1. Portland Trail Blazers

This is no "could." The Portland Trail Blazers WILL disappoint in 2015-2016. After Damian Lillard put faith in Rip City with ice in his veins against the Houston Rockets in the playoffs two years ago, the Blazers were ousted by the Memphis Grizzlies in five games last season. Now, the team is without their primary scorer and rebounder, LaMarcus Aldridge. In fact, Lillard is the only starter from a season ago that will be returning with the team for 2015-2016.

Not only that, the NBA just yesterday changed the seeding procedures for the playoffs and will now structure the seeds solely on overall record with no special treatment for division winners. If there is one team this rule will crush, it is the Trail Blazers. Winning the Northwest Division in 2014-2015 put them as a lock for the fourth seed in the postseason even though their 51-31 record was actually the sixth-best in the Western Conference. Nonetheless, the playoffs will be a reach for the Blazers who will surely struggle after a major shakedown this offseason.

2. Brooklyn Nets

The waiving of Deron Williams finally freed the Nets of a failed project at point guard. However, the talent level remaining at the guard position has undoubtedly declined as a result. Jarrett Jack will be the starting point guard, with third-year man, Shane Larkin, serving as his backup. At the other guard is Bojan Bogdanovic, entering his second year in the NBA after being drafted in 2011 out of Yugoslavia. He will be backed by Wayne Ellington, a six-year veteran coming over from the Los Angeles Lakers this summer. Although the Nets still have Brook Lopez, Joe Johnson, and Thaddeus Young, youth will be their biggest downfall in 2015-2016. They were able to squeak into the playoffs last season with an overall record of 38-44, but will struggle in their second season under Lionel Hollins.

3. Washington Wizards

A promising start to the 2014-2015 season faltered in the second half, as the Wizards went 13-15 after the All-Star break. They got out of the first round by surprisingly sweeping the Toronto Raptors and proceeded to take the top-seeded Atlanta Hawks to six games. Looking ahead to this season, the Wiz Kids will be forced to cope with the loss of Paul Pierce, who started 73 games for them last season. Otto Porter will be tasked with filling the void left by Pierce. The 2013 third overall draft pick averaged 6.0 points-per-game in 13 starts last season.

Although the Wizards signed Jared Dudley, who will come in off the bench for Porter, neither will replicate Pierce's production. Down low, head coach Randy Wittman has four aging big men whose production has declined of late. The Wizards will have to rely on John Wall and Bradley Beal more than ever in 2015-2016. But, in an Eastern Conference which improved this offseason, that workload may be a recipe for disaster in Washington.

4. Dallas Mavericks

Mark Cuban had an eventful offseason that did not result in his favor. After a disastrous experiment with Rajon Rondo derailed their 2014-2015 campaign, the team parted ways with the nine-year veteran. The Mavs also lost two other starters to free agency in Monta Ellis and Tyson Chandler. Dallas still appears to be a desirable place to play in the NBA and the Mavs came close to signing DeAndre Jordan this summer.

Even after losing out on the explosive dunker and rim protector, Cuban was able to bring in veteran big men in Zaza Pachulia and JaVale McGee. He also found replacements for Rondo and Ellis, acquiring Deron Williams off waivers and signing Wesley Matthews as a free agent. So while the Mavericks roster remains relevant, age will dictate their success. Dirk Nowitzki turned 37 this summer and is entering his 17th year in the NBA. The future Hall-of-Famer averaged 17.3 points-per-game last season and, barring injury, will pass Shaquille O'Neal for sixth on the all-time scoring list this season. Still, the over-30 factor for this Mavericks team will pin them to the playoff bubble.

5. Miami Heat

Will Dwyane Wade's age and knee problems catch up to him? The 33 year-old was limited to 62 games last season and has never played a full season in his 12-year career. An unfortunate health concern which sidelined Chris Bosh held the Heat out of the postseason last year. Pat Riley was effective this offseason, re-signing Luol Deng, Goran Dragic, and Wade, a Heat-lifer. Erik Spoelstra now has a solid mix of veterans and budding young talents that could allow the Heat to climb the Eastern Conference standings. But with the rest of the pack improving and the health of Wade and Bosh in question, the Heat may ultimately disappoint. An NBA Finals appearance is barely on the distant horizon, so don't get your hopes up.