As the 2025 NBA playoffs unfolded, the Eastern Conference landscape was dramatically altered by devastating Achilles injuries suffered by star players Damian Lillard, Jayson Tatum, and Tyrese Haliburton, well before the onset of the busy offseason transaction period.
With the initial shockwaves appearing to subside, it`s now possible to evaluate the current status of the East. This conference is eager to challenge the dominant Western Conference teams, despite a power structure that looks vastly different compared to just a few weeks ago.
Considering these changes, here is an assessment of the 15 Eastern Conference teams, organized into six distinct tiers, ranging from those expected to contend for the NBA championship to teams still in the early stages of their rebuilding efforts.
Tier 1: NBA Finals or Bust
Cleveland Cavaliers
Following a dominant 64-win campaign in the 2024-25 season, the top-seeded Cavaliers are expected to maintain a largely consistent core roster… with some notable exceptions. All-Star guard Darius Garland is set to miss a significant portion of the season`s initial months while recovering from toe surgery, and reserve guard Ty Jerome signed with Memphis during the offseason. However, the acquisition of Lonzo Ball, in exchange for defensive wing Isaac Okoro, will help fill Jerome`s role.
Even with Garland sidelined for an extended period and minor roster adjustments made to reduce luxury tax commitments, Cleveland remains a leading contender to emerge from the East. The team features stars Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen, supported by key role players such as Max Strus, Sam Merrill, and De`Andre Hunter, heading into their second season under coach Kenny Atkinson.
New York Knicks
Perhaps no team in the Eastern Conference faces greater pressure than New York. After reaching their first Conference Finals in a quarter-century, the team promptly dismissed its coach, declaring winning an NBA championship as its sole objective. The roster now boasts improved cohesion and depth, bolstered by the additions of reserves Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele, addressing weaknesses exposed by the Pacers during their Conference Finals elimination.
Crucially, Indiana is now a significantly diminished threat, losing Haliburton for the entire season and Myles Turner (who signed with Milwaukee). Similarly, the Celtics will be without Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis (traded), Jrue Holiday (traded), and Luke Kornet (signed with Spurs). While New York already had a path to contention, with Mike Brown taking over as coach, the Knicks are squarely facing “Finals or bust” expectations.
Tier 2: On the Verge After Strengthening Rosters
Orlando Magic
The Magic were among the first teams to capitalize on the widespread injuries in the East, particularly Tatum`s injury, which suggested the upcoming season would be highly competitive. Orlando made a bold move by sending Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, and a substantial four first-round draft picks to the Grizzlies in exchange for star guard Desmond Bane. This represents a significant gamble, but the current landscape presents a clear opportunity to elevate their status.
Orlando, known for its stifling defense but challenged by inconsistent perimeter shooting, demonstrated serious potential last season when its key players – Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs – were healthy. Adding the sharp-shooting Bane provides the team with a clear top four players and forces opponents to defend the floor with more spacing. If they can maintain health, the Magic are well-positioned to achieve over 50 wins next season.
Atlanta Hawks
Similarly, arguably no Eastern Conference team improved more this offseason than the Hawks. They significantly upgraded their defensive capabilities by acquiring Kristaps Porzingis and versatile wing Nickeil Alexander-Walker, while also adding sharpshooter Luke Kennard. Furthermore, they secured the Pelicans` unprotected first-round pick for next season, trading back only ten spots in the recent draft – a common theme this summer, highlighting how little Atlanta had to surrender to make these key roster enhancements.
Atlanta`s offseason was remarkably successful. Building on last season`s discovery of pairing tenacious wing Dyson Daniels with Trae Young, the team now possesses a significantly improved defensive scheme and one of the East`s deepest and most talented rotations. Like Orlando, the Hawks are clearly signaling their intent to compete fiercely in what is shaping up to be a wide-open race for Eastern Conference supremacy.
Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers present a complex case for placement. They undoubtedly possess the talent and collective experience needed for a deep playoff run. However, a perpetual concern lingers: whether Joel Embiid and the rest of the core can remain healthy for a sustained period to truly contend.
Following last season`s disappointing outcome – which began with championship aspirations after acquiring Paul George, but resulted in a mere 24 wins due to 104 combined missed games between Embiid and George – the question of health will once again be paramount.
Another variable is Philadelphia`s depth (they might even retain restricted free agent Quentin Grimes, who finished last season exceptionally well) and how they will integrate very young talent alongside their stars while aiming for the ultimate prize. It`s uncommon to see a high draft pick like rookie VJ Edgecombe playing alongside a trio of established stars. Jared McCain, who impressed as a rookie before tearing his left meniscus in December and missing the remainder of last season, is also expected to be a key contributor at just 21 years old.
Tier 3: Longshots with Potential or Desperation
Boston Celtics
Even prior to Jayson Tatum`s injury, it was anticipated that the Celtics` roster would undergo significant changes leading into the 2025-26 season, largely due to cap limitations imposed by the second luxury tax apron. Tatum`s Achilles tear simply accelerated these inevitable departures. As a result, Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, and Luke Kornet are gone, and the return of free agent center Al Horford is uncertain.
With Jaylen Brown and Derrick White anchoring the backcourt, the Celtics possess the foundation to remain competitive. Boston also acquired guard Anfernee Simons, who has averaged 20 points over the last four seasons, from Portland in exchange for Holiday. However, the team`s depth, particularly on the wing and in the frontcourt, has been severely depleted. This setback likely places them at least two tiers below the top Eastern Conference favorites, making a serious championship push unlikely until Tatum returns healthy.
