The NBA offseason is finishing up the final touches for some teams. The major free agents are off the board. Veterans and role players will find teams within the next couple weeks, but for the most part, we have a pretty good idea of what each team will be like. With that being said, here are the rankings for the Eastern Conference.
15. Brooklyn Nets
The Nets are nearing the end of the trade that wrecked their future. The team lost out on Otto Porter Jr. when the Wizards matched their offer sheet. They traded away Brook Lopez for D'Angelo Russell.
They also acquired Demarre Carroll as their major moves this summer. The Nets are still years away from ever getting out of the cellar.
14. Orlando Magic
The Magic are hoping that Jonathan Isaac will be a superstar. However, it is not going to happen this season. The Magic's best signing was Shelvin Mack. The Magic will be in the lottery again this season.
13. Chicago Bulls
The Bulls still have Dwyane Wade on the roster for now. That could change down the road, but the Bulls are going into full rebuild mode. The Bulls traded Jimmy Butler and let Rajon Rondo walk. The Bulls are hoping for a top draft pick next season to speed the rebuild once Wade's money is off the books.
12. Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks were once the best team in the east, but the Hawks don't have any players from that starting lineup anymore.
The team let Paul Millsap go in a sign-and-trade. They traded Dwight Howard to the Charlotte Hornets. The Hawks were tired of first round playoff exits, so they decided to tear everything down. The lottery is their next destination.
11. New York Knicks
The Knicks don't have a team president, and aren't sure if Carmelo Anthony will be with the team.
The Knicks only have made one move and that was signing Tim Hardaway Jr. The Knicks have missed the playoffs four years in a row. It could be five next year.
10. Indiana Pacers
The Pacers traded away Paul George and lost Jeff Teague to free agency. Indiana received Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis for George. The Pacers also got Cory Joseph in a trade for CJ Miles.
The Pacers are going to let the younger player go after it this season. It's possible that could look to trade Al Jefferson or Thaddeus Young this year too.
9. Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets won 36 games last season. They made a trade for Dwight Howard, but's hard to think that Howard is going to make a big impact for the team. Howard's numbers were down last season. Even in a watered down eastern conference, the Hornets won't be that much better.
8. Detroit Pistons
The Pistons sent Marcus Morris to Boston for Avery Bradley. They let Kentavious Caldwell-Pope walk because they want to re-sign Bradley next season. The team still has Reggie Jackson, Andre Drummond, and Tobias Harris. They should get back in the playoffs this year.
7. Philadelphia 76ers
The trio of Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, and Markelle Fultz will be more surprising than what people will think. The deals for JJ Redick and Amir Johnson will help with leadership, scoring, and defense. Dario Saric will have a progressive second year. The 76ers will surprise teams this year.
6. Miami Heat
The Heat re-signed Dion Waiters and signed Kelly Olynyk and James Johnson. Goran Dragic is still a productive guard in the league. Justise Winslow and Hassan Whiteside are solid players. The Heat is weak, and Miami will take advantage of being just good enough.
5. Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks didn't make any moves this offseason that were eye popping, but they are still better than the teams listed before.
Injuries will dictate how well the team will do. Jabari Parker must play a full season. Thon Maker and Malcolm Brogdon need to have better years. The Bucks still have the "Greek Freak," but that window will close soon if he doesn't have help this year.
4. Toronto Raptors
The Raptors have a solid starting lineup, but a weak bench. The NBA Finals proved how having a bench is essential to winning a championship. Kyle Lowry and Demar Derozan have not proved that can make a push in the playoffs.
3. Washington Wizards
John Wall and Bradley Beal will have another great year. The team re-signed Otto Porter Jr, who made huge gains this past season. The Wizards were the four seed last year, and could make a minor jump this season.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers had the second best record last year and have done very little to make the team better. The team has been linked to trading Kevin Love all offseason, and still have no general manager. The Cavaliers will still be a force with the team they currently have, but they still might finish in second in the east again.
1. Boston Celtics
The Celtics might have the best record in the regular season, but it doesn't mean they will be great in the postseason. The Celtics lost to the Cavaliers in the conference finals this past season. However, the signing of Gordon Hayward, a better Al Horford, and a MVP-like season in a contract year for Isaiah Thomas might make the Celtics the best team i the east during the season.
