If you asked most NBA experts to choose next year’s Eastern Conference champion, most would choose either the Knicks or Cavaliers, but after that, it’s completely wide open, as there are several teams that have an argument as the third-best team in the East, including the Detroit Pistons.
Power has shifted in the conference in the worst possible way, as devastating injuries to Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton may have set their respective teams back. The Celtics had a fire sale to get out of the second apron and the Pacers did little to improve their squad, hoping they can still contend for the playoffs without Haliburton.