Detroit Pistons
Coming off their first playoff appearance in six seasons, the Pistons boast a legitimate star in Cade Cunningham and appear to have a promising future. Their outlook is particularly bright with fellow guard Jaden Ivey returning to the lineup after his 2024-25 season was cut short by a broken fibula. The Pistons demonstrated competitiveness against the veteran Knicks in their initial playoff experience with this core group, which was a highly encouraging sign.
To some extent, the Pistons` progression will rely heavily on internal development from players like Cunningham, Ivey, Ausar Thompson, and Jalen Duren. The offseason additions of Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson feel more like lateral moves intended to replace Dennis Schroder, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Malik Beasley. (Beasley, who finished second in the NBA in made three-pointers last season, is reportedly under federal investigation related to potential gambling violations involving NBA games.)
Milwaukee Bucks
It would be quite a turn of events if, after three consecutive first-round playoff exits with Jrue Holiday and Damian Lillard as their point guards, the Bucks managed to break through in the postseason with Kevin Porter Jr. running the offense.
This scenario feels improbable. The Bucks, determined to maximize their competitiveness around Giannis Antetokounmpo, took the drastic and unusual step of waiving and stretching Lillard`s substantial contract after he ruptured his Achilles in the playoffs. This maneuver freed up salary cap space, which was used to sign center Myles Turner, undoubtedly a skilled player. However, even with Antetokounmpo remaining a dominant force and the East seemingly more open, Milwaukee – which lost Brook Lopez but re-signed Bobby Portis and other free agents – doesn`t appear optimally positioned to seize the opportunity. They might still hope to attract a veteran like free agent Chris Paul on a team-friendly deal.
Tier 4: Stuck in the Middle
Indiana Pacers
Few fanbases have experienced the emotional swings seen by Pacers fans in recent weeks. Their team defied expectations to reach the NBA Finals, pushing the 68-win Oklahoma City Thunder to a Game 7, only for star Tyrese Haliburton to suffer an Achilles tear in the deciding contest.
This franchise-altering injury immediately shifted the front office`s approach to their salary cap situation. A prime example: Myles Turner, one of their key players and an unrestricted free agent, was permitted to sign elsewhere to avoid incurring the luxury tax for the first time in two decades.
Pacers president Kevin Pritchard confirmed Monday that Haliburton will miss the entire upcoming season – a reality that, combined with Turner`s departure, effectively removes Indiana from any serious contention picture. The Pacers are expected to return near the top of the East once their star is healthy, but despite Pascal Siakam`s presence, it`s difficult to envision them competing at that level next season without both Haliburton and Turner.
Tier 5: Play-in Contenders
Miami Heat
The Heat`s most significant offseason acquisition came recently with the arrival of guard Norman Powell from the LA Clippers, following the best season of his career. In addition, Miami retained reserve guard Davion Mitchell. Conversely, free agent Duncan Robinson joined the Pistons, and Kevin Love and Kyle Anderson were traded to the Jazz as part of the three-team deal that brought in Powell. It remains questionable whether these moves are sufficient to propel the Heat into the upper echelon of the East, either now or in the future, especially considering Powell is 32 years old. However, with elite coach Erik Spoelstra at the helm, Miami retains the potential to outperform expectations in a conference lacking a multitude of definitive contenders.
Chicago Bulls
Chicago aspires to break their streak of three consecutive play-in appearances by securing a direct playoff berth, but it seems likely that the core of last season`s roster will return for 2025-26. The primary remaining offseason decision for the Bulls involves restricted free agent Josh Giddey, specifically the contract offer they will extend, given that few teams possess the necessary cap space to match his probable asking price. Can Chicago evolve beyond being a lower-tier East team with largely the same group? It`s possible. The Bulls finished last season strong, going 17-10 after the All-Star break, and the young players on the roster are motivated to prove they are capable of more.
Toronto Raptors
Among the teams in this tier, the Raptors possess enough intrinsic talent to potentially climb one or two tiers higher. Their best players are still young and missed significant time last season: Immanuel Quickley sat out 49 games, RJ Barrett missed 24, and Scottie Barnes was out for 17. Perhaps even more noteworthy is that 27-year-old Brandon Ingram, acquired from New Orleans at the trade deadline, has yet to play for the Raptors. None of this guarantees perfect roster synergy or that the team`s young reserves are sufficient for a playoff push. However, there is considerable upside that could allow this team to eventually exceed the sum of its individual parts.
Tier 6: Lottery Bound
Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets traded centers Mark Williams and Jusuf Nurkic, receiving guard Collin Sexton and a total of three draft picks in return (one of which was used to select Liam McNeeley 29th overall last month). These assets are intended to assist with Charlotte`s ongoing rebuilding process. Expectations will be low for Charles Lee`s squad this season. The main objectives, from LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller down to the end of the bench, will be focused on individual and collective improvement and achieving consistency – factors crucial for the front office to determine the future direction after years where injuries have hampered team cohesion.
Washington Wizards
The Wizards completed a trade sending Jordan Poole and Saddiq Bey to New Orleans for CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk, and Cam Whitmore, and also drafted Tre Johnson with the 6th pick. However, this rebuilding team – featuring six rotation players aged 21 or younger – is still projected to finish near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. The realistic hope for the season is to see promising signs of development from young players like Bub Carrington, Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, and Johnson as they learn alongside and are mentored by veteran teammates McCollum, Khris Middleton, Marcus Smart, and Olynyk.
Brooklyn Nets
Any uncertainty regarding the Nets` strategic approach for the upcoming season was resolved two weeks ago when they made NBA history by selecting five players in the first round of a single draft. These selections – three of which were point guards – clearly signal that contending for a championship is a distant goal. This reality is further reinforced by the team`s decision to trade forward Cam Johnson, their most valuable trade asset, to Denver in exchange for Michael Porter Jr.