Well, NBA fans, it has been a pretty busy six weeks of the NBA offseason since the last NBA finals game of the previous NBA season. This offseason has had juicy headlines, blockbuster trades, draft picks, and free agency signings that have shifted the NBA landscape. There is another story with the Olympic games and it will be interesting to see who will win the gold medal. Can the USA win their eighth gold medal in nine Olympic games? Or will another country win it all and prove the NBA talent is shifting to other countries?
With that being said, my first article joining the LWOS team will rank the landscape of the Eastern Conference. The reigning championship is currently the Boston Celtics. It will be interesting to see if another NBA team has the roster to knock them off and become the new Eastern Conference champions.
(*)= Tie in the metrics and rankings from last season.
All Metrics from ESPN’s Hollinger NBA Stats and Standings on NBA.Com
Eastern Conference Power Rankings After 6 Weeks of the NBA Offseason
1. Boston Celtics 64-18
Recap: The Celtics did not make any serious moves in the offseason and it wasn’t even needed. In fact, Boston will be returning 15 of their 17 players. Boston was easily the best team in the NBA for most of last season. All their key pieces are locked up and Jayson Tatum was able to get his worthy contract extension. Unless there is a significant injury, there is no reason why the Celtics should not be the favorites to repeat. Kristaps Porzingis is expected to be out for the first month or so of the season, but Boston should be able to take care of business until he returns.
2. Philadelphia 76ers 47-35
OFF: 113.8(13th) DEF:111.3 (11th) PACE:99.5 (17th*) NET: + 3.1 (8th)
Recap: The 76ers went into the offseason with the most cap space and they took advantage of it by improving their roster drastically. Philly was able to acquire nine-time NBA all-star Paul George to form a big three with superstar big man Joel Embid and rising star Tyrese Maxey. Let’s not forget that this team was arguably the second-or-third best team until Embid’s significant injury. This roster as constructed has the potential to win the NBA championship but the biggest X-factor will be health as both Embid and George have had a recent history of injuries. The good news is the 76ers added depth at each position with Reggie Jackson, Caleb Martin, and Andre Drummond. The 76ers have a higher ceiling as the team to beat their rivals in Massachusetts, compared to the Knicks.
3. New York Knicks 50-32
OFF: 114.1 (11th) DEF: 111.1(10th) PACE: 97.2 (30th) NET: +4.6 (5th)
Recap: The acquisition of Mikal Bridges will give New York a perimeter defense that will be a nightmare for all NBA teams. Let’s not forget, it brings back the reunion of the Nova Cats squad that won the March Madness titles in 2016 and 2018. The Knicks are more proven than the 76ers, and Mikal Bridges was a huge pickup along with the resigning OG Annouby, and Julius Randle will be back after a season-ending injury. Oh, and let’s not forget about the team-friendly contract of Jalen Brunson. Losing Isiah Hartenstein was a big blow, and the Knicks will need to address that glaring hole if they want to at least get to the NBA finals.
4. Milwaukee Bucks 49-33
OFF: 116.0 (5th) DEF:(17th*) PACE:101.6(7th*) NET: +2.6(11th)
Recap: I am a firm believer that building chemistry within a team can take longer and perhaps even more than a season. This could be the case after the nightmare season the Bucks endured last season with chemistry, injuries, and a coaching change in the middle of the season. Still with Giannis Antetokounmpo, you can never fully count the Bucks out. The question will be can Damian Lillard bounce back after an up-and-down first season with the club? The team still needs to get younger and improve their defense which dropped from fourth in defensive efficiency to 18th. The addition of Gary Trent Jr. may help but it looks like Milwaukee is betting more on the team improving internally.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers 48-34
OFF: 112.8(17th) DEF:109.7 (6th) PACE:98.9 (21st*) NET: +2.4 (13th)
Recap: The Cavs accomplished their main goal of the offseason which was extending Donovan Mitchell. Cleveland was team ranked sixth in defense efficiency but 17th in offensive efficiency. Without him, Cleveland was even worse as they struggled to get points. This team has the talent to make it to the Eastern Conference finals, but the question is how will this group buy into new head Kenny Atkinson’s system? Also, with Evan Mobley’s extension, will he break into the NBA star they expect him to be? The defensive potential is there, but the questions remain as follows. Can Mobley be a consistent option on offense? Also, can Darius Garland bounce back from a regression season?
6. Orlando Magic 47-35
OFF: 110.6 (22nd) DEF: 108.8(2nd) PACE:98.8 (24th) NET: +2.0 (15th)
Recap: This team was one of the biggest winners this offseason. There were no flashy moves, but signing Kentavious Caldwell Pope, who’s known to be a 3-D guy who can shoot and provides championship experience, especially for a young rising team. Orlando has defended well, which resulted in a number two ranking in defensive efficiency. However, this team was 24th in three-point % and 22nd in offensive efficiency. It might be tough to see the Magic take another big step similar to last year. However, this team is the best in the Southeast division, and we could see their first 50-win season since 2011.
7. Indiana Pacers 47-35
OFF: 117.9 (2nd) DEF:115.6(24th) PACE:103.5 (2nd) NET: +3.1 (9th)
Recap: Having a team that just made it to the ECF ranked as the seventh best team in their conference might be a bit disrespectful. However, they did have a relatively easy path by beating an injured plague Bucks team and had a historic shooting in Game 7 vs. the Knicks. This is a team that ranked second in offense efficiency but was 24th in defense. At least the defense improved a bit after the all-star game and acquiring Pascal Siakim. Overall this Pacers team is definitely on the rise and will be in the playoff mix going forward.
