RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesORLANDO, Fla. — LeBron James is back in the Eastern Conference, Giannis Antetokounmpo is a member of the Miami Heat and Kawhi Leonard could be returning to the Toronto Raptors this upcoming season.
It’s been a busy summer for the NBA. There have been stunning trades, key free-agent decisions and a number of coaching changes. Some teams made flashy moves while others focused on internal improvements in an effort to get better.
Orlando, as an example, fired coach Jamahl Mosley, hired Sean Sweeney to replace him, reunited with Nikola Vucevic and leaned harder into its identity by sticking with its core roster. The Magic also have one standard contract spot still open.
With the majority of the offseason complete, here’s where the Magic and the rest of the East stand. The teams are listed in order of last season’s finish:
Detroit Pistons (60-22): About the same
Moving away from Isaiah Stewart and Caris LeVert while bringing in the likes of Isaiah Joe and John Collins is intriguing, but not exactly splashy. A lot will once again be asked of Cade Cunningham as the Pistons run it back from a 60-win squad that features Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren, who still remains a restricted free agent.
Boston Celtics (56-26): Moving down
The Celtics performed better than expected last season so they know how to prove the doubters wrong. But after sending 2024 Finals MVP Jaylen Brown to the rival 76ers in exchange for an aging Paul George, did they actually improve? Adding Mitchell Robinson helps some, but the pressure is on a healthier Jayson Tatum, Derrick White and Boston’s bench to perform.
New York Knicks (53-29): About the same
Until further notice, they’re the defending champs. The Knicks lost Robinson but signed Andre Drummond. They also brought back Landry Shamet, Jose Alvarado and Jordan Clarkson. The league has gone eight consecutive seasons without a repeat champion, but New York could buck that trend after a historic postseason run.
Cleveland Cavaliers (52-30): About the same
Trading for James Harden in the middle of last season paid off as the Cavaliers reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time without LeBron on their roster since he was drafted in 2003. Cleveland lost Dean Wade but signed EuroLeague star (and one time Magic lottery pick) Mario Hezonja as the franchise leans on continuity to carry it back deep in the postseason.
Toronto Raptors (46-36): To be determined
The Raptors saw a 16-win improvement last season. Toronto then agreed to send Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick and multiple draft picks to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Leonard, who helped the Canadian franchise win a title in 2019. That trade, however, is on pause due to the ongoing investigation into the Clippers and Leonard regarding potential cap circumvention. If the Raptors wind up landing Leonard, that raises the ceiling for an already solid Toronto roster. If the deal falls through, though, it raises questions about how much more the Raptors can improve.
Atlanta Hawks (46-36): About the same
The Hawks pulled the plug on Zaccharie Risacher by recently trading the 2024 No. 1 overall pick to Dallas, and they also acquired Lu Dort from the Thunder. Dort will pair with two-time All-Defensive forward Dyson Daniels to provide Atlanta with elite perimeter defense. Combine that with the re-signing of CJ McCollum and the underrated addition of Aaron Wiggins, and it should put the Hawks in the thick of the playoff race once again.
Philadelphia 76ers (45-37): Moving up
The Sixers stunned the league when they swapped George for Brown and followed it up by winning the LeBron sweepstakes. Those additions to the trio of Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and Joel Embiid create a starting five that feels more like a video-game lineup than one based in reality. Embiid’s health will likely determine their ultimate ceiling, but it’s championship-or-bust in the City of Brotherly Love.
Orlando Magic (45-37): About the same
The Magic are closer to moving up than they are moving down, but in a stacked East, should the franchise have done more to tinker with its roster this summer? The starting five of Jalen Suggs, Desmond Bane, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr. performed well together but was plagued by injuries for a second consecutive season. Largely running it back, Orlando is banking on health, internal improvement and Sweeney’s coaching impact.
Charlotte Hornets (44-38): Moving down
LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges are out. Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale and Naz Reid are in. After nearly reaching the playoffs for the first time in a decade, the Hornets were active on the trade market. Charlotte cashed in on Ball’s best season in years, but did the Hornets lose their identity in the process?
Miami Heat (43-39): Moving up
Although Miami isn’t reuniting with King James, the Heat should still be better this season after acquiring Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis from Milwaukee. The frontcourt duo of Giannis and Bam Adebayo will be a nightmare to face on a nightly basis. Miami also signed Tim Hardaway Jr. but it still needs to fill out its roster.
Milwaukee Bucks (32-50): Moving down
The Bucks landed a haul of young talent (Tyler Herro, Kasparas Jakucionis, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware) from the Heat when they finally traded away Antetokounmpo. Milwaukee also added lottery picks Nate Ament and Brayden Burries to the squad that’ll be led by new coach Taylor Jenkins. Still, it will most likely be a bumpy start to the post-Greek Freak era.
Chicago Bulls (31-51): Moving down
The Bulls finally cleaned house with their front office and also parted ways with coach Billy Donovan. New Bulls executive Bryson Graham hired Trail Blazers interim coach Tiago Splitter and drafted Caleb Wilson fourth overall. The signing of free agent Norman Powell adds some offensive firepower, but things might have to get worse before they get better in Chicago.
Brooklyn Nets (20-62): About the same
The Nets got two-t...
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