The NBA is at an all-time great point in terms of parity, a buzzword that has been fundamental to discourse surrounding the league for decades. There has not been a repeat champion since the ‘18 Warriors, and even then, one conference has only gone back-to-back once in that time period. And even though the Celtics… changed this offseason, (we will have to see if its improvement or downgrade) the rest of the league has also shifted dramatically in what has been one of the most action-packed offseasons in current memory.
Today, I’m going to do a quick power ranking of the East so C’s fans can know who to fear or look out for when it comes to opening night or further into the playoffs. I’m also going to list every team “MVP”, meaning their most impactful player, which is not tied to the “MVP” award. I’ll also give an MIP candidate to indicate who I believe will step up for their squad.
15 – Brooklyn Nets
MVP – Michael Porter Jr.
MIP – Egor Demin
What’s there to say for the Nets who are coming off of a largely unassuming offseason. They took on Julius Randle in exchange for Nic Claxton in an attempt to get some money off the books once their young movement finds their feet in the league. Their issue is that the young guys they have don’t move the needle far; falling to 6 in the lottery hurt them tremendously. I love Mikel Brown Jr., but he can’t carry them to the playoffs. Demin also had an awesome summer league and showed off what made him a lottery pick from BYU.
14 – Chicago Bulls
MVP – Caleb Wilson
MIP – Matas Buzelis
This team is going to be fun in a few years. Buzelis and Wilson combine to create a jump-out-the-gym frontcourt alongside Nic Claxton while also having a versatile passer in Josh Giddey to supplement them. On paper they will give teams a hard time until that bench gets in. Losing Anfernee Simons in FA hurt, but the surprise acquisition of Norman Powell should fill that hole. They had a competitive offseason for a team that feels destined for the lottery. Don’t sleep on Leonard Miller for that MIP slot though.
13 – Milwaukee Bucks
MVP – Tyler Herro
MIP – Kasparas Jakucionis
After sending out their franchise icon in Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami, the Bucks begin year one of the rebuild. They have too much firepower to truly get to the bottom tier of teams like Herro and new center Kel’el Ware. Jakucionis can shoot the lights out and did not get sufficient playtime under Erik Spoelstra, and I’m excited to see him in a new system where he can shine. Despite these fun pieces they have and a successful draft, due to inexperience they will rate out low in the East.
12 – Washington Wizards
MVP – AJ Dybantsa
MIP – Tre Johnson
Speaking of young assets, the Wizards might have the best guys under rookie contracts. That MIP slot could be filled by 5 different guys, but there’s only so much development that can take place and guys will lose out on playing time. French wing Bilal Coulibaly felt like a big loser this offseason once they acquired the 1st overall pick. A starting 5 of Trae Young, Tre Johnson, AJ Dybantsa, Anthony Davis and Alex Sarr is scary on paper but again, inexperience rules superior and pushes Washington down to the lower third. Expect them to make a leap next season.
11 – Orlando Magic
MVP – Franz Wagner
MIP – Jase Richardson
I think it’s finally time the Magic come to their senses and blow it up. The forward duo of Wagner and Paolo Banchero has largely failed to produce and simply are unimpressive at points. Anthony Black must take another step forward in order for this team to look like a playoff team, as Jalen Suggs is a horrible playmaker. Suggs feels like an easy bet to be moved at the deadline, and maybe even one of the forwards. The Magic are by far one of my least favorite teams to watch as their offensive system always boils down to an ugly Paolo post up or heavily contested mid-range shot. Having two shooting guards, two power forwards and a center makes for an awkward lineup that I predict will fail next season.
10 – Charlotte Hornets
MVP – Brandon Miller
MIP – Ryan Kalkbrenner
The Hornets had a controversial offseason however I viewed it as a complete success. First, the Lamelo Ball deal was a tactful sell high maneuver for a player that is extremely fun to watch but not a winning player. You simply can’t expect a guy who chucks the shots he does to lead a serious squad, and getting Naz Reid back lets you run some gross double big lineups with Kalkbrenner, Moussa Diabate, or rookie Hannes Steinbach. Next, the Miles Bridges trade was a complete fleece; Grayson Allen has always been undervalued and overlooked in this league, and Royce O’Neale is great depth. This team is going to rain 3s on you (Mazzulla coaching tree is finally growing) and then grab every board. The Hornets are a mini-Celtics, and I’m going to love watching them on League Pass.
9 – Indiana Pacers
MVP – Pascal Siakam
MIP – Jarace Walker
This team’s standing depends purely on the recovery and performance of Tyrese Haliburton post Achilles tear and his other medical issues this offseason. Losing the pick in the lottery was unfortunate, but gaining Ivica Zubac is worth it. I wasn’t high on Keaton Wagler, but it would have been interesting to see what the Pacers front office could have done with their pick if it conveyed. Their offense relies on Haliburton’s playmaking and Siakam’s self-creation. If you get a less effective version of Hali, this team drops considerably. If Haliburton is indeed back to full form, then there is no reason for this team not to make the top 6.
