The Eastern Conference gets underway with a new title contender. The Sixers' moves in signing Jaylen Brown and LeBron James have turned the Sixers into the team with the best starting five in the entire NBA. It only remains to be seen whether their bench will allow them to stop being contenders and become champions. They have not won a title since 1983.
Alongside them, the Knicks want to repeat and know that at the end of the season they will lose some of their key players. The current roster, with few changes, has a good chance to reach glory, but the franchise will play for the first time since 1973 without the pressure of having to win the title. Cleveland, Detroit, Miami and Boston will seek a place in the Conference Finals and who knows, perhaps in the NBA Finals, while Indiana and Washington could be two of the most improved teams of the season.
The Atlanta Hawks will experience their first full season following the trade of what had been their great star in the past, Trae Young. They have dived into the market to strengthen their bench, with players like Aaron Wiggins, Luguentz Dort and Dorian Finney-Smith, all of them with proven experience in the League, and above all they have managed to retain CJ McCollum, who will be their reference point and their guide this season.
Expectations are high for the Hawks because they feel they are heading into the regular season with a better roster than in previous years despite the January trade of Young and having let go of their 2024 No. 1 pick, Zaccharie Risacher. Even so, it will not be easy at all to repeat last year's sixth-place finish (46-36) only to fall in the first round to the Knicks (4-2).
Renewals: Jock Landale (one year) and CJ McCollum (one year).
Additions: Luguentz Dort (traded from the Thunder), Dorian Finney-Smith (traded from the Hornets), and Aaron Wiggins (traded from the Thunder).
Departures: Buddy Hield (traded to the Hornets), Jonathan Kuminga (free agent) and Zaccharie Risacher (traded to the Mavericks).
Roster: Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dyson Daniels, RayJ Dennis, Luguentz Dort, Zuby Ejiofor, Dorian Finney-Smith, Kingston Flemings, Keshon Gilbert, Mouhamed Gueye, Jalen Johnson, Corey Kispert, Jock Landale, CJ McCollum, Asa Newell, Onyeka Okongwu, Henri Veesaar, Aaron Wiggins and Jalen Wilson.
Possible starting five: C. McCollum, N. Alexander-Walker, D. Daniels, J. Johnson and O. Okongwu.
Coach: Quin Snyder.
When the Celtics decided to trade Jaylen Brown, they officially began a rebuilding process. They had already started it a year earlier, with the trades of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, but letting your best player of the last few seasons go is a statement of intent. In exchange for Brown, they get Paul George and several Draft picks. No miracle is expected from George in Boston, especially not with his eternal physical problems, while the Draft picks are considered a treasure for the short- and medium-term future.
The Celtics will continue to press the pace with quick transition play and three-point shooting, to Mazzulla's liking, along with changes in the interior game with the arrival of Mitchell Robinson. Hugo González will have to step up in an important year for him and for some Celtics who must reinvent their competitive formula. They start out on the second tier of favorites in the East.
Renewals: Ron Harper Jr. (three years), Neemias Queta (four years) and Jordan Walsh (three years).
Additions: Mike Conley, Paul George (traded from the Sixers) and Mitchell Robinson.
Departures: Jaylen Brown (traded to the Sixers), Nikola Vučević (free agent to the Magic).
Roster: Devin Carter, Chris Cenac Jr., Mike Conley, Luka Garza, Paul George, Hugo González, Ron Harper Jr., Sam Hauser, Dillon Mitchell, Payton Pritchard, Neemias Queta, Mitchell Robinson, Baylor Scheierman, Jayson Tatum, Jordan Walsh, Derrick White and Amari Williams.
Possible starting five: D. White, B. Scheierman, P. George, J. Tatum and N. Queta.
Coach: Joe Mazzulla.
The Nets have two clear goals this season. Stay the course with their rebuilding process and be competitive. No throwing in the towel on the season before almost the All-Star break, especially after the changes introduced in the NBA regarding the Draft to avoid "tanking". To do that, they have brought Julius Randle back to New York, although to the neighboring team, where he will form an extraordinary offensive duo with Michael Porter.
Jordi Fernández faces an enormous challenge. He must develop the talent of players like Egor Demin and the exciting rookie Michael Brown Jr. and blend it with veterans like Randle, Porter or the newly arrived Wagner to achieve the chemistry needed by a team that has to fight to make the Play-In. As always in these cases, the limit of the project lies in the patience of those in charge.
Renewals: Josh Minott (two years) and Day’Ron Sharpe (two years).
