Welcome to my NBA Preview and Predictions for the 2026/2027 season. This is part one, covering the Eastern Conference. The East is much stronger than it has been in recent years, and I struggled immensely to separate the teams in the 4–9 range. You could make the argument that there are 8 teams that have a legitimate chance to win the conference, unlike the Western Conference, where there are only three or four main contenders.
Projected Starting 5s are based on the teams being at full health.
15. Milwaukee Bucks
Projected Starting 5: Ryan Rollins, Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kyle Kuzma, Myles Turner
The Milwaukee Bucks begin the post-Giannis era with several interesting pieces on their roster. The headline is Tyler Herro, who the Bucks will hope can regain his All-Star form from 2024/2025. Jaime Jaquez Jr., entering his fourth season, is also a major breakout candidate, but he needs to improve as a long-range shooter. Kel’el Ware has shown flashes of his talent in his short career so far, and will push Myles Turner for the starting centre minutes. Turner will definitely be one to keep an eye on as we approach the trade deadline, with many teams around the league likely interested in a big who can space the floor and block shots.
The Bucks also drafted Brayden Burries at pick 10 and Nate Ament at pick 13. While Ament is much more of a long-term project, Burries will be able to contribute immediately with his NBA-ready jumper and perimeter defence. Finally, Kasparas Jakučionis and Ousmane Dieng could both surprise people this season. Jakučionis shot the ball efficiently in limited minutes with Miami in his rookie year, and Dieng had a 36-point/10-assist/7-rebound performance with the Bucks last year after being traded from OKC. Expect the Bucks to field various offers at the trade deadline in search of draft assets.
14. Brooklyn Nets
Projected Starting 5: Egor Dëmin, Keon Ellis, Michael Porter Jr., Julius Randle, Day’Ron Sharpe
The Brooklyn Nets are in an awkward situation, similar to that of the Pelicans last season. They are clearly one of the worst teams in the East, but the Houston Rockets own swap rights to their own first-round pick. This means that they have no incentive to lose games this season, but they also lack the talent to make a playoff push in a loaded Eastern Conference. Their focus must be on developing the young talent that they already have, while trying to foster a winning culture. Egor Dëmin impressed as a shooter in his rookie season, and will be trusted with more ball-handling responsibilities this season, similar to his year at BYU.
The Nets also have #6 overall pick Mikel Brown Jr. Brown has an argument for being the best shooter in this draft class, and can make tough shots from all over the floor. Brown was a high-upside swing by the Nets, and could form a formidable young backcourt with Dëmin. Brooklyn has also taken a swing on Keon Ellis, who struggled with the Cavs in the playoffs, but has undeniable 3&D upside.
13. Charlotte Hornets
Projected Starting 5: Coby White, Kon Knueppel, Brandon Miller, Naz Reid, Moussa Diabaté
After going 27–8 in their final 35 games to almost sneak into a playoff spot, the Hornets surprised many by trading away LaMelo Ball. Ball’s playmaking was key to their late-season surge, with rookie Kon Knueppel shooting 7% better from three when LaMelo was on the court. The trade signals a total vote of confidence in Knueppel and Brandon Miller to lead the team, but there is a serious lack of playmaking. Coby White is a far better option off the ball, leaving Dennis Schröder and rookie Christian Anderson as the only true point guards.
They were able to get back Naz Reid in the LaMelo trade, however, and he looks set for the best season of his career. Reid was never a starter with the Timberwolves, and here he gets to start at his preferred power forward position, where he could be a Most Improved candidate and average close to 20 PPG. The bench also has a lot of shooting, with Anderson, Grayson Allen, Sion James, Royce O’Neale, and Liam McNeeley all being good shooters. Unfortunately for Charlotte, many of the other teams who were around the play-in spots last year have improved, while their roster has gotten slightly worse after losing Ball and Miles Bridges. With Miller and Knueppel being 23 and 21 respectively, the front office is turning their attention towards the future rather than trying to capitalise upon last season’s success.
12. Chicago Bulls
Projected Starting 5: Josh Giddey, Norman Powell, Matas Buzelis, Caleb Wilson, Nic Claxton
After finishing in the 12 seed last season, the Bulls look set for a similar year in 2026/2027 with new head coach Tiago Splitter. However, there is a lot more excitement brewing around this year’s squad. Much of this stems from #4 pick Caleb Wilson, one of the most exciting rookies this year. Wilson is an athletic freak who has the potential to become one of the most dominant defenders in the league. In Summer League, Wilson showed that his mid-range touch can extend to the three-point line at the NBA level, making him one of the favourites for Rookie of the Year. Next to him at the 3 will be Matas Buzelis, another skilled athletic big. Buzelis has untapped upside on both sides of the floor, and could easily be a 20+ PPG guy for the Bulls.
