Editor's note: This is the second of a series in which PBN offers a detailed division-by-division look at the offseason. Today: Chris Bernucca breaks down the Southeast. Also see: Atlantic.

ATLANTA HAWKS

Makeover mandate: Take the next step

Smartest move: Jamal Crawford cost next to nothing, is a huge upgrade at combo guard and gives the Hawks great flexibility. Say whatever you want about Crawford's game; he averages 20 points and four assists, and trading for him gave the team leverage in dealing with Mike Bibby.

Biggest setback: Flip Murray won't be back. In the grand scheme of things, not really a big deal. But we've always liked Murray's nose for the rim from both backcourt spots.

Feeling the draft: Jeff Teague went 19th and replaces Acie Law as the point guard of the future who watches and learns. Second-round pick Sergei Gladyr can shoot but will continue to do it overseas for now.

Summer fun: In a cost-cutting move, the Hawks didn't have a summer league team, so Teague's only on-court action was a mini-camp. With Crawford, Bibby and Joe Johnson all capable of running the offense, it's not a big issue.

Sleeper move: Re-signing backup center Zaza Pachulia was a smart decision. He led the Hawks in rebounds per minute and gives them a bigger look when he spots Al Horford, who can slide to power forward.

Biggest risk: The Hawks didn't overpay for Bibby. But if he remains the starter, he may be in the way of both Crawford and Teague. When you look at the rest of the roster, this team might need a few more basketballs.

Vacancies: The Hawks have two or possibly three roster spots left. They need a big man (Jason Collins? Melvin Ely?) and could use a true small forward who can defend (Rodney Carney?).

Overall grade: A. The Hawks moved closer to the East's elite and further from the middle of the pack.

ORLANDO MAGIC

Makeover mandate: Stay on top

Smartest move: By trading for Vince Carter, the Magic made a pre-emptive move to deal with the eventual departure of Hedo Turkoglu. Some say Carter isn't as much of a playmaker as Tukoglu, but he is a better scorer who can still take over games and will be rejuvenated by playing for a contender.

Biggest setback: Turkoglu presented matchup problems for opponents and will be missed when the Magic run their pick-and-roll offense with Jameer Nelson either off the ball or on the bench. But Orlando also has other options it did not have last season.

Feeling the draft: The Magic did not have a draft pick. Whoop-de-damn-do.

Summer fun: The Magic hosted the smaller summer league and had a number of players give nice performances. Second-year forward Ryan Anderson, acquired in the Carter trade, averaged 21.4 points and a league-high 9.4 rebounds. Former D-League MVP Kasib Powell, a small forward, averaged 14.8 and 5.8.

Sleeper move: While the world waited for GM Otis Smith to make a decision on Marcin Gortat, he swooped in and signed Dallas free agent Brandon Bass to a four-year, $18 million deal. Bass is a conventional power forward, which the Magic have not had in a while. He has an elbow jumper, makes his free throws and defends the post.

Biggest risk: Matching the five-year, $33 million offer Dallas gave Gortat could get hairy. Gortat made no secret of his disappointment in remaining Dwight Howard's backup, and his salary really is doubled because Orlando is over the luxury tax threshold. Smith can't trade him until December 15, which he might have to do if the "Polish Hammer" keeps grumbling about the lack of playing time.

Vacancies: The Magic could add three more players but likely will only add one, probably a guard. They made inquiries about C.J. Watson but are out of exceptions. Powell could stick on a minimum salary.

Overall grade: A. They will need time to mesh, so they will be better in April than they are in December. And don't be surprised if they're playing in June again.

WASHINGTON WIZARDS

Makeover mandate: Add help to health

Smartest move: Forget the players. GM Ernie Grunfeld's best move was hiring Flip Saunders as coach. Saunders has won at last 47 games in each of his last eight full seasons. He has diverse offensive sets that confuse foes and has been among the best at strategically deploying zone defenses to hide deficiencies or harass opponents.

Biggest setback: Trading the fifth pick in the draft - a high slot they may not have again for a while - and watching potential game-changer Ricky Rubio drop to that spot. If Rubio becomes as special as his proponents say he will, Grunfeld and the Wizards will be second-guessed for a long time.

Feeling the draft: Washington used the second pick of the second round on Jermaine Taylor, then sold him to Houston for $2.5 million.

