Eastern Conference Preview

[The Athletic]

It is October.  Basketball Dynasty 26 Free Agency has concluded. Football has just started but more importantly players from all over the world have reported to training camp.  Basketball season is just around the corner.

It is time to get the 2018 Season Previews. I'm as excited for this season as any. In my opinion, the quality and competition between general managers is at its highest peak in league history. Everyone is motivated and pushing to make their team the best it can be.


Before we get to it, a couple news and notes:

We'll start as usual with the American League, in descending order this year to build the suspense. For each team, I'll have a projected lineup, something good, something bad, and something new this season, a three year projection.

A note, these are always fun to look back at it, and can be completely wrong.  Last year I had the Pelicans finishing 4th in their own division and they won it outright with only two losses.  These are just where I see things as of now, but a lot can change, so without further ado.

Here we go.



15. Miami Heat

2019 Projected Record: 2-12

Projected Starting Lineup:
PG- Trey Burke 
SG- Lonnie Walker IV
SF- Jeff Green
PF- Marvin Bagley III
C- Deandre Ayton
UTIL- De'Aaron Fox 
UTIL- Jordan Bell

B- Henry Ellenson
B- Thon Maker
B- DJ Wilson
B- Harry Giles
B- Caleb Swanigan 

The Good:
The fact that this is the worst team in the East is really good for the league.  In past years we've had teams with really no assets.  The Heat mimic teams some teams in the NBA with little to no chance of making the playoffs but with a ton of potential down the line.  The good is pretty obvious, the Heat have the two top picks from this past years draft Deandre Ayton and Marvin Bagley.  Ayton already looked like a monster in his first NBA game with 24 and 10 and should be given every opportunity to succeed this season.  Ayton should be a franchise corner piece for this team for years to come and the Heat should be thrilled to have his services.  Bagley may not have the same ceiling as Ayton but he dominated college and again should be given every opportunity to succeed on a young Sacramento team this year. Fox will also be in that same position, he showed flashes last year but overall needs to be more consistent, this will be a huge second year for the young lefty point guard.  Overall this team is just loaded with young talent.  Giles, Bell, Walker, Swanigan, and Ellenson are all promising players and should be in positions to take steps forward in their development this year.  Oh and also, that Burke signing that was laughed at last year has actually turned into a great signing, Burke has figured it out and figures to get solid minutes for the rebuilding Knicks. 


The Bad:
I wouldn't even call it bad, but this team just isn't there yet.  They are going to struggle to win games this year because all their guys are still 3-4 years away from their prime.  But again the Heat front office are aware of this, they are going to grow this team organically and let the players develop.  This just means that in the mean time it's going to be a struggle to win games.  There aren't any bad contracts on this team either, so for now the Heat are fully in wait and see mode. 


Three Years Out:  
If all things go well this team should easily be a playoff team in three years.  That would put Ayton, Bagley, and Fox at right at the edge of their primes.  I have high hopes for Giles, Bell, and Walker as well.  Those 3 are really going to be key to how quickly this thing turns around for Miami.  IF they develop quickly and play to their potential this team could be even a championship contender as these young pieces are cheap the first couple years giving the Heat flexibility to use money to add free agent depth around them.  OF course these players could also flop leaving the Heat back at square 1.  Overall though the Heat have 7+ players under 23 with a lot of potential.  They should rack up more picks this and maybe next year as a result of not quite being ready, and if the right buttons are pressed this is a playoff team and potential contender in three years time.  

[The Athletic]

14. Boston Celtics 


2019 Projected Record: 2-12 

Projected Roster: 
PG- Tery Rozier 
SG- Dwayne Wade
SF- Josh Jackson
PF- JaMychael Green
C- Jahlil Okafor
UTIL- Markelle Fultz
UTIL- George Hill

B- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
B- OG Anunoby 
B- Pat McCaw
B- Anthony Tolliver
B-Ben McClemore

The Good: 
Another team that is just a couple years away.  The Celtics had a team that could have competed in the East, but decided to tear down and rebuild this team from the ground up.  They have a lot of assets now in the form of picks.  They have 4 1sts heading into next years draft something that is obviously good.  But aside from the picks they have a lot of young talent.  Markelle Fultz is as gifted as just about anybody.  Obviously he had his very public issues last year, but all signs point to him being a different player from last year and he should get every opportunity to show off his talent this year.  Josh Jackson is another guy oozing with upside.  He played very well down the stretch of last year demonstrating an ability to defend at a high level and score in multiple ways.  He still needs a lot of work overall on his offensive polish.  He looked pretty shaky offensively in summer league but again he is still just a kid and the Celtics should be in no rush with his development.  SGA is another guy to keep an eye on, he should get more run towards the second half of the year, and has a lot of potential in here because of his do it all style.  Terry Rozier and OG are also valuable pieces who should continue to take steps forward in their development. 