Additions: Keon Ellis, Julius Randle (from the Wolves in a multi-team trade) and Moritz Wagner.
Departures: Nic Claxton (to the Bulls in a multi-team trade) and Ziaire Williams (to the Lakers as a free agent).
Roster: Tyler Bilodeau, Mikel Brown Jr., Noah Clowney, Egor Demin, Keon Ellis, Joshua Jefferson, Chaney Johnson, Terance Mann, Josh Minott, Grant Nelson, Michael Porter Jr., Drake Powell, Julius Randle, Ben Saraf, Day"Ron Sharpe, Nolan Traore, Moritz Wagner and Danny Wolf.
Possible starting five: M. Brown Jr., E. Demin, M. Porter Jr., J. Randle and D. Sharpe.
Coach: Jordi Fernández.
Last year they celebrated their best season in a decade and their return to the postseason for the first time since 2016 even if it came via the Play-In, where they beat Miami and lost to Orlando. But the expectations created by the Hornets have been put on "stand by" by the surprising preseason decision to trade LaMelo Ball. But the arrivals of Grayson Allen and Naz Reid together with the development of Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel and Coby White are reasons to think of Hornets capable of matching or improving on last season's 46 wins with the Play-In firmly in their sights.
Renewals: Coby White (three years).
Additions: Grayson Allen (traded from the Suns), Royce O’Neale (traded from the Suns), Naz Reid (from the Timberwolves in a multi-team trade) and Dennis Schröder (from the Cavaliers in a multi-team trade).
Departures: LaMelo Ball (to the Wolves in a multi-team trade), Miles Bridges (traded to the Suns), Josh Green (to the Timberwolves in a multi-team trade), Buddy Hield (traded to the Bulls) and Tre Mann (to the Wizards in a multi-team trade).
Roster: Grayson Allen, Christian Anderson, Kylan Boswell, Moussa Diabate, PJ Hall, Sion James, Ryan Kalkbrenner, Kon Knueppel, Liam McNeeley, Brandon Miller, Royce O"Neale, Naz Reid, Tidjane Salaun, Dennis Schroder, Hannes Steinbach, Coby White and Grant Williams.
Possible starting five: C. White, K. Knueppel, B. Miller, N. Reid and M. Diabate.
Coach: Charles Lee.
Last year the Bulls went from a promising start to the disappointment of finding themselves at the bottom of the standings once again. And of course, with those 31 wins, there was no Play-In or anything of the sort—their worst record in three years. But Chicago heads into this year with renewed hopes, turning their No. 4 draft pick, Caleb Wilson, into their new icon for the future, while also surrounding him with the experience of Nick Claxton or Norman Powell. They are also the only team whose highest salary, that of Josh Giddey, does not exceed 25 million. In other words, they still have plenty of salary cap space to use. And another reason for optimism: Tiago Splitter in the coaching seat...
Renewals: Zach Collins agrees to a 2-year deal (officially announced).
Additions: Nic Claxton (from the Nets via multi-team trade), Buddy Hield (traded from the Hornets) and Norman Powell.
Departures: Rob Dillingham, Mouhamadou Gueye, Nick Richards (free agent to the Heat), Collin Sexton (free agent to the Lakers) and Anfernee Simons (free agent to the Sixers).
Roster: Tobe Awaka, Matas Buzelis, Nic Claxton, Zach Collins, Noa Essengue, Josh Giddey, Jordan Hawkins, Buddy Hield, Tre Jones, Leonard Miller, Isaac Okoro, Norman Powell, Jaylin Sellers, Jalen Smith, Dailyn Swain, Patrick Williams and Caleb Wilson.
Possible starting five: J. Giddey, N. Powell, M. Buzelis, C. Wilson and N. Claxton.
Coach: Tiago Splitter.
The Cavs spent too long in the preseason bogged down by the possible homecoming of LeBron James, which ultimately fell through. However, Cleveland hasn't done badly at all because the Nuggets' financial problems handed them Payton Watson on a silver platter after he signed an outstanding season in Colorado.
His impact will be immediate and he will go straight into the starting five, where, among others, James Harden and Donovan Mitchell will be waiting for him, and they will appreciate his defensive skills; they were also in the spotlight during the preseason because of their respective contract extensions. The Cavs also include Khalifa Diop on their roster and, above all, Mario Hezonja back in the NBA; we will see whether it is to stay.
The goal for the Cavs is to return to the Eastern Finals and take one more step toward playing in the NBA Finals.
Renewals: Thomas Bryant (one more year), James Harden (three years), and Donovan Mitchell (four years).
