The Southwest Division may be the most competitive division in basketball this season. With major moves from the Rockets and Pelicans, the division is up for grabs. The Spurs and Grizzlies (last year’s Western Conference Finals match-up) essentially kept their roster intact, making only minor moves that will only make them better. In projected order, a prediction of the most difficult division in the NBA:

1) San Antonio Spurs

Biggest Addition: Marco Belinelli 

Biggest Loss: Gary Neal

The Spurs basically traded one sharpshooter for another this offseason, so not much will change with them. Coach Gregg Popovich will run the team the same way he has over the past decade, and Duncan, Parker and Ginobili will be at the helm. Although he is a year older, Duncan is still a top power forward in the league and after watching him last season, you wouldn’t even know that he is in his 16th season. Kawhi Leonard will continue to guard the opponen'ts best player and continue improving on offense. After his record three-point shooting series against the Heat last season, Danny Green is now ready to step into a bigger role as the aging stars will need some more help. Fifty-win campaigns are almost guaranteed with the Spurs, and it's hard to see much changing this season.

Prediction: 56-26 

2) Houston Rockets

Biggest Addition: Dwight Howard 

Biggest Loss: Carlos Delfino 

The Rockets immediately became a contender when Dwight Howard decided to leave the Lakers and join James Harden and Chandler Parsons in Houston. Howard gives them the dominant post presence and shot-blocking ability that was missing last season with Omer Asik as the starter. Although they are still somewhat weak at the point guard position with Jeremy Lin, Patrick Beverley has proved that he can be a lockdown defender that they will need come playoff time. Parsons will take a huge step forward this season, as the attention of other teams will be on Howard and Harden. Could we possibly see Kobe/Shaq Part 2 with Harden and Howard? It might not be that dominant, but the two will be a very dangerous combination that can take the Rockets deep into the playoffs. 

Prediction: 54-28 

SEE ALSO: 2013-14 NBA Atlantic Division Preview

3) Memphis Grizzlies 

Biggest Addition: Mike Miller 

Biggest Loss: Lionel Hollins 

The Grizzlies didn’t do much this offseason besides the addition of Mike Miller. Three years ago, this would have been a great move, but Miller has been ridden with injuries the past year and a half and is nowhere near the same player he once was. He can still be a spot-up shooter for this team, which they were missing last year. It will be interesting to see how the Grizz work without Lionel Hollins. His replacement, Dave Joerger, has been with the franchise for the past six seasons, so there shouldn’t be too much of a difference in style of play. Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph have been arguably the best PF/C combo the past few seasons, while Mike Conley Jr. has stepped up to an elite level. Look for the Grizzlies to continue to be one of the best defensive teams in the league and make another solid run in the playoffs. 

Prediction: 51-31  

4) New Orleans Pelicans

Biggest Additions: Tyreke Evans, Jrue Holiday 

Biggest Loss: Greivis Vasquez 

Not only did the Pelicans change their name, they also revamped their entire roster. The Eric Gordon/Tyreke Evans/Jrue Holiday dynamic should be interesting to watch. They were one of the slowest and worst defensive teams in the league last year, which should change with these additions. The Pelicans will be a high-octane team that can score the ball from every position. Anthony Davis will become an All-Star this season, but the team's lack of postseason experience will mean an early playoff exit. 

Prediction: 43-39 

5) Dallas Mavericks

Biggest Additions: Monta Ellis, Jose Calderon 

Biggest Loss: O.J. Mayo 

After losing the Dwight Howard sweepstakes, the Mavericks find themselves in a very rough position this season. They picked up a volume shooter in Monta Ellis and return Dirk Nowitzki, but outside of those two, there is not much offense from this team. Calderon brings some scoring and playmaking ability to the team, but this roster is also awful defensively. This is what happens when you sign players to one-year deals and fail to land the offseason’s biggest free agent.  

Prediction: 36-46

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