The Bad:
Similar to the Heat the Celtics just aren't good enough to win many basketball games this year.  Their best player as of now (Terry Rozier) won't even be starting on his own team and could struggle to see more than 25 minutes a game.  Again that isn't really the Celtics worry as of now but not winning games is bad.  The Celtics also have taken on some bad contracts right now, Wade and JaMychael Green are gross deals, but again the Celtics aren't competing right now.  Overall the Celtics have to try and avoid the trap of rebuilding for years and years.  They eventually have to consciously choose to take a step forward and hopefully they do that. 

3 Years Out: 
Just like the Heat it is going to come down to what the timeline is for the Celtics front office.  If they want to compete they 100% can in the next 3 years.  They will need SGA, Fultz, and Jackson to take large and quick steps in their developments, but that is something that is very doable.  A lot of it will also come down to their use of draft picks.  Will they draft correctly? Will they use the picks to acquire proven talent?  A little bit of both?  Their is a large number of paths for this Celtics team and it is up to Brandon to get them on the right one.  A very interesting storyline to monitor is Terry Rozier.  It is hard to predict what will happen with him this year.  On one hand it is clear how important he is to the Celtics, he's proven his talent and worth, but on another he is clearly behind Kyrie Irving and the Celtics just have an absolute absurd amount of talent.  It's going to be hard for him to get over 25 minutes.  With that being said will the Celtics look to deal him for more assets or do they consider him a key piece of what they are trying to do and sign him long term?   If all goes well this Celtics team should be a playoff team in three years, but a lot has to happen.  

[The Athletic]

13.  Charlotte Hornets 


2019 Projected Record: 4-10

Projected Starting Lineup:

PG- Lonzo Ball
SG- Terrence Fergueson
SF- Brandon Ingram
PF- John Collins
C- Ivan Rabb
UTIL- Emmanuel Mudiay
UTIL- Dion Waiters 

B- Justin Jackson
B- Donte DiVencenzo
B- Evan Turner
B- Dragan Bender
B- Marvin Williams

The Good:
The good news with this Hornets team is that they have an engaged front office who has a good knowledge of the league and how to improve.  Just last year, despite being seen as a lotto team the Hornets came just a win away from making their first ever playoff appearance in league history.  Kennan will do what he can to continue to get better, without giving up the youth.  The Hornets feature two of my favorites from this past years draft.  John Collins flashed a lot of potential in his first year with the Hawks and should have a full time gig this year.  I can see him averaging close to 15 and 10, with his high energy.  It's safe to say the Hornets got a good one in Collins.  Next is obviously Lonzo Ball.  Lonzo when healthy last year was really good, his game is perfect for this league as he really does it all and is rewarded for his knack for stealing balls.  If he can stay healthy the Hornets will need him to take big steps this year.   Brandon Ingram has also flashed a lot of potential and the Hornets will have to hope that playing with Lebron will help expedite his maturation. 


The Bad: 
After the aforementioned three players there is very little long term pieces on this team.  Waiters flashed an ability to be a big piece two years ago, but a tough year last year has made it hard to still envision that.  He also looks a little... fluffly in the Heat's team pictures and one has to wonder if weight will be an issue again for him moving forward.  Bender has had plenty of time and really hasn't showed much but there still is some hope there.  The Hornets have to hope that one of Fergueson, Donte, or Jackson prove themselves as a long term piece, but I don't know that i've seen enough from Terrance or Jackson to be too excited.  Time is still on both players sides though.  Overall there isn't as much talent on this team as some others in the league but expect the Hornets to somehow grind out wins, Mudiay, Turner, Williams are all decent pieces, but don't provide much actual value. 


Three Years Out:
The Hornets fortunes in 3 years really depend on the development of Ball, Ingram, and Collins.  I think Collins is pretty safe as a high floor guy.  In three years he genuinely could be an 18 and 10+ guy if he develops on the offensive end.  Ingram and Ball are where the projecting gets fun.  Best case, Lebron has a huge impact on the two's growth and Ingram grows into a dominant scorer with the ability to rebound and share the ball.  Lonzo's peak is a triple double threat every night with the ability to average 2+ steals a game.  Obviously both are a far ways away from this, but three years will allow for a lot of growth.  One thing is for sure if the three reach the level they can this will be a really fun team.  A lot of work left for Kennan but he will sure be up to the task.
 