Additions: Khalifa Diop (four years), Mario Hezonja (one year) and Peyton Watson (multi-team trade).
Roster: Jarrett Allen, Thomas Bryant, Khalifa Diop, Tristan Enaruna, James Harden, Mario Hezonja, Sam Merrill, Riley Minix, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Craig Porter Jr., Tyrese Proctor, Meleek Thomas, Nae"Qwan Tomlin, Jaylon Tyson, Ernest Udeh Jr. and Peyton Watson.
Possible starting five: J. Harden, D. Mitchell, P. Watson, E. Mobley and J. Allen.
Coach: Kenny Atkinson.
The Pistons spent a long time focused on extending Jalen Duren, which they managed to do, and Ausar Thompson, which they also completed. Both moves give their project a certain continuity, but they tie their hands with the salary cap looking toward the medium-term future. In addition, the loss of Harris and Stewart weakens them to some extent, despite adding shooting with Collins, Joe and Prince. They will continue to depend heavily on Cade Cunningham and will once again be one of the alternatives in the East, although two steps below the Sixers and Knicks and one below the Cavaliers.
Renewals: Jalen Duren (five years), Javonte Green (one year), Kevin Huerter (three years), and Ausar Thompson (five years).
Additions: John Collins (via sign-and-trade with the Clippers), Isaiah Joe (traded from the Thunder), and Taurean Prince (traded from the Bucks).
Departures: Tobias Harris (free agent to the Spurs), Caris LeVert (traded to the Bucks), Marcus Sasser (traded to the Mavs) and Isaiah Stewart (traded to the Grizzlies).
Roster: John Collins, Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, Javonte Green, Elijah Harkless, Ronald Holland II, Kevin Huerter, Daniss Jenkins, Isaiah Joe, Isaac Jones, Chaz Lanier, Ebuka Okorie, Ugonna Onyenso, Taurean Prince, Paul Reed, Duncan Robinson, Tolu Smith and Ausar Thompson.
Possible starting five: C. Cunningham, D. Robinson, A. Thompson, J. Collins and J. Duren.
Coach: J.B. Bickerstaff.
Last season, the Pacers struggled near the bottom of the Eastern standings. They finished second to last with 19 wins, 31 fewer than the previous season, the one in which they reached the Finals. And one might think that this year will be more of the same because they have not made major moves in the preseason market; however, their roster has received two major morale boosts with the return of Tyrese Haliburton, injured since the 2025 Finals, and of Ivica Zubak, signed from the Clippers midway through last season and who barely played five games. With the two of them, Indiana, at the very least, will have the tools to fight for a spot in the Play-In, although a deep rebuild looms on the horizon.
Renewals: None
Additions: Larry Nance Jr. (one year) and Kelly Oubre Jr. (two years).
Departures: Kam Jones (traded to the Bulls) and Micah Potter (waived).
Roster: Kobe Brown, Johnny Furphy, Tyrese Haliburton, Jay Huff, Quenton Jackson, T.J. McConnell, Larry Nance Jr., Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Kelly Oubre Jr., Ben Sheppard, Pascal Siakam, Jalen Slawson, Braden Smith, Obi Toppin, Jarace Walker and Ivica Zubac.
Possible starting five: T. Haliburton, A. Nembhard, A. Nesmith, P. Siakam and I. Zubac.
Coach: Rick Carlisle.
Any team that had managed to trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo would automatically become a title contender. The Heat are, although it feels like something is still missing to complete the roster. And as the season unfolds, Miami's front office will make moves in that direction. Mainly because the mammoth move they made cost them some key pieces, such as Herro, Ware and Jaquez, and they did not land the Powell signing they were pursuing. Even so, they did bring in other pieces like Portis, Hardaway or Thompson, who should have an immediate impact. They got distracted by the possibility of LeBron choosing Miami, something that sectors of the Heat viewed as more than unlikely. With Giannis, they will be in the fight in the East.
Renewals: Simone Fontecchio (one year), Pelle Larsson (four years) and Andrew Wiggins (three years).
Additions: Giannis Antetokounmpo (traded from the Bucks), Tim Hardaway Jr., Bobby Portis (traded from the Bucks), Nick Richards (one year) and Klay Thompson (two years).
Departures: Tyler Herro (traded to the Bucks), Kasparas Jakučionis (traded to the Bucks), Jaime Jaquez Jr. (traded to the Bucks), Norman Powell (traded to the Bulls) andKel’el Ware (traded to the Bucks).