Summer fun: In Las Vegas, the Wizards ran more structured sets than oter teams, having Javaris Crittenton come off pick-and-roll action with JaVale McGee and Andray Blatche, and Nick Young pop off pindowns. The only young Wizard who did not play well was Dominic McGuire.

Sleeper move: Does anyone trade young, unproven talent for established players better than Grunfeld? He moved Devin Harris for Antawn Jamison, who became an All-Star. He moved Kwame Brown for Caron Butler, who became an All-Star. Now he has moved the No. 5 pick and spare parts for Mike Miller, a former Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man Award winner, and combo guard Randy Foye. They combined to average 26.2 points and 8.8 assists last season, and their willingness to move the ball will fit on a team loaded with scorers.

Biggest risk: There are a lot of rotation players who either want or need the ball and they all may be deferring to Gilbert Arenas, who has played just 15 games the last two seasons and is an old 27. When healthy, Arenas is a singular talent, but he dominates the ball and often plays as if he has something to prove. That will have a negative impact on team cohesion and the development of the youngsters.

Vacancies: The Wizards could use another big man, preferably one who plays forward and center. But they are over the luxury tax and would probably be limited to a minimum-level addition.

Overall grade: B. The Wizards will be the NBA's most improved team by wins. It remains to be seen if they can get out of the first round.

Makeover mandate: Playoffs or bust

Smartest move: The swap of Emeka Okafor for Tyson Chandler will save $40 million in long-term salary and makes the Bobcats much more attractive to a prospective buyer, which owner Bob Johnson is looking for.

Biggest setback: You would think will all of the trades the Bobcats have made over the last year that they would have added a scorer by now. With two minutes left in a tie game, who is getting the ball?

Feeling the draft: Perhaps No. 12 pick Gerald Henderson can provide some scoring from shooting guard. Small forward Derrick Brown was grabbed at No. 40.

Summer fun: The Bobcats didn't field a summer team, assigning Henderson to Minnesota and Brown to Utah. Henderson went scoreless in one game, had a DNP in another and averaged just 6.0 points. Brown got more run with Utah and actually led the team with 12.6 points.

Sleeper move: If Chandler can remain healthy - and remember, last season's absence was due to an ankle, not the toe that scuttled the Oklahoma City trade - the Bobcats could be a top defensive team. Gerald Wallace, Raja Bell and DeSagana Diop all are solid defenders, and Chandler's ability to protect the rim will cover for perimter mistakes.

Biggest risk: The Bobcats could be alienating restricted free agent point guard Raymond Felton with their stance. Ultimately, an impasse would force Felton to take the qualifying offer, which would put the ball in the hands of a potentially bitter player looking for his next contract.

Vacancies: The Bobcats have just four guards on the roster and definitely need a combo guard. Larry Brown has talked about playing Chandler at power forward, but Charlotte could use another one of those, too. And whoever they add should be able to score a little.

Overall grade: D. Other East playoff hopefuls have taken much better steps than the Bobcats.

MIAMI HEAT

Makeover mandate: Dwyane's world

Smartest move: Re-signing Joel Anthony was not exactly earth-shattering, but the undersized center provides burst of energy and blocked shots for a team lacking in both areas.

Biggest setback: There's a lot of offseason left, and Pat Riley's ability to make a blockbuster should not be overlooked. But the inability thus far to land either Carlos Boozer or Lamar Odom hurts Miami's on-court product and off-court courtship of Dwyane Wade and other free agents next summer.

Feeling the draft: The Heat didn't have a first-round pick, traded No. 43 selection Marcus Thornton for a pair of future second-rounders, acquired guard Patrick Beverley in a trade and grabbed Robert Dozier with the draft's last pick.

Summer fun: The Heat opted against picking up the cost for a summer league team, even though Anthony, Daequan Cook, Michael Beasley and Mario Chalmers all could have used another session.

Sleeper move: We're still waiting for one.

Biggest risk: If the Heat don't add at least a rotation player, they may be worse than they were last season. That won't keep Wade, who can sign an extension right now but already has declared he wants to see pieces added that help the Heat compete for a championship. All that 2010 salary cap room compiled by Riley will mean nothing.

Vacancies: The two current roster spots could be filled by Beverley and Dozier or free agents. The Heat need frontcourt scoring and a skilled swingman.

Overall grade: F. It's hard to imagine Wade still here a year from now.

Chris Bernucca has covered the NBA since 1996 and is a regular contributor to Pro Basketball News. You can disagree with him at cbernucca@comcast.net.

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