No side got close to the Boston Celtics last season, as they completely dominated both the regular season and postseason. The Celtics won the division by 14 games and did not have to play more than five games in any of their playoff series. The majority of the conference spent this offseason trying to close that gap, both the Knicks and 76ers made multiple trades to improve their roster in an attempt to even things up. The question is if this can work, or will the Celtics run rampant once again this campaign?
- Brooklyn Nets
23/24 Record: 32-50
Both New York teams combined in one of the first major trades of the summer, as Mikal Bridges departed Brooklyn to head to the Knicks in a deal that brought Bojan Bogdanovic to the Nets as well as five future first-round picks. Therefore, it is safe to say Brooklyn is heading into another rebuilding phase this season, they have recuperated some of their picks lost in the deal that sent James Harden to the Big Apple and will most likely be a team at the top of the lottery next summer. With Cooper Flag potentially up for grabs don’t be surprised to see other sides make similar decisions closer to the trade deadline.
- Washington Wizards
23/24 Record: 15-67
The Wizards had a disastrous season last year, managing just fifteen wins and only avoiding the worst record in the league by a single game. Washington has made a few improvements to their roster bringing in former 6th man of the year Malcom Brogdon and center Jonas Valanciunas. They also managed to get the second overall pick in the draft which they used to select French center Alexander Sarr. Sarr is an exciting prospect who has a lot of upside being 7”0 with the ability to handle the ball.
- Detroit Pistons
23/24 Record: 14/68
Well, you only have to look at their record to see how much of failure last season was for the Pistons, as they tied the record for the longest losing streak in NBA history at 28 games. This summer has been one of large-scale change for Detroit, as they fired their head coach Monty Williams and hired former Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff as his replacement. They’ve also added a couple of free agent signings including Malik Beasley and Tobias Harris, as well as Ron Holland via the draft. It will be another year of rebuilding for the Pistons, but Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, and Jalen Duren’s development should see them improve upon last seasons’ poor record.
- Charlotte Hornets
23/24 Record: 21-61
Charlotte have been one of worst run organizations in all of sports over the last decade, and they will still be stuck around the bottom half of the division this season. They should definitely be able to develop upon last season though as LaMelo Ball should be available more often as he featured in just 22 games due to a myriad of injuries last season. The Hornets will also look to second year forward Brandon Miller to grow in his role as he looked impressive in his rookie campaign.
11. Chicago Bulls
23/24 Record: 39-43
A few seasons ago the Bulls were one of the most exciting teams in the NBA, with a healthy Lonzo Ball and other stars such as DeMar DeRozan and Zach Lavine. But the last few seasons have been a struggle with a combination of injuries and underperformance and the organization decided to split that team up this summer. Chicago sent their elite defensive guard (Alex Caruso) to the OKC Thunder in exchange for Australian point guard Josh Giddey, as well as trading mid-range master DeRozan to the Kings. They do still have a plethora of talent on their roster, especially at the guard spots with Lonzo Ball coming back from injury and Coby White returning after his breakout year last season. All in all, the Bulls should be an intriguing watch but there chances of qualifying for the postseason are slim.
- Toronto Raptors
23/24 Record: 25-57
After a mediocre start to last season, the Raptors decided to completely blow up their roster at the trade deadline. They shipped their all-star wing Pascal Siakam to Indiana for Bruce Brown and traded OG Anunoby to the New York Knicks and got back both RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, thus starting a new era in Toronto. Most Raptors fans excitement for the upcoming season surrounds Scottie Barnes who really relished his new role after Siakam’s departure. Toronto made little to no moves this offseason and their record this season will be entirely determined by the development of Barnes, Quickley, and Barrett.
9. Atlanta Hawks
23/24 Record: 36-46
After a poor season last year, the Hawks were blessed with the 1st overall pick in the draft lottery and used it to select Zaccharie Risacher. Risacher was Victor Wembanyama’s teammate in France and is certainly a player with a lot of upside. Atlanta had another decision to make this summer, which was which of their backcourt would be traded. They decided to ship Dejounte Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans in a deal that brought Dyson Daniels and Larry Nance Jr to the Hawks. Despite the significant roster reconstruction this offseason, I cannot see the Hawks making a postseason run.
8. Miami Heat
23/24 Record: 46-36
It was yet another disappointing regular season for the Miami Heat last year as they were forced to settle for a play-in spot and were routed in round one by the eventual champion Boston Celtics. Over the previous couple of seasons, the Heat had managed to go deep into the playoffs despite their seeding in the regular season but that seemingly caught up with them this time around. Strangely the Heat have made no major roster moves even though they lost Caleb Martin, who was pivotal in their finals run in 2023. Undoubtedly the Heat are a team who can cause big upsets, but time is running out on their chances of winning a title with Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler.
