The East has at all times been the NBA’s maligned convention, and this season could be the obvious instance of that.
It will be stunning if the 2026 champs got here from one in all these groups, and Giannis is the one high 6-7 participant that resides on this aspect of the bracket.
Nonetheless, many revamped groups are hoping to make a deep run this season, though the names on the high stay acquainted.
Finals contenders: groups that may make the finals however are unlikely to win all of it
Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks
It’s not an accident that there aren’t any championship contenders listed right here. The Cavs and Knicks might be regular-season juggernauts that flirt with 60 wins, however neither Jalen Brunson nor Donovan Mitchell are adequate to beat Denver or OKC in a possible finals matchup. Within the East, although, these are clearly the 2 favorites, with Cleveland seeking to show that they’re not paper tigers whereas New York tries to create a brand new identification beneath Mike Brown.
The darkish horses: groups that might make the convention finals if the whole lot breaks proper
Orlando Magic and Atlanta Hawks
Two of probably the most improved groups from the offseason, the Magic and Hawks have the potential to hold with NY/Cleveland however are much less confirmed. For Orlando, Jalen Suggs must make a full comeback, and Paolo and Franz should enhance their scoring effectivity. In the meantime, the Hawks’ greatest hurdle isn’t potential, however moderately availability: Jalen Johnson and Kristaps Porzingis mixed to play simply 78 video games final season and each did not exceed 60 video games the earlier marketing campaign. One in all these groups could have the whole lot break proper for them, and the East might be a 3 horse race on the high.
Playoff hopefuls: groups in competition for a high 6 seed
Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors, Milwaukee Bucks
Final 12 months’s feel-good story, the Pistons will likely be within the hunt for one more playoff berth even when their growth stagnates. Shedding Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr. hurts a crew whose greatest flaw is capturing, however the addition of Duncan Robinson and inside enchancment from Ausar Thompson ought to preserve Detroit aggressive. On the opposite aspect of the Nice Lakes, Toronto might shock and end with a top-6 seed. The Raptors have some talent redundancies, however their expertise is simple, with each Brandon Ingram and Immanuel Quickley wholesome to start out the season.
After all, the Milwaukee Antetokounmpos Bucks reside and die with Giannis. The Greek Freak is undeniably one of the best participant within the convention and his singular greatness ought to drag Milwaukee into the playoffs. If he misses any prolonged time, effectively, simply don’t search up the Bucks’ depth chart.
Play-in fodder: groups who will end within the 7-10 vary
Miami Warmth, Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Boston Celtics
So far as the Bulls and Warmth are involved, the East (play-ins) run by means of them. Miami is with out Tyler Herro to start out the season, however additionally they received’t go 13-23 in clutch video games once more, nor will they’ve Jimmy Buckets attempt to dismantle your entire group. The Bulls, in the meantime, will proceed attempting to chase their private championship, which is to complete with 38-40 wins for a fourth consecutive season.
What’s modified this 12 months is the uncertainty surrounding Indiana and Boston, two perennial playoff groups that’s been ravaged by harm. Even with out their finest gamers, I respect the infrastructure and tradition of each organizations an excessive amount of to drop them out of the play-in combine. A possible Tatum return might even make Boston a nightmare postseason matchup, though it’s too early to foretell that occuring.
The Sixers: umm… belief the method?
Critically, what are we speculated to do with Philly? They may end within the top-6 or be on the backside of the convention, and neither end result would shock me. The times of Joel Embiid and Paul George taking part in 60+ video games are over, but when each go well with up for 40, this crew might nonetheless make the playoffs outright. Final 12 months’s catastrophe might additionally repeat itself, and provided that their title window is closed, the Sixers’ most necessary growth is of their younger guys moderately than the well being of their growing older “stars.”
Tankapalooza: fairly self-explanatory
Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets
Who will win extra video games this 12 months: the Nets, Wizards, and Hornets mixed, or simply the Thunder? If I needed to decide, it could be the latter.
Nonetheless, there are issues to observe with every of those groups. Brooklyn and Washington might have gamers who might be dangled on the deadline, similar to CJ McCollum, MPJ, Cam Thomas, and Nic Claxton. Charlotte can be nonetheless determining if LaMelo is a successful participant, and if Brandon Miller makes an All-Star leap, the Hornets might be extra reticent on lastly transferring the youngest Ball brother.