7 – Miami Heat
MVP – Giannis Antetekounmpo
MIP – Pelle Larsson
Again, the lackluster bench curse strikes once more, and the Heat will land at 7. Another injury prone star, Giannis has to put this team on his back to push them to a higher seed but given his injury issues last season I question his impact in his age 34 season. Bam Adebayo feels like a perfect costar next to Giannis, giving Erik Spoelstra elite versatility with a 5-out concept or putting Bam, an above average rebounder, under the basket. Selling the farm for Giannis this late into his career feels like a recipe for disaster but Pat Riley wanted his star and got it. If LeBron signs here, which the deletes Youtube stream might have implied, the furthest they could make it is the 4th seed (expect this commentary for another team)
7 – Philadelphia 76ers
MVP – Tyrese Maxey
MIP – Adem Bona
I’m going to have many mixed feelings on this squad throughout the next season. I want Jaylen Brown to succeed and love the idea of playing him in the playoffs (the storylines write themselves) but also I’ll never truly support a Philadelphia team. My biggest concern with them is their bench. I’ve detailed my issues with their second unit in my article about the JB trade but it’s really going to hurt them come the end of season when they push to make the playoffs. Considering the questionable health of Joel Embiid and Maxey, periods of the season without them will look rough. If they stay healthy, they will surpass this rating. We say that every year with Philly and it never happens.
I wrote this article before the Lebron decision that definitely changes the outlook on this team, but not by much. He isn’t the needle mover he used to be, and now the usage issues are only further exacerbated. Lebron is fine off ball but still, another ball handler is an interesting fit. It’s going to be fun watching King James ring chase for one more year.
6 – Cleveland Cavaliers
MVP – Donovan Mitchell
MIP – Jaylon Tyson
This team always finds a way to confuse me. It’s clear that the Cavs are always a piece away from true contention and felt like a team that could make a big move this offseason. I’ve been adamant in my stance that Jarrett Allen at center has negatively affected Evan Mobley’s development and league-wide perception. Allen felt like a perfect candidate to move this offseason even if he’s on a team friendly deal. Meleek Thomas falling to them was a dream scenario; but other than that, they did close to nothing this offseason. Regression will come for the teams that are afraid of change.
5 – Detroit Pistons
MVP – Cade Cunningham
MIP – Ron Holland
If Jalen Duren returns to this team which feels more likely by the minute, this team firmly lands at 5. I’ve always been extremely high on John Collins but the Pistons still lack a secondary shot creator around Cade. When he’s off the court or not clicking, the offense gets stagnant and looks similar to that of the Magic. Just Bigs passing and passing, then taking a contested shot or throwing a grenade to a shooter on the arc. The defense is for real, even without enforcer Isaiah Stewart. Isaiah Joe and Ebuka Okorie will hopefully fulfill the second creator issue, but the following teams feel like a tier above the rest.
4 – Toronto Raptors
MVP – Kawhi Leonard (once trade finalizes)
MIP – Jamal Shead
The Kawhi Leonard and Aspiration scandal was one of the craziest parts of last season and continues to bleed into the upcoming one. In the off chance Leonard doesn’t come back to the 6, this team doesn’t fall far; maybe to 6 or 7. Moving Brandon Ingram for Kawhi Leonard feels like a direct upgrade, and losing youth in Gradey Dick feels unimportant. I was skeptical about the Allen Graves selection over Labaron Philon but Summer League helped ease the concern in that department. Scoring on this team will be close to impossible. If Scottie Barnes can take another step offensively, I think he could receive some MVP votes this season. Seriously. The defense is that stifling. I love how quick they rebuilt and the defensive focus. They will be another team locked into my League Pass quad box.
3 – Atlanta Hawks
MVP – Jalen Johnson
MIP – Asa Newell
I thought the Hawks would defeat the Knicks in the playoffs and came the closest out of any squad. Jalen Johnson is for real; and the Trae Young dump feels much better seeing how well he has played as the 1A in Atlanta. Nickeil Alexander-Walker was one of the best free agency acquisitions and has seriously risen to a formidable scorer given a heavier workload than in Minnesota. Again, the defense duo of Dyson Daniels and Lu Dort is going to force more turnovers than you think is possible. Giving up on Zaccharie Risacher so early hurts but replacing him with a great draft class and underused Georgia stud Asa Newell from last draft will certainly heal those scars Hawks fans might have from passing on Alex Sarr and Steph Castle.
2 – Boston Celtics
MVP – Jayson Tatum
MIP – Neemias Queta
What’s there to say about this team I haven’t already said. Health was an issue once the postseason began in the last few Celtics runs, so barring that I believe this team can run it back as the 2 seed. It’s time to keep Pritchard in the starting lineup. I understand his ideology, but I want to see him get more touches and shots up with Queta or new free agent Mitchell Robinson there to grab offensive rebounds. If Paul George can just average like 20/5/4 I’ll be happy, and a return to form for Derrick White is a recipe for the top of the Eastern Conference. I still am worried about the “live by the 3 or die” way of playing, but it already won a championship. It feels unsustainable with the players we have but I hope I’m wrong.
1 – New York Knicks
MVP – Jalen Brunson
MIP – Mohamed Diawara
It only feels right to have the defending champs as the 1 seed, but I question their ability to end here. They have never had the 1 seed since I can remember and losing Mitchell Robinson to Boston will surely impact their defensive ability. Karl-Anthony Towns’ foul issues will only be exacerbated without a solid backup in Robinson. Mo Diawara was outstanding down the stretch and will certainly play more, and keeping Landry Shamet was huge for New York.
Conclusion
The reigning champs do not have an easy path to the 1 seed, and the conference feels extremely deep. I can see almost any team making a push for the 6-seed, even the Wizards or Magic who I begrudgingly dropped low on my list. Then again, teams can fall just as easily. If a major Bam or Giannis injury occurs, there’s no stopping the Heat from slipping down to the bottom 3 out East. It’s going to be a battle for a conference that finally feels more competitive compared to the West and has much more variability in the standings. I could see any team slipping farther down or rising fast, which feels less likely out West, who has solidified top dogs.
