One Reason To Be Excited for the Knicks, Sixers, and Every Eastern Conference Team in 2026–27

With the offseason in full swing, basketball fans have no choice but to await the upcoming season eagerly. Whether it’s a team vying for a title, the top pick (which will look a little bit weird this year), or delusional success, every fanbase has something to hope for in the new season.  

Atlanta Hawks: A chance to run it back

Last season in Atlanta felt like two completely different chapters. Under Trae Young’s leadership, the Hawks initially appeared adrift in the Eastern Conference. However, a mid-season trade injection revitalized the team, sparking an 11-game winning streak that propelled them into the playoffs.

There, they proved to be the Knicks' toughest test, handing New York two of its three total playoff defeats. Now bolstered by offseason additions, the Hawks aim to replicate the elite form they displayed in the latter half of the year and determine where they can finish with a full season of high-level basketball.

Boston Celtics: Joe Mazzula can make it work

It’s difficult to defend the Celtics’ offseason given how they handled the Jaylen Brown situation. That said, they did improve the roster overall by adding Mitchell Robinson and Paul George. Essentially, they’ve replaced Brown with a healthy Jayson Tatum and a stronger supporting cast. While the Brown-Tatum duo would have been more dynamic, Joe Mazzulla has a track record of exceeding expectations, as seen this past regular season. If anyone can make this tumultuous offseason look like a success, it’s him.

Brooklyn Nets: The Backcourt of the Future

Between Brooklyn not owning this year’s draft pick and the new lottery system there’s no incentive for them to lose. Even with the addition of Julius Randle however, it’s hard to imagine them going far in a stacked eastern conference.

This season does provide a valuable opportunity to develop their potentially dynamic guard tandem of Egor Demin and Mikel Brown Jr. for the long term though. Demin looked great in summer league, showing off his improved size and shot creation.

Brown displayed the upside that made the Nets draft him in the first place. These young guards have the unique opportunity to play on a team trying to win with nothing to lose. 

Charlotte Hornets: A Sense of Direction 

After years of irrelevance, the Hornets finally had a meaningful season last year. They were one of the best teams in the entire league after the All-Star break. And while they got rid of the engine of that offense, trading Lamelo is a play for the future.

Charlotte will likely take a step back this year, but they have a foundation in Brandon Miller and Kon, and they have added reliable veterans to a cast of promising draft picks. The Hornets won’t be as exciting this year, but they capitalized on LaMelo at the right time and are finally taking steps in the right direction.

Chicago Bulls: Caleb Wilson can be That Guy

Chicago had a really good all-around offseason. The best move by far though, was their 4th overall selection of Caleb Wilson. The former Tar Heel is a dynamic wing who has extreme upside and absolutely dominated in the summer league. In college, the one concern in his game was shooting, but he looked comfortable shooting it in Vegas.

Besides the possibility of Wilson becoming the franchise cornerstone in Chicago, his highlights alone are enough to make this season exciting to watch. 

Cleveland Cavaliers: The Starting Lineup

Peyton Watson fills a role that the Cavs have been missing. An athletic, defensive minded wing. He showed that he can be a scorer as well, averaging 22 points on great efficiency during a month where the Nuggets were missing most of their starters this year.

Cleveland boasts one of the league’s most dynamic backcourts, while their frontcourt remains exceptionally effective—particularly in an era that favors the "double big" lineup. Although their bench remains unproven, this starting unit possesses the strength to shoulder the load.

Detroit Pistons: Ebuka Okorie

The Pistons did basically nothing to help Cade on the offensive end. Their additions of John Collins and Isaiah Joe were offset by the losses of Tobias Harris and Caris Levert. They still haven’t been able to sort out the Jalen Duran situation either. The one thing they did do in an effort to help their superstar was draft Ebuka Okorie at 17.

The guard out of Stanford averaged 23 ppg in college as the lead ball handler. If his game translates to the NBA level, the Pistons have found the creator they desperately need. 

Indiana Pacers: The Return of Tyrese Haliburton

When we last saw the Pacers at full strength, they were on the brink of an NBA championship. Last year was rough for them, finishing 14th in the East, but with Haliburton returning, they should be back in business.

Ivica Zubac at center gives them a different look, but pairing a good pick-and-roll partner with the former assist champion adds a new wrinkle to an already good team. We’ll have to wait to see whether the Pacers can return to championship form. Either way, this season should be much more exciting than last year. 

Miami Heat: Finally Have a Real Star 

The Heat have gone on some deep playoff runs in recent history, but it was never easy. Led by Jimmy Butler, their miraculous postseason was always made more difficult by their lack of regular-season success. Now with Giannis as the main option, Miami will likely find themselves out of the play-in and possibly even without home-court advantage.

This new dynamic also gives them an undeniable scoring option, which was never the case with Jimmy or Bam. Of course, the Greek Freak’s health has been a concern as of late. But even still, the Heat should just be happy to finally have some breathing room. 

Milwaukee Bucks: The Drama is Over

Losing a top-five player in the world is obviously a big blow, but it felt like Giannis was holding the Bucks hostage for the last few years. The reality of him leaving was looming for a while, and all of their moves were dictated by that possibility.

Even with that in mind, they were never able to put together a contending roster after their 2021 championship. Now that Giannis is actually gone, the Bucks can move on and build from the ground up again. They won’t be very good, but they have some promising young players, and they can make the necessary moves to compete without walking on eggshells. 

New York Knicks: Running it Back

No decisions, no drama, and no disappointment. The reigning NBA champs get to try it again. That’s it. Outside of Mitchell Robinson, every major piece from the title win is back. The East is much stronger than it was last year, but once the Knicks repurposed KAT, they looked unstoppable. New Yorkers should be excited to deploy that winning formula throughout the entire season.

Orlando Magic: A Chance to Evaluate the Future with Paolo

The Magic were one of the most disappointing teams in the league last year. Their playoff series was a surprise to many, but it wasn’t enough for coach Jamahl Mosley to keep his position. With Mosley now gone, a new coaching staff will reveal if the system was really the problem or if Paolo’s style of play is the issue.

It could very well be that Orlando will finish the season in mediocrity again, but if the front office looks to the future, it might be time to make some big decisions. 

Philadelphia 76ers: The Best Team in the League on Paper

Whether you’re a believer in this team or not, the star power in Philly is undeniable. The starting lineup includes four All-NBA caliber players, and the supporting cast is pretty well-rounded, too. Of course, not all that glitters is gold. We’ve seen plenty of star-studded teams implode in the recent past. That doesn’t take away from the potential of what this team can be, and in the best-case scenario, they can be one of the greatest teams of all time. 

Toronto Raptors: Kawhi+Scottie Barnes 

While there is a reality that would make Toronto’s locker room really awkward, it seems like Kawhi will play for the Raptors as of now. In that case the Raptors would have the most dynamic two way duo in the NBA. Scottie impressed as an offensive option during the playoffs but he’d be even more effective playing off of a star like Kawhi.

The defensive end would be nightmarish for opposing offenses as well. Kawhi isn’t the same defender he once was, but he is still more than capable and Scottie is arguably the most versatile defender in the league. This tandem will keep the Raptors in any game one way or another.

Washington Wizards: Relevance

It feels like the Wizards have been the worst team in the NBA since the beginning of time, but they finally managed to turn things around. If everything stays on line, their starting five is one of the better opening lineups in the league.

Their young talent has a strong veteran group to lean on, and the overall talent is impressive. We haven’t seen any of it in action yet, but the Wizards will be making a real playoff push for the first time in a while.