The free agency signing of Norman Powell gives Giddey and the team a sharpshooter who was an All-Star last year, and will help to keep them outside the “relegation” places for the draft lottery. Nic Claxton finally gives the Bulls rim protection at centre that they haven’t had in many years. One to watch this season is Leonard Miller, who averaged 11.7 PPG and 5.8 RPG since being traded from Minnesota for Ayo Dosunmu. Miller is a rangy, skilled forward who can score at all three levels. Chicago also has last year’s #12 overall pick Noa Essengue, who has reportedly grown to 6’11” after being listed at 6’9″ last season.
11. Orlando Magic
Projected Starting 5: Jalen Suggs, Desmond Bane, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, Wendell Carter Jr.
The Magic had a strange 2025/2026 campaign, greatly affected by injuries. After winning the play-in game against Charlotte for the 8 seed, they went 3–1 up on the #1 seed Pistons before blowing the lead to lose in 7. Despite this, the only major change to their team is a change in coach, with Jamahl Mosley fired and replaced by former Spurs assistant Sean Sweeney. Any improvements they are to have this season must start with Paolo Banchero. Banchero was inefficient all over the floor last season, and needs to take smarter shots and protect the ball.
The biggest issue on this team is the lack of three-point shooting, which is slightly improved by the return of Nikola Vučević. Still, though, there is a severe lack of shooting on this team, placing emphasis on guys like Suggs, Wagner, and Anthony Black to improve significantly. Unfortunately for the Magic, it seems like all the teams around them in the East have improved this offseason while they have plateaued, which may see them miss the play-ins entirely.
10. Washington Wizards
Projected Starting 5: Trae Young, Kyshawn George, AJ Dybantsa, Anthony Davis, Alex Sarr
It’s exciting times for Wizards fans, who have a chance to be competitive for the first time since the John Wall/Bradley Beal era. Starting with AJ Dybantsa, the number one pick who has incredible scoring upside. Playing next to an All-Star-level point guard in Trae Young is going to be extremely beneficial for Dybantsa and the rest of the young core, including Alex Sarr, who may finally be unlocked as a roller. The success of this team hinges on the health of Anthony Davis, a risky bet considering he only played 20 games last season. At his best, though, Davis is still a frightening defensive presence who can give you 25 a night.
Young and Davis are going to open up lots of opportunities for the Wizards’ young shooters to thrive, an exciting prospect for Kyshawn George and Tre Johnson. Johnson in particular already has one of the purest shots in the league, and could break out as a 6MOTY contender. My main concern for this team is where the playmaking will come from when Trae Young is on the bench. Bub Carrington has proven to be turnover-prone with the ball in his hands, and there are no other true point guards on the team. Washington are a hard team to predict this season, but if they are able to stay relatively healthy, they should be able to sneak into the play-ins.
9. Atlanta Hawks
Projected Starting 5: CJ McCollum, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson, Onyeka Okongwu
After being the only team to win more than one game against the Knicks in the playoffs last season, the Hawks will be aiming to get out of the first round this season. Their main offseason additions have been Lu Dort and Aaron Wiggins, who will help their second unit tremendously. Dort allows the Hawks to run frightening defensive lineups alongside Daniels and Alexander-Walker, while Wiggins is an efficient three-level scorer who will lead this bench. Rookie Kingston Flemings also adds to their bench depth, deputising behind veteran CJ McCollum.
Success greatly depends on Jalen Johnson, who struggled at times as the #1 option against the Knicks, where they were punished for their lack of size. The return of Jock Landale, who was injured in last year’s playoffs, should help on that front. Dyson Daniels must improve as a shooter, after shooting a dismal 18.8% from three last season. The Hawks need this improvement to open up their offence, especially if they want Daniels to be able to share the court with Lu Dort. While Atlanta could easily finish much higher than 9th, I have a lot more confidence in the first options of the teams above than I do in Jalen Johnson, especially when the playoffs come around.
