enough for one more run.

Projected starters: G Chauncey Billups; G Richard Hamilton; F Tayshaun Prince; F Rasheed Wallace; C Nazr Mohammed

2. Chicago Bulls

Outlook: It’s tempting to say these are the new Pistons, except Detroit had more scoring options than this. A deadline deal for a scorer might be necessary.

Projected starters: G Ben Gordon; G Kirk Hinrich; F Luol Deng; F P.J. Brown; C Ben Wallace

3. Cleveland Cavaliers

Outlook: Still not clear where the shooting will come from among the regulars unless Damon Jones and Donyell Marshall can regain their stroke. That’s about the only glaring weakness behind LeBron James.

Projected starters: G Eric Snow; G Larry Hughes; F LeBron James; F Drew Gooden; C Zydrunas Ilgauskas

4. Indiana Pacers

Outlook: Al Harrington is a nice player, not a star. Jermaine O’Neal and Jamaal Tinsley can’t stay healthy. Stephen Jackson can’t stay out of trouble. Indiana finally falls out of contention.

Projected starters: G Jamaal Tinsley; G Stephen Jackson; F Danny Granger; F Al Harrington; C Jermaine O’Neal

5. Milwaukee Bucks

Outlook: The Bucks figure to join the small-ball trend and, like most, they’ll have to figure out how to defend inside. That task got harder for Milwaukee with Andrew Bogut (leg) expected to miss the first month or so.

Projected starters: G Mo Williams; G Michael Redd; F Ruben Patterson; F Charlie Villanueva; C Dan Gadzuric