8. Miami Heat 46-36
OFF:111.7 (20th) DEF:109.6(5th) PACE:97.8(29th) NET: +1.7(17th)
Recap: It is hard to believe that Miami can still be one of the top contenders in the East, let alone the NBA. Sure, this roster is still built for the postseason. With many other teams in the East getting better, it’s hard to believe that Miami is anything better than a play-in team. Let’s not forget that Jimmy Butler will be turning 35 and has not played more than 65 games since his tenure in Miami. The good news is they still have Bam Adebayo. Once again, Miami lost another key role player in Caleb Martin, who was arguably their MVP in the 2023 Eastern Conference finals.
9. Atlanta Hawks 36-46
OFF:112.0(12th) DEF:116.9(27th) PACE:102.0 (5th) NET:-2.2(21st)
Recap: Are the Hawks better from a talent standpoint? Definitely not. By trading Dejounte Murray could they be a better team? Possibly. It was clear the Trae Young and Dejounte Murray backcourt didn’t work out, as it led to a 1st round exit and a play-in tournament loss. This team ranked 22nd and 27th in defense during the previous two seasons. It is unclear if the Hawks decide to run it back with Trae Young or if he gets dealt and Atlanta decides to rebuild around Jalen Johnson and #1 pick Zaccharir Risacher. Atlanta, as currently constructed, is no better than a play-in team.
10. Toronto Raptors 25-57
OFF:109.8(24th) DEF: 115.8(25th) PACE: 101.2 (11th) NET: -6.4(7th)
Recap: The Raptors are in a transitional phase. Despite the ending to last season, Toronto has some interesting pieces. The core of Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, and Scottie Barnes is young, lengthy, athletic, and decent three-point shooters. Still, Toronto has a ways to go by determining if these three guys can win consistently. Can Scottie Barnes become that franchise that just received that max extension? Can Immanuel Quickley prove he is worth that big contract? Losing Gary Trent Jr. wasn’t ideal as he can give you 10-15 points off the bench and is a 39% three-point shooter. This could be another year trying to improve their odds in the draft lottery but the ceiling for this squad is a fringe play-in team, especially in the weaker East.
11. Chicago Bulls 39-43
OFF: 112.0 (18th) DEF: 113.2 (19th) PACE: 98.0(28th) NET: -1.4(20th)
Recap: It hasn’t been a complete teardown yet, but it looks like it is slowly happening in the Windy City. The trades for DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso were a bit underwhelming, as the Bulls could have gotten more assets for those players. However, as currently constructed, the Bulls are in a position to lose many more games. With DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso dealt, could Zach Lavine or Nikola Vucivic be the next to go? It is a painful reality, but it is the right move for a franchise that has only made one playoff appearance since trading Jimmy Butler. Expect more moves to come in the future.
12. Charlotte Hornets 21-61
OFF: 107.1 (28th) DEF: 117.1(29th) PACE: 98.8(24th) NET: -10.2(30th)
Recap: Like Toronto, this is a very young team building for the future. The only difference is that this team is younger and is more injury-prone. With a core consisting LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges, and Mark Williams, this team can be a play-in team if things go their way. Let’s be clear, that it is a huge IF. When healthy, LaMelo has the potential to be a borderline superstar but was limited to only playing 58 games in the past two seasons. Hopefully, with new coach Charles Lee, the Hornets can improve significantly on either side of the floor, as Charlotte ranked at the bottom three in both offense and defense efficiency. Let’s not forget that the Hornets also ranked dead last in net rating.
13.Detroit Pistons 14-68
OFF: 107.2 (27th) DEF: 115.9 (26th) PACE: 101.1(7th*) NET: -9.1(28th)
Recap: This Pistons team couldn’t been any worse last year. The Pistons are hoping new JB Bickerstaff. Bickerstaff helped the Cleveland Cavaliers improve every season in his four seasons and would do the same in the Motor City. The Pistons, I believe had a pretty good offseason as they acquired more veterans and three-point shooting, which Detroit ranked 27th in 3-point percentage. I am skeptical of the signing of Tobias Harris, but the Pistons have a long way to go before they become a top free-agent destination. Cade Cunningham could be in the talks to make the all-star team. However, Detroit will need to win many more games to get more attention.
14. Washington Wizards 15-67
OFF:108.3(25th) DEF: 116.7(28th) PACE: 104.3(1st) NET: -9.3(29th)
Recap: Malcolm Bragdon and Jonas Valchunias are solid players in the NBA. However, are they good enough to get a team out of the NBA cellar? Definitely not. Expect another long year in DC with shot-chucking in Jordan Poole and Kyle Kuzma. The Wizards weren’t able to resign starting point guard Tyus Jones in free agency, and the Wizards could be in a position to acquire more assets if the losses pile on early. At least Bilalh Coulibaly is an intriguing prospect, and Alex Sarr is the number 2 pick, despite having an underwhelming summer league showing.
15. Brooklyn Nets 32-50
OFF: 110.4(23rd) DEF:113.2(19th) PACE: 98.8(24th*) NET: -2.9(22nd)
The rebuild is officially here in Brooklyn. With the number of draft picks acquired from the Mikal Bridges trade, it wouldn’t make sense to not rebuild. The next upcoming seasons will be rough, but Sean Marks will get another chance to build a team from the ground up. Despite the roster expected to be a lot worse this upcoming season, the Nets were a winner because they reacquired the rights to their draft picks back after losing what could have been the #3 pick in the James Harden deal. Expect more deals to happen throughout the year, but how will Brooklyn get a taker for Ben Simmons‘s contract? The theme for next season. Drag for the Flagg.
Main Image: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
