Offseason Power Rankings: Eastern Conference
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jimmy Butler head up two of the East’s top teams for 2020-21.
The last eight days have been intense for the Atlanta Hawks, Detroit Pistons and Milwaukee Bucks. In turning over the Pistons’ roster, new general manager Troy Weaver has already traded two guys who weren’t on his team when the transaction moratorium was lifted last Monday.
For a few other Eastern Conference teams — the Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers and Orlando Magic — the last eight days have been pretty quiet. A couple of Draft picks, an end-of-the-roster trade and only the smallest bites in free agency.
The most important decision of this abbreviated offseason is the one in the hands of the two-time reigning Kia MVP. And if Giannis Antetokounmpo chooses not to sign his contract extension (he has until Dec. 21), things will take a dramatic turn in a few select markets around the league.
For now, while there have been a lot of changes, no team (in either conference) has acquired a huge talent upgrade. So the contenders remain the contenders, though the Brooklyn Nets are joining the fray with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving both returning to health. The impact of coaching changes (in Brooklyn, Chicago, Indiana, New York and Philadelphia, along with four teams in the West) might be just as interesting as the effects of trades and free agency.
There are other loose ends to tie and more trades could certainly go down at any point. We’re jumping the gun a little bit in that the Sacramento Kings have yet to make a decision on the offer sheet that Bogdan Bogdanovic has signed with the Hawks. But with training camps set to open in a week, it’s time to sort through where these teams stand.
Is there a clear favorite in the East? Is there a clear hierarchy within the top five? Should the Sixers be back in the middle of that group with better fitting pieces and a new coach? Time will tell and some of the rankings below are sure to look foolish five months from now. Last year’s offseason East rankings got the playoff teams right, but had the eventual conference champs at No. 7.
* * *
For this year’s offseason rankings, we’re looking at each conference separately and we’ll have Western Conference rankings later this week. The rankings include reported moves that have not been officially announced. A complete list of official moves can be found here. All stats refer to the 2019-20 regular season unless otherwise noted.
Previous Power Rankings
• Aug. 10: West play-in race highlights final week before playoffs
• This time last offseason: Mid-Summer Power Rankings: Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers at the top of the East — Kawhi Leonard left the champs for L.A. and the Celtics lost half their playoff rotation. The Bucks led Malcolm Brogdon go, while the Sixers swapped Jimmy Butler and J.J. Redick for Al Horford and Josh Richardson. The Nets landed Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in free agency, but would have to wait on KD.
Stats Key
Pace: Possessions per 48 minutes (League Rank)
OffRtg: Points scored per 100 possessions (League Rank)
DefRtg: Points allowed per 100 possessions (League Rank)
NetRtg: Point differential per 100 possessions (League Rank)
The league averaged 100.8 possessions (per team) per 48 minutes and 110.1 points scored per 100 possessions last season.
NBA.com’s Power Rankings, released every Monday during the season, are just one man’s opinion. If you have an issue with the rankings, or have a question or comment for John Schuhmann, send him an e-mail or contact him via Twitter.
The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA, its clubs or WarnerMedia.