7.Cleveland Cavaliers
23/24 Record: 48-34
Cleveland were one of the more promising Eastern Conference teams heading into the 23/24 season, however things did not go to plan. The Cavs struggled to begin the year and lost their star – Donovan Mitchell – to an injury midway through their second-round matchup with the Celtics, they went on to lose in five games. The big question for Cleveland this offseason was if they could agree a deal to extend Mitchell, eventually they agreed upon a three-year $150.3 million max contract which will keep him in Cleveland till 2028. With many of the other Eastern Conference sides improving massively over the offseason I see the Cavs dropping down to around this spot this season.
6. Indiana Pacers
23/24 Record: 47-35
In an injury riddled Eastern Conference the Pacers managed to make it all the way to the conference finals. Despite losing in a sweep, Indiana will certainly fancy their chances of being back there again this season as their young core continues to develop. Tyreese Haliburton was named an all-star for the first time last year and deservingly so and with the addition of Pascal Siakam they can 100% challenge for a top seed and potentially a deep playoff run.
5. Milwaukee Bucks
23/24 Record: 49-33
The Bucks had championship success in 2021, beating the Suns in the finals, but haven’t seen the same level of postseason success since. After a couple of disappointing years their front office decided to switch things up last summer, trading Jrue Holiday to Portland in exchange for superstar Damian Lillard to pair with their MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. Things did not go to plan last season as both Giannis and Dame spent extended time on the injury list, including in the playoffs. Ultimately, they lost in the first round to the Pacers in six games. Milwaukee had a strange offseason allowing Malik Beasley to walk in free agency despite his excellent shooting form for them. They have managed to pick up Gary Trent Jr as a replacement since though. Honestly, I am not too sure what to expect from Milwaukee this season, but if Giannis can get back to his MVP form, they can challenge for another title.
4. Orlando Magic
23/24 Record: 47-35
Orlando took the world by storm last season, driving themselves into a fifth seed placing after being unable to make the playoffs over the last few years. Both Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero look like stars and Jalen Suggs looked really good in his second season in the NBA. Unfortunately, they couldn’t make it out of the first round losing in seven games to the Cavaliers. The issue which appeared for the Magic in the playoffs was their inefficiency from beyond the arc, and they addressed that this offseason signing 3-and-D wing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope who has shot over 40% from three in both of the last two seasons. All in all, the future looks exciting in Orlando.
3. Philadelphia 76ers
23/24 Record: 47-35
We all know how good Philadelphia’s star center Joel Embiid can be but what excited fans last year was the growth of first-time all-star Tyrese Maxey. Maxey got the opportunity to start at the point guard spot after the departure of James Harden and he did superbly. Although he could do little to prevent the Sixers playoff failure as they crashed out in round one against the Knicks. The 76ers were committed to finding a third star to pair with Maxey and Embiid this summer and agreed upon a contract to bring all-star Paul George to Philadelphia. Undoubtedly the Sixers looks a lot better this season, but the big question is can they finally get out of the second round.
2. New York Knicks
23/24 Record: 50-32
The Knicks had an excellent 23/24 season as Jalen Brunson truly emerged as an all-NBA level talent, his play combined with the resurgence of Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo’s careers led them to second place in the conference. Unfortunately coach Thibodeau’s demands on his players led to multiple injures to key players and subsequently their elimination in the second round of the playoffs to the Pacers. Since then, the Knicks have gone all in in search of a roster they feel can compete with the Boston Celtics. They have made two massive trades, the first of which landed them Mikal Bridges from the Nets in exchange for five (yes five) first round picks, and the other sent Julius Randle and DiVincenzo to the Timberwolves for Karl-Anthony Towns. In spite of all their roster moves this summer I cannot see them winning a division that was owned by the 1st seed last year.
1. Boston Celtics
23/24 Record: 64-18
Well, I think we all knew this was coming. The returning champions had to be my number one seed; they were entirely a class above the rest of the Eastern Conference last season. The additions of both Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday prior to the beginning of the season really took Boston to another level, and we know the rest of the story. Boston trampled over their competition to claim their 18th NBA title and deservingly so. Despite the tax situation the Celtics managed to hold on to their entire roster from last season and will run it back this season. Ultimately Boston is still a class above the rest of the league and should fancy their chances of being back-to-back champions come next summer.
By Will C
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