8. Indiana Pacers
Projected Starting 5: Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Pascal Siakam, Ivica Zubac
The Indiana Pacers are out to prove that their run to the Finals in 2025 was no fluke. Their franchise player Tyrese Haliburton returns from the Achilles tear he suffered in Game 7 of the Finals, and is joined by a very similar roster. The main change is the presence of Ivica Zubac at centre after his midseason trade from the Clippers. Zubac brings an interior presence to this team, and will be a dream pick-and-roll partner for Haliburton. It will be interesting to see how the Pacers’ offence changes from their usual pace-and-space style, considering Zubac cannot stretch the floor the same way Myles Turner could.
Another major addition to this team is Kelly Oubre, who brings defence, shooting, and tenacity. Oubre has spoken about his excitement to play alongside Haliburton due to the ability to run in transition, for which he will be a perfect complementary piece. Of course, this team will go as far as Haliburton takes them, and he may start slowly in the regular season as he readjusts to basketball. I have put them as the 8 seed because of this, but once the playoffs come around, this Pacers team is capable of beating anyone in the East.
7. Miami Heat
Projected Starting 5: Davion Mitchell, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo
The Miami Heat were the eventual winners of the Giannis sweepstakes, giving up a package that included Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kel’el Ware. Giannis and Bam now form perhaps the most frightening frontcourt in the league, particularly defensively. Coach Erik Spoelstra can continue his fast-paced isolation style of play, utilising Giannis’s ability to drive and make plays for himself or teammates. The only concern here is the lack of perimeter shooting on the roster, following the departures of Norman Powell and Tyler Herro. This places huge pressure on Klay Thompson and Tim Hardaway Jr. to shoot the lights out, as the only shooting specialists on the roster.
Another concern with this roster is the lack of a true playmaker, with Davion Mitchell starting at point guard. Their isolation-heavy style may negate this, however, with Giannis, Wiggins, and even Bam handling the ball at times. On the bench, watch out for forward Pelle Larsson, who has been steadily improving for the Heat, and balled out for Sweden this summer. Another one to watch is Nikola Jović, who was extremely inefficient (36.6 FG%, 26.9% 3P%) after securing an extension that owes him $62 million over the next four years. This roster has Finals potential, but I anticipate them starting slowly in the regular season as they are familiarised with one another.
6. Cleveland Cavaliers
Projected Starting 5: James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Peyton Watson, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen
After being swept in the Eastern Conference Finals last year, Donovan Mitchell and the Cavs will be hoping to go one step further this season. Their main offseason move was snagging Peyton Watson from the Nuggets in a sign-and-trade, after his breakout season. With several key players out in January, Watson averaged 22.4 PPG shooting 48.2% from three in the month of January. Watson missed much of the remainder of the season through injury, so the Cavs are making a bet that his January run was no fluke, particularly after they lost Dean Wade and Max Strus in the process, two of their most reliable shooters.
Losing Wade and Strus makes Jaylon Tyson and Sam Merrill extra important as the first two to come off the bench. Tyson especially was one of the most improved players in the league in 2026, as a 44.6% long-range shooter. Bringing back Mario Hezonja from Real Madrid, where he won the 2026 Spanish Liga MVP, could also help in replacing Wade and Strus. Ultimately, the Cavs will go as far as Harden and Mitchell will take them, and it is hard to see them beating teams like the Raptors and Celtics in a 7-game series.
5. Toronto Raptors
Projected Starting 5: Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, Kawhi Leonard, Scottie Barnes, Jakob Poeltl
After winning the 2019 Finals MVP, Kawhi Leonard rejoins the Toronto Raptors with the aim of getting the franchise their second title. After losing a tight 7-game series to the Cavaliers in the first round, the Raptors will feel confident that upgrading Brandon Ingram to Kawhi Leonard makes them one of the favourites in the Eastern Conference. The idea of Leonard and Scottie Barnes together on defence is genuinely frightening, and Kawhi is a much more consistent offensive player than Brandon Ingram was. When you add Collin Murray-Boyles to the mix, the Raptors have a chance to be the best defence in the league this season.
Overall, this roster is extremely wing-heavy and could benefit from a move at the deadline to upgrade at centre or point guard. A centre rotation of Poeltl and Trayce Jackson-Davis doesn’t exactly strike fear in anyone on either side of the ball, which may lead to Murray-Boyles small-ball 5 minutes in big games. At point guard, Quickley will need to prove that he is a $30 million per year player, or he may get benched for the savvier playmaker in Jamal Shead. One to watch is third-year Ja’Kobe Walter, who was an extremely efficient shooter last season and will probably be the team’s top scorer off the bench. Expect this team to take some time to gel offensively, but their defence makes them one of the favourites to make the Finals in June.
