National Basketball Association

Eastern Conference Power Rankings

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 9:37 p.m. ET

foxsports

Washington Wizards made some serious changes to their second unit this summer, but how do they stack up against the other teams in the East?

This off-season, the Eastern Conference didn’t experience a power shift, but many teams did make major moves through trades, free agency and the NBA Draft.

Some teams improved, while others will plummet to the bottom of the standings.

The Washington Wizards were one of the few teams that actually didn’t make changes to their core, but still cleaned out their roster by adding an entirely different second unit.

All five of the Wizards’ starters are returning, and with a new head coach in Scott Brooks, expectations haven’t been this high since the team swept the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs.

Where exactly will the Wizards finish once the season is over in April?

Here are the power rankings.

Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

15. Brooklyn Nets

Over the past five seasons, the Nets have made trades to acquire many aging former All-Stars.

They acquired Deron Williams in 2011, Joe Johnson in 2012, and finished completed their “super team” by adding Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett in 2013.

In these trades, the Nets gave up many young players and drafts picks. The loss of assets hasn’t resulted in much tangible success. All of the aforementioned players are no longer in New York.

These moves have left the Nets in a hole with no end in sight.

The Nets traded Thaddeus Young to the Pacers this off-season for a first round pick which they used on Caris LeVert.

LeVert has the potential to become a contributor in the NBA but has dealt with foot injuries for the last two seasons which could hamper his development.

The Nets’ lone major acquisition this year was Jeremy Lin, who they signed to a $36 million contract.

Lin, a solid point guard, will join Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Brook Lopez, and former Wizards forward Trevor Booker.

Lopez, an injury prone player himself, is the only proven player on the roster that teams will heavily scout.

The Nets no longer have the solid veterans they had a couple seasons ago and will be looking at a bottom seed this season with a lack of proven talent.

Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

14. Philadelphia 76ers

Relatively speaking, the 76ers look a lot better this season than they did last. But coming off a 10-72 year, that’s not really saying much.

The Sixers were able to get the number one pick in the draft and selected Ben Simmons.

Simmons has the skills and the potential to become a major star in the league. The problem is, it will take some time for him to become that star. At this point, he won’t be capable of carrying the team alone.

Simmons will join former first round draft picks Nerlens Noel, Jahlil Okafor, and Joel Embiid, who has not played a game after getting drafted two seasons ago.

The Sixers were not able to make a splash in free agency but they were able to sign 3=point specialist Jerryd Bayless. Because of youth, inexperience and lack of talent, the Sixers will continue to lose games in 2016-17. Still, at least they will be somewhat entertaining with Simmons, Noel and Dario Saric leading the charge.

Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

13. Milwaukee Bucks

After signing Greg Monroe in free agency and Jabari Parker returning from injury, the Bucks had high expectations coming into last season. The Bucks finished 12th in the East and Monroe is now on the trading block. It’s safe to say they did not live up to those expectations.

Roster-wise, the Bucks are similar to what they were last year.

Thon Maker, their 10th pick, did not attend college and won’t be able to help immediately. Matthew Dellavedova was brought in to fill in the void at point guard, but having a player of his caliber play big minutes could be disastrous.

The real keys to their success will be the play of Parker and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Parker has already shown that he can play in the NBA, but he still needs to take a leap forward to become a star. The Greek Freak will carry this team as far as they can go, but in reality, the Bucks do not have much of a supporting cast. The other teams in the East did a lot more to patch up their existing holes this summer.

Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

12. Orlando Magic

The Magic are a young, up-and-coming team.

Aaron Gordan, Elfrid Payton and Mario Hezonja are all in their second or third season in the league and have already started living up to their potential.

Orlando made a big draft day trade, sending Victor Oladipo to the Thunder for Serge Ibaka. The Magic were also able to sign big man Bismack Biyombo in free agency.