Roster: Bam Adebayo, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Ryan Conwell, Tre Donaldson, Simone Fontecchio, Myron Gardner, Vladislav Goldin, Tim Hardaway Jr., Keshad Johnson, Nikola Jovic, Pelle Larsson, Davion Mitchell, Bobby Portis, Nick Richards, Dru Smith, Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins.
Possible starting five: D. Mitchell, K. Thompson, A. Wiggins, G. Antetokounmpo and B. Adebayo.
Coach: Erik Spoelstra.
The same as the Heat, but the other way around. Any team that trades away its biggest star stops being a contender. And that is what happens to the Bucks as they see an era come to an end with Giannis Antetokounmpo as their leader for 13 years. The Greek's departure officially begins Milwaukee's rebuilding process, although they had already been laying the groundwork for a couple of seasons. Taylor Jenkings arrives with a new philosophy, many new players, but low expectations. It will be another year without the postseason.
Renewals: Ousmane Dieng (three years), Bogoljub Marković (multi-year contract), Pete Nance (two years) and Gary Trent Jr. (four years).
Additions: Tyler Herro (traded from the Heat), Kasparas Jakučionis (traded from the Heat), Jaime Jaquez Jr. (traded from the Heat), Caris LeVert (traded from the Pistons), and Kel’el Ware (traded from the Heat).
Departures: Giannis Antetokounmpo (traded to the Heat), Gary Harris (traded to the Pistons), Bobby Portis (traded to the Heat) and Taurean Prince (traded to the Pistons).
Roster: Nate Ament, Brayden Burries, Ousmane Dieng, AJ Green, Tyler Herro, Kasparas Jakucionis, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kam Jones, Kyle Kuzma, Caris LeVert, Bogoljub Markovic, Kevin Porter Jr., Ryan Rollins, Cormac Ryan, Jericho Sims, Gary Trent Jr., Myles Turner and Kel"el Ware.
Possible starting five: R. Rollins, T. Herro, J. Jaquez Jr., K. Kuzma and M. Turner.
Coach: Taylor Jenkins.
The problem with reaching the top is that the demands are, at the very least (and at most), to do it again the following year. And that, in the NBA, is very complicated. The Knicks already know that no team has repeated since 2018, and that is why their mission is enormous. And during the preseason, the fear at Madison was that the championship roster would fall apart, after owner James Dolan made sure they would not go over the dreaded second apron. The result is the loss of a key piece, Mitchell Robinson, but also the lower-cost renewals of some luxury backups, such as Clarkson, Alvarado, Shamet or Diawara in an attempt to repeat, while keeping the championship core intact. The Knicks start out in "pole position" alongside the Sixers in the East.
Renewals: Jose Alvarado (three years), Jordan Clarkson (one year), Mohamed Diawara (multi-year contract), and Landry Shamet (four years).
Additions: Andre Drummond (one year).
Departures: Ariel Hukporti (free agent to the Sixers), Mitchell Robinson (free agent to the Celtics) and Jeremy Sochan (free agent to the Trail Blazers).
Roster: Jaden Akins, Jose Alvarado, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, Jalen Brunson, Jordan Clarkson, Pacome Dadiet, Mohamed Diawara, Andre Drummond, Josh Hart, Tyler Kolek, Miles McBride, Kevin McCullar Jr., Tyler Nickel, Landry Shamet, Karl-Anthony Towns and James Wiseman.
Possible starting five: J. Brunson, J. Hart, M. Bridges, O. Anunoby and K. Towns.
Coach: Mike Brown.
The most radical change for the Magic this season is not on the court, but on the bench. After five seasons, they fired Jamahl Mosley (now with the Pelicans) and entrusted the team to Sean Sweeney, the sixteenth coach in franchise history, who arrives with a Spurs ring after having been part of the Texans' coaching staff. With the Magic he will have the talent of the core group that reached the Playoffs via the Play-In (Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Desmond Bane), and that had the Eastern Conference leaders, the Pistons, on the ropes (3-1) until Wagner got injured. Incidentally, Mo's departure as a free agent to Brooklyn separates the German brothers for the first time in their careers.
Renewals: Jevon Carter (one year) and Jonathan Isaac (one year).
Additions: Nikola Vučević (one year).
Departures: Moritz Wagner (free agent to the Nets).
Roster: Paolo Banchero, Desmond Bane, Goga Bitadze, Anthony Black, Jamal Cain, Jevon Carter, Wendell Carter Jr., Colin Castleton, Tristan da Silva, Jonathan Isaac, Alex Morales, Izaiyah Nelson, Noah Penda, Jase Richardson, Jalen Suggs, Nikola Vucevic, and Franz Wagner.