4. Detroit Pistons
Projected Starting 5: Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, John Collins, Jalen Duren
The longest offseason saga finally ended when the Pistons and Jalen Duren agreed on a 5-year, $200 million extension. After making his first-ever All-Star team, Duren averaged just 10 PPG in the playoffs as he struggled to score in isolation. The Pistons need Duren to improve as a scorer in the playoffs to support Cade, who had no trusted options when he got doubled. Similarly, John Collins will need to replace the output of Tobias Harris, who was a consistent third option last year.
Their best move of the offseason was picking up Isaiah Joe from OKC in a salary dump. Joe, Robinson, and the re-signed Kevin Huerter now give Cunningham three lights-out shooters to play alongside him. Another one to watch is rookie Ebuka Okorie, who was one of the most dynamic scorers in college basketball last season. Okorie and Daniss Jenkins should provide enough cover for the team in the non-Cade minutes. Luckily for Detroit, Ausar Thompson should be able to anchor them to another top-5 defence, but they will need offensive reinforcements in the playoffs. Expect Detroit to be buyers at the deadline in search of a second scorer next to Cunningham.
3. New York Knicks
Projected Starting 5: Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, Karl-Anthony Towns
The Knicks face the tough challenge of repeating as NBA champions for the first time since the Warriors in 2017 & 2018. Bringing back much of the same roster will help, but it cannot be understated how much of a loss Mitchell Robinson is. His presence on the offensive glass and as a rim protector complemented this roster perfectly, putting a lot of pressure on either Andre Drummond or James Wiseman to step up.
We now know what this starting lineup can accomplish together, but playoff success will require their bench to once again exceed expectations. Guys like Landry Shamet and Jose Alvarado were massive in the playoffs, and have key roles as a bench shooter and secondary playmaker respectively. One to watch this season is Mohamed Diawara, who impressed in limited minutes during his rookie season with his size and shot. The team may struggle in the regular season as they did at times last year, but in the playoffs they will be the team to beat in the East.
2. Boston Celtics
Projected Starting 5: Derrick White, Jordan Walsh, Paul George, Jayson Tatum, Mitchell Robinson
Boston made one of the most shocking moves of the offseason, trading Jaylen Brown for Paul George. It is clear that Brad Stevens decided that the roster construction with both Brown and Tatum would not work long term, and the team has opted to trust Tatum with the keys to the franchise. On paper, George actually fits really well with this team as a plug-and-play shooter at small forward. George will be much more willing to accept an off-ball role than Brown would have, paving the way for Joe Mazzulla’s squad to move away from iso-ball into a more fluid ball-movement style.
The role players on this team are also perfect complementary pieces for Tatum. Mitchell Robinson joins from the Knicks, and brings elite rim protection and offensive rebounding. On the wings, Jordan Walsh, Hugo González and Baylor Scheierman are improving shooters, while Sam Hauser is an ever-present threat off the catch. Boston will be hoping that Walsh can turn into a key point-of-attack defender alongside Derrick White. White is still extremely valuable as a high-IQ operator, but needs to improve his efficiency after he shot just 39.4% from the field last year. This Celtics team should still be one of the best in the East, and a difficult matchup for anyone in the conference.
1. Philadelphia 76ers
Projected Starting 5: Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown, LeBron James, Joel Embiid
The biggest winners of the offseason are undoubtedly the 76ers, who add Jaylen Brown and LeBron James to the lineup. While many thought moving Paul George’s contract would require attaching draft capital, Philadelphia somehow managed to land Brown, who was a top-10 player in the league last season. And despite LeBron turning 42 this season, he still has more in the tank and could be a perfect fit next to Maxey, Brown, and Embiid due to his IQ and playmaking ability. Philadelphia even managed to revamp their bench unit, bringing in Dean Wade, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Anfernee Simons, and Labaron Philon, who was my biggest steal of the draft at pick #22.
The key for Nick Nurse will be figuring out how to get the most out of the team offensively, particularly as Brown, Embiid, and Maxey are all isolation scorers. My main concern is that it might take the team some time to gain chemistry, and they will adopt an isolation-heavy style. Another issue is the health of Joel Embiid, and the lack of depth at centre, particularly after Ariel Hukporti’s torn Achilles. This leaves Adem Bona and Tacko Fall as the only viable backup centres, which could see LeBron or even Dean Wade trialled as a small-ball 5 in the non-Embiid minutes. Overall, this team has too much talent to be under 50 wins, and it is hard to foresee them not having a deep playoff run if they are able to stay healthy.