Both Biyombo and Ibaka will join Nikola Vucevic to solidify one of the best frontcourts in the league. The biggest problem with the Magic is their backcourt.

Many teams who have star point guards will be able to feast on the Magic. Orlando’s bench is also a problem. The Washington Wizards experienced problems with depth last year and that could be the case in Orlando this upcoming season.

The improvements are evident, but the Magic still have some time before they become a threat in the East.

Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

11. Miami Heat

The Miami Heat made one of the biggest mistakes this off-season by letting Dwyane Wade walk during free agency.

Wade carried the Heat last season through a turbulent year and now he’s gone.

Along with Wade, the Heat also lost Joe Johnson and Luol Deng. The Heat were able to retain star center Hassan Whiteside, though.

Emerging from virtually nowhere last year, Whiteside is now one of the best rebounders and low post defenders in the league.

Now the Heat will look for Whiteside to carry the team. However, with this being Whiteside’s third real season, he’s going to have trouble elevating the team to the playoffs.

Goran Dragic is a solid starting point guard, but has declined since signing a lengthy contract.

Ultimately, the Heat are going to rely on their developing players, most notably Justise Winslow and Tyler Johnson.

The Heat have one of the weaker benches in the league, which is not ideal if they happen to catch the injury bug.

The biggest question lingering over Miami’s head is whether Chris Bosh will be able to play. As of right now, no one really knows his status.

With the Heat losing key players and Bosh remaining a question mark, the Heat will fall to the lower tier in the East.

Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

10. Chicago Bulls

The Bulls are a completely different team than they were last season.

Chicago traded former MVP Derrick Rose and let Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol walk in free agency.

The Bulls decided to build their team around All-Star Jimmy Butler, picking up Rajon Rondo and Wade to add to the core.

Fitting the pieces to the puzzle together is something that Fred Hoiberg will be challenged with.

Neither Rondo nor Wade are known for their outside shooting and both players need the ball to be effective.

Chicago also drafted Denzel Valentine in the first round out of Michigan State, who looked like a future star in the summer league. Valentine will join Bobby Portis, Jerian Grant and Doug McDermott on the developing bench.

Currently, the Bulls have too many questions as well.

Will Rondo find a way to mesh along side Wade and Butler? Will Wade be able to stay healthy and perform as well as he did on the Heat last season?

The biggest question, however, is how far Butler can carry the team.

Given the weird fit, it’s hard to see how the Bulls make it to the postseason.

Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

9. Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks took a big step back this off-season.

Atlanta traded Jeff Teague for the 12th overall pick which they used on Taurean Prince. He is a potential replacement to DeMarre Carroll, who they lost last summer, but relying on a rookie this early into his career could be troublesome.

Dennis Schroder has been handed the keys to the point guard position and is entering the final year of his contract. The backup spot will be manned by Jarrett Jack, who was out with an ACL tear last season.

The Schroder and Teague swap might work, but losing Al Horford will be something the Hawks will have issues with the entire season. Dwight Howard hasn’t been the same since he left Orlando and caused chemistry issues with the Rockets.

Change isn’t always positive, and it looks like the Hawks will find themselves struggling in 2016-17.

Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

8. Charlotte Hornets

The Hornets are one of the more underrated teams in the East.

Like the Wizards, though, the Hornets didn’t make too many drastic changes this summer.

Charlotte lost starting center Al Jefferson in free agency, but they proved they can win without him as they were nearly a 50-win team while Jefferson missed half of the year last season.

The Hornets also lost backup point guard Lin and replaced him with another solid guard, Ramon Sessions. Jordan’s crew was able to retain small forward Nicolas Batum, who was a key player on the Hornets’ starting five.

Coming off a career season, Walker will look to build momentum and solidify himself as a top point guard in the East.

The Hornets will be able to compete and win games against the top tier teams in the East, but did nothing to take their team to the next level this summer.

Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

7. New York Knicks

The Knicks have greatly improved from last season, adding Rose, Noah, Brandon Jennings and Courtney Lee to their roster.

Kristaps Porzingis will look to add on to a great rookie season, and of course, Carmelo Anthony remains one of the best offensive player in the league.

The biggest concern for the Knicks is their durability.

Rose has dealt with multiple injuries, causing him to miss about half of his games over the last four seasons. Noah played only 29 games last year as well. Jennings is recently coming off a ruptured achilles tendon. Anthony is also not immune to injuries, having played one 82-game season in his 14 years in the NBA.

6. Washington Wizards

The Wizards are coming off a disappointing year where injuries and frustration got the best of them, resulting in missing the playoffs.

Now, the Wizards are healthy and have a chip on their shoulder.

Washington lost key bench players in Nene and Sessions in free agency but replaced them with Ian Mahinmi and Trey Burke.

Assuming their both healthy, John Wall and Bradley Beal could make up the best backcourt duo in the conference. The biggest problem for the Wizards is the lack of a proven leader.

Both Wall and Beal compete to be the alpha dog. This has resulted in some well-documented chemistry issues between the two. Chemistry and health will be the two biggest factors in the Wizards’ success this season.

Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

5. Detroit Pistons

The Pistons proved last season that they were a legit team.

Andre Drummond is one of the best centers in the league and just signed a massive $127 million contract.

Reggie Jackson and Tobias Harris accompany Drummond to solidify the Pistons’ starting five. The Pistons did not lose any major pieces this off-season, which helps their continuity.

They signed Boban Marjonovic and Ish Smith in free agency. They also drafted Henry Ellison with the 18th overall pick. The Pistons can only improve this season, becoming one of the better teams in the east.

Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

4. Indiana Pacers

The Pacers greatly improved this off-season, adding Teague and Thad Young via trades and picking up Al Jefferson in free agency.

Jefferson and Young will join second year player Myles Turner, who has the potential to become one of the league’s best frontcourt players.

Teague will share the backcourt with Monta Ellis, taking some offensive pressure off Paul George.

In terms of versatility, this is the best roster that George has played on since joining the team nearly seven years ago.

As long as the coaching change doesn’t turn out to be a disaster, the Pacers could end up becoming one of the most challenging teams in the East and possibly the entire NBA.

Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

3. Toronto Raptors

After making their first appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Raptors have become one of the best teams in the East and that much won’t change this upcoming season.

The Raptors boast one of the best backcourts in the league in Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozen. When both are clicking, the Raptors’ duo is nearly impossible to stop.

Toronto lost center Biyombo is free agency, who led them to a few victories against the Cavaliers in the Conference Finals, but they replaced him with Jared Sullinger and Jakob Poeltl, who they drafted with their 9th overall pick in the draft.

Dwane Casey has proven himself to be a successful coach during the regular season and the Raptors should remain near the top of the East.

Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

2. Boston Celtics

Brad Stevens has transformed the entire outlook of the Boston Celtics.

Finishing fifth despite a rather mediocre roster (at least on paper), the Celtics added Horford to their team this summer, giving them another All-Star next to guard Isaiah Thomas.

Boston also added Jaylen Brown with the third overall pick – a selection they received from the Nets in a trade that sent Pierce and Garnett to Brooklyn.

The Horford addition should offset any loss that came with the departure of Evan Turner and Sullinger.

With one of the best coaches in the league and now two All-Stars, the Celtics are expected to become a top team in the East this upcoming season.

Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

1. Cleveland Cavaliers

As the reigning champs, the Cavaliers kept their core together and will also keep that top spot in the East.

LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love are still in Cleveland, and as long as they’re around, the Cavaliers will be the only true contenders in the East.

Adding Dunleavy should give Tyronn Lue some more spacing and it will replace the shooting that left with Dellavedova.

As long as they stay healthy, the Cavaliers will likely return to the NBA Finals once again.