Possible starting five: J. Suggs, D. Bane, F. Wagner, P. Banchero and W. Carter Jr.
Coach: Sean Sweeney.
When LeBron James chose the Sixers, there was talk that Philly was the top title contender, but they had taken the step toward that earlier, when they got ahead of everyone to land Jaylen Brown. With that trade, Nick Nurse’s team crossed the line and established itself as the clear favorite in the East. They also added solid reinforcements in Dean Wade and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and the departures will barely have any impact, especially that of Paul George, who leaves Philadelphia without much fuss or fanfare. No NBA team has changed its fortunes as much in recent months as the Sixers. That said, anything short of at least reaching the Finals will not be enough.
Renewals: None.
Additions: Jaylen Brown (traded from the Celtics), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Ariel Hukporti, LeBron James (two years), Anfernee Simons (two years), and Dean Wade (four years).
Departures: Johni Broome (traded to the Clippers), Andre Drummond (free agent to the Knicks), Paul George (traded to the Celtics), Quentin Grimes (free agent to the Lakers), Kelly Oubre Jr. (free agent to the Pacers), Dalen Terry (waived), and Trendon Watford (free agent to the Pelicans).
Roster: Dominick Barlow, Adem Bona, Jaylen Brown, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, VJ Edgecombe, Justin Edwards, Joel Embiid, Tacko Fall, Ariel Hukporti, LeBron James, Caleb Love, Tyrese Maxey, Labaron Philon Jr., Rayan Rupert, Anfernee Simons, Dean Wade and Jabari Walker.
Possible starting five: T. Maxey, V. Edgecombe, J. Brown, L. James and J. Embiid.
Coach: Nick Nurse.
The NBA's investigation into the Clippers' salary cap cheating delayed and shaped the Raptors' preseason and the return of the prodigal son. In the end, the player who led the franchise to the title in 2019 returns home and has become the marquee reinforcement for the Canadians. Kawhi Leonard, several years older, will once again be the leader of a team that will see virtually no changes to its starting five, except for Kawhi, of course. The 46 wins from last year can serve as a benchmark to measure the team, but what the Raptors want is to win a Playoff round for the first time since 2020.
Renewals: Alijah Martin (two years) and Jamal Shead (three years).
Additions: Kyle Anderson (one year) and Kawhi Leonard (traded from the Clippers).
Departures: Gradey Dick (traded to the Clippers), Brandon Ingram (traded to the Clippers), and Sandro Mamukelashvili (free agent to the Lakers).
Roster: Kyle Anderson, Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, Jamison Battle, Nate Bittle, Jaden Bradley, Allen Graves, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Kawhi Leonard, Alijah Martin, Collin Murray-Boyles, Jakob Poeltl, Immanuel Quickley, Jamal Shead, Malachi Smith and Ja"Kobe Walter.
Possible starting five: I. Quickley, R. Barrett, K. Leonard, S. Barnes and J. Poeltl.
Coach: Darko Rajakovic.
Trying to rebuild around Trae Young and Anthony Davis, the Wizards should not cross paths with the word tanking again. Their defeats last year (third with more than 60 games lost) paid off: AJ Dybantsa at number 1 in the Draft. That, veterans like Khris Middleton and DeAndre Ayton, and young players who should start to have a bigger role in the rotations such as Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson and Will Riley suggest a season with multiple green shoots in the capital. It has been eight seasons since the Wizards won more games than they lost, and five since they last set foot in Playoffs territory. Both streaks could come to an end.
Renewals: Anthony Gill (one year) and Trae Young (four years).
Additions: Deandre Ayton (traded from the Lakers), Tre Mann (traded from the Hornets), and Khris Middleton (traded from the Mavericks).
Departures: Jaden Hardy (traded to the Lakers), D’Angelo Russell (traded to the Grizzlies) and Cam Whitmore (traded to the Cavs).
Roster: Deandre Ayton, Reece Beekman, Bub Carrington, Justin Champagnie, Bilal Coulibaly, Anthony Davis, AJ Dybantsa, Kyshawn George, Anthony Gill, Tre Johnson, Tre Mann, Khris Middleton, Felix Okpara, Will Riley, Alex Sarr, Tristan Vukcevic, Jamir Watkins and Trae Young.
Possible starting five: T. Young, K. George, A. Dybantsa, A. Davis and A. Sarr.
Coach: Brian Keefe.