The East has always been the NBA’s maligned conference, and this season might be the most obvious example of that.
It would be shocking if the 2026 champs came from one of these teams, and Giannis is the only
top 6-7 player that resides on this side of the bracket.
Still, many revamped teams are hoping to make a deep run this season, although the names at the top remain familiar.
Finals contenders: teams that can make the finals but are unlikely to win it all
Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks
It’s not an accident that there are no championship contenders listed here. The Cavs and Knicks could be regular-season juggernauts that flirt with 60 wins, but neither Jalen Brunson nor Donovan Mitchell are good enough to beat Denver or OKC in a potential finals matchup. In the East, though, these are clearly the two favorites, with Cleveland looking to prove that they’re not paper tigers while New York tries to create a new identity under Mike Brown.
The dark horses: teams that could make the conference finals if everything breaks right
Orlando Magic and Atlanta Hawks
Two of the most improved teams from the offseason, the Magic and Hawks have the potential to hang with NY/Cleveland but are less proven. For Orlando, Jalen Suggs needs to make a full comeback, and Paolo and Franz must improve their scoring efficiency. Meanwhile, the Hawks’ biggest hurdle isn’t ability, but rather availability: Jalen Johnson and Kristaps Porzingis combined to play just 78 games last season and both failed to exceed 60 games the previous campaign. One of these teams will have everything break right for them, and the East could be a 3 horse race at the top.
Playoff hopefuls: teams in contention for a top 6 seed
Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors, Milwaukee Bucks
Last year’s feel-good story, the Pistons will be in the hunt for another playoff berth even if their development stagnates. Losing Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr. hurts a team whose biggest flaw is shooting, but the addition of Duncan Robinson and internal improvement from Ausar Thompson should keep Detroit competitive. On the other side of the Great Lakes, Toronto could surprise and finish with a top-6 seed. The Raptors have some skill redundancies, but their talent is undeniable, with both Brandon Ingram and Immanuel Quickley healthy to start the season.
Of course, the Milwaukee Antetokounmpos Bucks live and die with Giannis. The Greek Freak is undeniably the best player in the conference and his singular greatness should drag Milwaukee into the playoffs. If he misses any extended time, well, just don’t search up the Bucks’ depth chart.
Play-in fodder: teams who will finish in the 7-10 range
Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Boston Celtics
As far as the Bulls and Heat are concerned, the East (play-ins) run through them. Miami is without Tyler Herro to start the season, but they also won’t go 13-23 in clutch games again, nor will they have Jimmy Buckets try to dismantle the entire organization. The Bulls, meanwhile, will continue trying to chase their personal championship, which is to finish with 38-40 wins for a fourth consecutive season.
What’s changed this year is the uncertainty surrounding Indiana and Boston, two perennial playoff teams that’s been ravaged by injury. Even without their best players, I respect the infrastructure and culture of both organizations too much to drop them out of the play-in mix. A potential Tatum return could even make Boston a nightmare postseason matchup, although it’s too early to predict that happening.
The Sixers: umm… trust the process?
Philadelphia 76ers (duh)
Seriously, what are we supposed to do with Philly? They could finish in the top-6 or be at the bottom of the conference, and neither result would shock me. The days of Joel Embiid and Paul George playing 60+ games are over, but if both suit up for 40, this team could still make the playoffs outright. Last year’s disaster could also repeat itself, and given that their title window is closed, the Sixers’ most important development is of their young guys rather than the health of their aging “stars.”
Tankapalooza: pretty self-explanatory
Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets
Who will win more games this year: the Nets, Wizards, and Hornets combined, or just the Thunder? If I had to pick, it would be the latter.
Still, there are things to monitor with each of these teams. Brooklyn and Washington could have players who could be dangled at the deadline, such as CJ McCollum, MPJ, Cam Thomas, and Nic Claxton. Charlotte is also still figuring out if LaMelo is a winning player, and if Brandon Miller makes an All-Star leap, the Hornets could be more reticent on finally moving the youngest Ball brother.
