LeBron James' pending free agency will be the talk of the NBA this season. Knicks fans and others will be salivating at the prospect of adding King James to their team's roster.

But for one more season, at least, James will be in Cleveland — meaning the Cavaliers are still the team to beat in the Central Division, the Eastern Conference and maybe even the entire NBA.

With perhaps just one last shot at a title, the Cavaliers brass took a high-risk, high-reward chance by adding past-his-prime big man Shaquille O'Neal to the roster. He may be exactly what the Cavs need to get past Orlando in the East.

Then again, adding O'Neal could be a huge mistake for a team that finished with the best record in basketball a season ago. The Suns certainly took a step backward upon Shaq's arrival a couple of years ago.

Elsewhere in the Central, the Bulls seem to be getting better, the Pistons getting worse with the Pacers and Bucks treading water.

Here is a team-by-team look at the Central Division in predicted order of finish:

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS

Last season: 66-16, lost to Orlando in the Eastern Conference finals

Top player: F LeBron James (28.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 7.2 apg)

Supporting cast: G Mo Williams (17.8 ppg, 4.1 apg, 3.4 rpg), C Shaquille O'Neal (14.1 ppg, 9.3 rpg), G Delonte West (11.7 ppg, 3.5 apg), F Anderson Varejao (8.6 ppg, 7.2 rpg)

Bottom line: O'Neal says he's content being the second banana to James and he does have plenty of championship experience, having won titles with both the Lakers and Heat. Mike Brown's team may not win 66 games in the regular season again, but it should be better able to slow down Dwight Howard and the Magic in the playoffs this time with Shaq's help.

CHICAGO BULLS

Last season: 41-41, lost to Boston in the first round of the playoffs

Top player: G Derrick Rose (16.8 ppg, 6.3 apg, 3.9 rpg)

Supporting cast: G John Salmons (18.3 ppg, 4.2 rpg), F Luol Deng (14.1 ppg, 6.0 rpg), F Tyrus Thomas (10.9 ppg, 6.4 rpg)