Ranking Every NBA Eastern Conference Team Post-Free Agency

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 18: Teammates Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat touch heads before tip off in the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on February 18, 2021 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

2020-21 Record: 48-24, 2nd in East

Key Additions: Signed Patty Mills, drafted Cameron Thomas

With the No. 1 player in the world—that would be Kevin Durant—and his two amigos—that would be James Harden and Kyrie Irving—running it back for a second season, the only thing keeping Brooklyn from waltzing right to the NBA Finals will be the health of the NBA’s best big three. When KD, Harden, and Irving are in the lineup, there isn’t a defense in the league that can keep them in check over a seven game series. Bringing back Blake Griffin was a nice move and signing Patty Mills as the backup point guard makes Brooklyn’s roster a beast in the East.  

2020-21 Record: 46-26, 3rd in East

Key Additions: Acquired Grayson Allen

The champs didn’t do much in free agency because they really couldn’t thanks to their cap situation. But the Bucks will largely look the same as last season and remain one of the top teams in the conference next season because they have the second-best player in the world—the newly minted NBA immortal Giannis Antetokounmpo—paired with two All-Stars/gold medal winners—Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday—that will allow Milwaukee to ferociously defend its title. Losing PJ Tucker wasn’t ideal, but bringing back Bobby Portis was huge and don’t overlook the addition of Grayson Allen who can provide some pop off the bench.

2020-21 Record: 40-32, 6th in East

Key Additions: Acquired Kyle Lowry, signed PJ Tucker

Debatably, the Heat have the third best roster in the East after acquiring Kyle Lowry, luring PJ Tucker away from the Bucks, and re-signing sharpshooter Duncan Robinson. Whether you want to blame Miami’s first-round flameout against the Bucks this past postseason on an NBA Finals hangover or health issues or roster deficiencies, you can’t deny that the Heat re-loaded and upgraded at several key positions during free agency. While the roster may not feature a true superstar—depending on how strict your personal definition of “superstar” is—it is way more dynamic and has the potential to be even better than last year’s squad that finished seventh in adjusted defensive rating.      

2020-21 Record: 41-31, 5th in East

Key Additions: Drafted Jalen Johnson and Sharife Cooper

Practically the same roster as last season’s crew that made a surprise run to the Eastern Conference finals and they did beat Philadelphia...so why wouldn’t we slot them at No. 4 ahead of the Sixers? Trae Young is one of the top 10 point guards in the game—and he’s rapidly approaching top 5 status. The re-signing of John Collins was huge for Atlanta. If players like Cam Reddish and Onyeka Okongwu keep improving, and Atlanta can keep its young core together, the Hawks will be among the top teams in the East for years.

2020-21 Record: 49-23, 1st in East

Key Additions: Signed Andre Drummond

This roster probably looks way different than it does now before the season tips as we all wait on the inevitable—a Ben Simmons trade. If the offensively deficient point guard can somehow net Philadelphia Damian Lillard then the Sixers instantly feature the East’s second best roster. If Simmons brings back something more modest, like CJ McCollum, maybe Philly rolls into the regular season a touch better than the Heat. Regardless, the Sixers still feature Joel Embiid and a competent complement of role players like Seth Curry, Danny Green, and Tobias Harris. But Embiid needs more firepower than that if the Sixers really want to make a run at the franchise’s first Finals since 2001.   

2020-21 Record: 36-36, 7th in East

Key Additions: Acquired Al Horford and Josh Richardson, signed Dennis Schroder

Lot of frustration from Celtics fans who hated seeing their squad make little noise in free agency until they landed Dennis Schroder on a one-year, taxpayer mid-level exceptions deal. Regardless, when you have a duo Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown leading the way you should be able to avoid the Play-In Tournament in the East and that’s why we placed the Celtics sixth. Everything was a struggle last season for Boston and with marginal roster improvements—like bringing back Al Horford—and a new voice in first-time head coach Ime Udoka, I’d bet the Celtics are better than .500 next season.

2020-21 Record: 41-31, 4th in East

Key Additions: Signed Kemba Walker, Evan Fournier

The East’s surprise squad last season ultimately did well for itself in free agency with Kemba Walker stabilizing the starting point guard position and Evan Fournier providing firepower to alleviate some of the offensive burden from Julius Randle. So why did the fourth best team in the East last season end up seventh in our summer rankings? Well, it’s tough to put New York higher than six other squads when you’re not sure if its best player is now perennially an All-NBA talent (as Randle was last season) or more of the guy we saw in the postseason. Overall, it’s a better roster than last season’s. The problem is the East got a lot deeper.