[The Athletic]

12.  Milwaukee Bucks 



2019 Projected Record: 4-10 

Projected Starting Lineup: 
PG- Jalen Brunson
SG- Norman Powell
SF-Joe Ingles
PF- Giannis Antetekoumpo
C- Tyson Chandler
UTIL- Thabo Sefolosha
UTIL- Seth Curry

B- Kristaps Porzingis
B- Wes Inwundu
B- Omri Casspi 
B- Kyle Korver 
B- Jeremy Lin 

The Good:  
The Bucks have been a perennial powerhouse in the East really ever since the league has opened.  In the past two years the Bucks have coasted to a division title and two top 3 seeds.  This year might be a little different, but let's not get too into that right now.  The Bucks do have two of the best young building blocks in the league right now.  Giannis is easily a top 3 piece in the league right now.  His combination of age, potential, and ability right now is unparalleled and should easily be a top 5 guy over the next decade.  Zinger suffered the terrible injury last year and it remains to be seen if he'll be the same.  With that being said you can't teach his combo of size and skill set and I expect him to be back and lead the Bucks and Knicks to a lot of success over the years.  Outside of those two the talent level is a little barre but Seth Curry could carve out a nice role in Portland this season and was a nice pick up for the Bucks. 

The Bad: 
The Bucks have been a power house over the past years but this year is going to be a little different.  The Bucks lack a lot of depth outside of Giannis and Zinger.  Zinger should be out for awhile and the Knicks really have no reason to rush him back.  The Bucks just don't have a ton of talent this year and will have to rely very heavily on Giannis all year.  Tyson isn't getting any younger and in general this team just needs a little bit of a rehaul to work around Giannis and Zinger.

3 Years Down the Line: 
The Bucks are set up well for the future with a number of draft picks piled up and two of the best young pieces in the game.  If Jacoby plays his cards well and builds some depth around his two studs this team can be right back as an Eastern Conference powerhouse in three years.  This year may not be the bucks year but the future is bright in Milwaukee.
  

[The Athletic]

11.  Detroit Pistons 



2019 Projected Record: 5-9

Projected Starting Lineup:
PG- Darren Collison 
SG- Zach Lavine
SF- Kawhi Leonard
PF- Kevin Love 
C- Kyle O'Quinn 
UTIL- Bojan Bogdonovic 
UTIL- Reggie Bullock

B- Sterling Brown
B- Langston Galloway
B- Mikal Bridges
B- Solomon Hill
B- Robin Lopez 

The Good:
The Pistons didn't have the best season last year as their best player spent most of the year on the bench.  The good thing is that this year it seems like Kawhi is locked in and ready to go and should return to being the top 5 player that he is, that alone will help the Pistons season significantly.  The Pistons also have some really nice pieces outside of Leonard as well.  Kevin Love is a beast and we forget the fantasy monster he was before he went to Cleveland and had to play with two ball dominant guys.  He should have the full keys to the offense and could have a monster year in Cleveland.  Outside of those two Lavine had a really solid year in Chicago and while he definitely needs to work on his passing and defense his fantasy game has come along nicely and he should be a solid third piece around Love and Leonard.  I loved Bridges in college and while he still has a lot of work to do before becoming fantasy relevant he is another nice piece to have.  


The Bad:
Outside of the players named above the Pistons are pretty bare of talent.  Kyle O'Quinn is not good enough to be a starter on a playoff team, Collison should start to fade out in Indiana with the drafting of Aaron Holiday and the signing of Tyreke Evans.  Bojan has showed some promise here and there but not enough to ever consider him a meaningful piece moving forward.  Robin Lopez is another guy who has been solid in the past but has started to faze out at this point in his career.  Really the Pistons have no true role players outside of Kawhi, Lavine, and Love.  All three of those players carry risk as well, so if any of them were to get hurt this team would be in real big trouble.  This team will win some games on the backs of their stars, but this is a team that is going to struggle with consistency over the course of the season.  There still is time to address this however.    


Three Years Out:
Like we just talked about the team has three studs and then it sort of drys up.  This team has the potential to be good in 3 years, all three of their key pieces expire at different years.  Leonard is a free agent next year and you'd have to believe the Pistons will do everything they can to re-sign him.  Love expires in 2 years, and it'll be interesting to see if in two years Kevin Love is still an elite fantasy contributor.  Lavine was just re-signed and has another 4 years in the Pistons blue.  It really is hard to predict where this team will be because it could blow up at any moment.  If the Pistons feel there just isn't enough of a shot of them competing that probably means Kevin Love is gone, and a lot will depend on the haul they get for them.  I think Kawhi is pretty safe, but you just never know with him in a new system.  And really Lavine is good for 25 a game, but can he take that next step to averaging 30+ a game? We'll see.  On top of that the Pistons would love if Bridges can develop into a solid three and D guy capable of averaging upwards of 25 a game.  A lot of things can happen and it's impossible to predict where this team will be in three years, but if the right moves are made this is a playoff team.  They have the assets to make it work. 

