- The Bucks are the top favorites to win the championship this season
- The Celtics and the Heat will have to make an effort to return to the Finals
- No franchise wants to stay in the middle ground, opting to either contend or rebuild
Every season, the NBA witnesses specific teams that, as the games progress, discover their potential and set realistic goals. Year after year, some franchises aspiring to compete at the highest levels in their conference come to realize that they need to be stronger. Conversely, some teams find themselves performing better than expected.
As we approach the 2023/24 season, we have decided to assess the standing of teams in the Eastern Conference after a multitude of moves, such as the Damian Lillard trade and Jrue Holiday’s arrival in Boston, which have significantly altered the landscape of the conference for the upcoming campaign.
Without further delay, here is the ranking of all NBA teams categorized into six different tiers: Lottery Teams, Play-In Competitors, First-Round Exits, Contenders, NBA Finals Threats, and the sole Championship Favorite.
Lottery Teams
Detroit Pistons, Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets
Lottery teams are not expected to seriously compete in the upcoming season. Engaged in a phase of reconstruction, their primary objective is to gather experience for their young talents while shaping them into teams for the future.
The Washington Wizards have traded Bradley Beal and have no immediate plans for contention. They have assembled a very young team led by Jordan Poole, their new scoring piece, and will be aiming to secure a high draft pick in the next draft. Furthermore, they parted ways with Kristaps Porzingis, who had a stellar season, with the intention of accumulating draft assets for the seasons ahead.
The Detroit Pistons boast a highly intriguing young core, which may become championship contenders in a couple of years. Players like Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren, Isaiah Stewart, James Wiseman, and others exhibit significant potential. Given this case, the franchise’s focus is on developing them first before entering true competition mode.
The Charlotte Hornets find themselves stuck in mediocrity. After two consecutive trips to the Play-In tournament, LaMelo Ball’s injury prompted the team to tank towards the end of last season. Given the youth and limited quality of the roster outside of Ball, the Hornets do not seem well-equipped to make a postseason push next season. With ample young talent and a few high-caliber veterans, the team will continue to acquire significant talent through the draft.
Play-In Competitors
Indiana Pacers, Orlando Magic, Chicago Bulls
Many teams find themselves in a gray area, not quite good enough to make the playoffs but not bad enough to secure one of the top five picks in the next draft. With the innovative concept of the Play-In tournament, some franchises can aspire to secure a postseason spot at the end of the regular season.
The Indiana Pacers have come close to playoff contention in recent seasons, boasting the talents of Tyrese Haliburton and the promising second-year player Bennedict Mathurin, alongside another campaign with Myles Turner. In the 2023/24 season, Indiana could be on the cusp of vying for those playoff positions.
On the other hand, the Orlando Magic have been in rebuilding mode since trading Nikola Vucevic. With Paolo Banchero at the helm, Franz Wagner, and a competitive young core, this could be the year when Orlando transitions from rebuilding to playoff contention.
The Bulls fell short of expectations, with early playoff exits and injuries plaguing the franchise. Chicago ended up in the Play-In tournament last year, and it’s likely to be a similar story in 2023/24, with uncertainty surrounding Lonzo Ball’s return and other key rotation players struggling to stay healthy.
First-Round Exits
Toronto Raptors, Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets
Some teams can compete at a high level in the Eastern Conference but still fall short of the top contenders. These teams have work to do to advance further in the postseason.
The Raptors opted to retain Pascal Siakam when a rebuild was anticipated. They replaced Fred VanVleet with Dennis Schroder, and Scottie Barnes is expected to make significant strides in the 2023/24 season. Having been on the cusp of the playoffs last year, postseason contention is a reasonable goal for this new campaign.
The Atlanta Hawks had a team that should have been stronger contenders last season. With another season on the horizon, Atlanta must figure out how to improve upon past results and become a team that can go deeper in the Eastern Conference playoffs. With Trae Young, Dejounte Murray, and Clint Capela, they should secure a playoff berth, although their lack of depth may hinder a deep postseason run.
The Brooklyn Nets underwent significant roster changes last season but still managed to reach the playoffs. Without major additions, but with an improved Mikal Bridges leading the way, Brooklyn should maintain their momentum and make another appearance in the Eastern Conference postseason.
Playoff Contenders
New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers
Teams in this category have solidified their position as serious playoff contenders, capable of making deep playoff runs. These teams are viewed as strong competitors, backed by a talented roster that has the potential to secure a championship.
The Knicks returned to the playoffs and even reached the second round, where the Heat defeated them. New York found its new future point guard in Jalen Brunson and has successfully integrated several key pieces, positioning them to improve further in the upcoming season. With another year under the same core, the Knicks should perform even better.
The Cavaliers were surprised by the Knicks in the playoffs but should be considered a strong team in all aspects. Their roster is young and continues to develop, making them a force to be reckoned with in the East alongside Garland, Mitchell, Mobley, Allen, and the addition of Max Strus after an impressive year in Miami.
The 76ers are the most competitive team in this tier. Despite that, the issue with the Sixers is their inability to reach the Conference Finals in recent years. They boast the MVP in Joel Embiid and anticipate significant improvement from Tyrese Maxey. Nevertheless, James Harden appears to be on the decline, and the team did not make a blockbuster trade to change their prospects significantly, making it challenging to see them as surefire candidates for the Finals.
NBA Finals Threats
Miami Heat, Boston Celtics
This category is reserved for teams with prior Finals experience that have retained a significant portion of their core roster, allowing them to contend for the championship once again.
The Miami Heat did not secure a star as anticipated during this offseason. Even so, Miami still possesses two vital players, Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, alongside the continued growth of Tyler Herro, who must continue to elevate his game. After reaching the Finals in recent years, Miami could make another appearance.
The Celtics were expected to face the Nuggets in the Finals, but the Heat surprised them in the Conference Finals. After acquiring Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday, Boston’s lineup is among the best in the NBA. Following their 2022 Finals appearance, they continue to add pieces to compete in the later stages of the playoffs.
Championship Favorite
Milwaukee Bucks
The Damian Lillard trade elevated the Bucks from contenders to clear favorites before the season even began. Paired with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Dame will have a championship-caliber team in a way he never experienced in Portland. The Bucks retained most of their core, including Brook Lopez and Khris Middleton, along with Bobby Portis, a strong candidate for Sixth Man of the Year each season in Milwaukee.
Their starting lineup is arguably the best in the Eastern Conference, and they did not lose many irreplaceable pieces from their rotation, relying on some young players to step up. Their roster, featuring two potential MVP candidates, is undoubtedly the strongest in the East on paper, positioning them as favorites not only to reach the Finals again but also to add another championship to their franchise’s legacy.