2020-21 Record: 31-41, 11th in East

Key Additions: Acquired DeMar DeRozan and Lonzo Ball, signed Alex Caruso

Other than Washington’s, no roster in the East looks as different from last season’s as Chicago’s. Zach LaVine now gets to hoop with some legit ballers thanks to the Bulls’ aggressive moves in free agency. While some might argue the roster was put together awkwardly—there wasn’t a ton of praise over the addition of DeMar DeRozan while landing Lonzo Ball was a home run—you can’t deny that Chicago isn’t way more talented than last year’s team that briefly flirted with earning a Play-In berth. The Bulls are going to score; the question is whether then can adequately defend. It feels like no team in the conference has a higher potential ceiling versus its floor than the Bulls.

2020-21 Record: 34-38, 9th in East

Key Additions: Drafted Chris Duarte and Isaiah Jackson

A good, but far from great roster that should once again compete for a berth in the Play-In Tournament. Remember that Rick Carlisle takes over coaching duties for a team that hasn’t made it past the first-round of the playoffs since back-to-back conference finals appearances in 2013 and 2014.

2020-21 Record: 33-39, 10th in East

Key Additions: Drafted James Bouknight and Kai Jones, Signed Kelly Oubre Jr.

There’s a lot to like about what Charlotte’s doing. You just wish they more adequately addressed their biggest issue entering free agency—the center position—than trading for Mason Plumlee. Kelly Oubre is a solid addition on the wing and it’s not hard to imagine James Bouknight and LaMelo Ball developing into a dynamic offensive backcourt. Competing for a second-straight Play-In Tournament berth sounds about right for this club.

2020-21 Record: 34-38, 8th in East

Key Additions: Acquired Spencer Dinwiddie, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, Aaron Holiday

Short term, the Wizards are worse off for dealing Russell Westbrook to the Lakers. Westbrook’s energy is so valuable during the regular-season, Washington will absolutely miss the spark plug point guard who helped lead the Wizards, along with sharpshooter Bradley Beal, to an unlikely playoff berth last season. Over the long haul, it’s probably better for the Wizards that Russ was dealt since it frees up substantial money over the next few summers to potentially attract a second star to DC should Beal decide to sign a max extension. The roster now features a bunch of good players, but only one great player and in an increasing stacked East it could be tough for the new-look Wizards to make the playoffs. 

2020-21 Record: 27-45, 12th in East

Key Additions: Drafted Scottie Barnes

Too low for a roster featuring Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam? No. The Raptors are going through a soft rebuild and don’t be surprised if Siakam ends up being dealt. If Scottie Barnes, who surprised many draft observers by going fourth to Toronto, provides offensive pop then maybe the Raptors can surprise and flirt with a Play-In berth. The champs from three seasons ago look destined to be a lottery team for the second straight season.

2020-21 Record: 20-52, 15th in East

Key Additions: Drafted Cade Cunningham

Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Stewart performed above and beyond expectations as rookies last season. Now Detroit adds No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham to the mix, exponentially improving the talent level of the young team from just a couple of campaigns ago. The Pistons actually appear to have a decent a future, if they exercise some patience, when it wasn’t so long ago that the franchise looked completely lost.  

2020-21 Record: 22-50, 13th in East

Key Additions: Drafted Evan Mobley, acquired Ricky Rubio

On a positive note, Cleveland should feature one of the best defensive frontcourts after taking Evan Mobley third in the draft and signing Jarrett Allen to a big deal in free agency. On the other end of the spectrum, Kevin Love’s days with the organization will probably come to an end via buyout and there’s a pretty good chance the Cavs breakup the Darius Garland-Collin Sexton backcourt. The Cavs will struggle, again, since LeBron James is not walking through that door to save Cleveland.

2020-21 Record: 21-51, 14th in East

Key Additions: Drafted Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner

Orlando started tearing it down at the trade deadline this past March so besting last season’s 21 wins will be a helluva accomplishment considering how young and inexperienced the roster is heading into next season. The Magic lucked out snagging the accomplished Jalen Suggs in the draft, but it’ll be picking high in the lottery for next few seasons.