Leicester Riders head coach Rob Paternostro feels it is a little too early yet to assess how good his side might be.
With seven returning players in his squad of 11, and four new boys, the team really needs to settle in before their potential is known.
"Replacing Drew Sullivan and Jay Couisnard was always going to be very difficult – those are two top guys, and they both played a huge part in what we have achieved at Riders over the last few seasons," said Paternostro.
"Sullivan's record over his career with a number of clubs speaks for itself.
"But Jorge Calvo also played an immense part for us, and injuries aside, Anthony Downing brought some different qualities to the team.
"But I believe we have recruited very well, and then it comes down to chemistry and hard work.
"It is far too early to say who is going to do well in the BBL this season, because there have been plenty of changes going on, but you have to start with the clubs who have been at the top the last few seasons.
"As ever, Newcastle look strong, they have an experienced and talented core group of players, with good pedigrees, which means you are never going too far wrong.
"But until we see some teams in action you are just not going to know."
Paternostro and his team will get their first taste of pre-season action against a Touring USA team this weekend.
"We play these teams every September and they provide some excellent competition," he added.
"They play with a certain up-and-down athletic style, so you pretty much know what you are going to get.
"They will play hard, have big squads where they can rotate players in and out, with loads of individual talent.
"These are guys looking to impress watching scouts and maybe earn a spot with a British or European club, so they will be high energy, and the games are always fun to watch.
"Our challenge will be to work through in a game situation some of the stuff we have been practising, and get the cobwebs out of our system."
Riders will take a step into the unknown next weekend with their inaugural European Club tournament, with two teams from the top leagues in Spain and Belgium coming to Loughborough.
"Everyone in the club is really excited about that, because we know these teams are very good," said Paternostro.
"It will be a huge test for us before the start of the BBL season on September 27.
"But that is a way away for now, so our focus will be getting as much as we can out of the Team USA games."