[The Athletic]

10.  Cleveland Cavaliers 



2019 Projected Record: 5-9

Projected Starting Lineup:
PG- Jamaal Murray 
SG- JJ Reddick
SF- Justice Winslow
PF- Jarren Jackson Jr. 
C- Nikola Jokic 
UTIL- Dwight Powell 
UTIL- Jakob Poetl

B- Aaron Holiday
B- Michael Porter Jr.
B- Dzanan Musa
B- TJ Leaf
B- Mitchell Robinson 

The Good:
This Cavaliers team has fun young pieces up and down all over the roster.  First let's start with the obvious, the 23 year old Serbian big man Nikola Jokic is one of the best young building blocks in the league and is poised for another monster season.  The Nuggets offense is built around Jokic and he should continue to do it all for them for this season and years to come.  After the big man the main pieces are Jamaal Murray and Jarren Jackson Jr.  Jamaal has shown flashes of brilliance during his career but has yet to put together a monster season start to finish, this could be the year.  Jarren Jackson is someone this front office values highly considering they moved their prized point guard Kyrie Irving for him.  His development this year is going to be key for this Cavaliers team moving forward.  Outside of these three there are a lot of young interesting guys to monitor.  Poetl had some really good games in Toronto and it'll be interesting to see what his role is in San Antonio.  Mitchell Robinson is loaded with upside and while he probably won't make a huge impact this year, he's as gifted as any big man in this past years class.  Aaron Holiday is another guy unlikely to make a splash this year, but someone to definitely keep an eye on in the future.  Overall, almost every player on this roster has potential and while it might not be quite ready yet, this team will be a fun team to watch develop.   


The Bad:
Nikola Jokic doesn't quite have the help he needs to get this team far in the playoffs, let alone even into the playoffs.  Last year, the Cavs showed potential as a team that could be on the playoff radar coming into this year.  It isn't necessarily bad, but when management decided to move on from Kyrie this off-season it somewhat signaled that the Cavs would need another year or two before being playoff relevant.  With some luck here and there the Cavs could sneak in, but right now the depth just isn't there.  The team has 6 players who are either in their first and second years, and a couple more who have been in the league for 4 or less years.  Winslow needs to take a leap in production and his development in order to be seen as a key piece and JJ is getting older and may be wasting his last couple productive years on a team that isn't quite ready to compete.  Overall the team is just too young to compete this year, but it is getting close. 


Three Years Out:
Similar to the jump the Nets took this past summer, the Cavs could take that jump anytime in the next 3 years.  Obviously the team will look to re-sign their franchise big man this summer and Murray the next.  The team is just loaded with potential and if guys like Holiday, Musa, Poetl, Jackson, and Porter Jr.  make significant strides year by year we could be looking at a powerhouse in the East for awhile.  The team has money to spend in the coming years, and management has shown it is shrewd and will make the best long term decision.  The key here is going to be avoiding that cycle that some owners get stuck in and continually rebuilding for 5 years.  Cavs is almost done with the hard part, and when they have a window to compete they have to make the necessary moves and seize their opportunity.  If the right moves are made this team isn't just a playoff team in 3 years but a championship contender.  Let's see how it folds out. 


Cleveland Cavaliers (Jon)

[The Athletic]

9. Washington Wizards 

2019 Projected Record: 7-7

Projected Starting Lineup:
PG- Dennis Schroeder
SG- Courtney Lee
SF- Otto Porter
PF- Dario Saric 
C- Jonas Valanciunas 
UTIL- Bam Adebayo
UTIL- Reggie Jackson

B- Aaron Harrison
B- Allen Crabbe
B- Michael Beasley
B- Maxi Kleber
B- Isiah Thomas

The Good:
This team probably has the widest range of outcomes for any team in the league.  A lot of it starts with management this Wizards owner has shown he can be one of the best in the league he just needs to be active to achieve this.  This team kinda turns away from the traditional build of teams in here with no stars but a lot of depth across the board.  The foundation of his team begins with two players, Otto Porter Jr. and Jonas Valanciunas.  JV has struggled in years past with Casey keeping him on a tight leash, but when playing JV is just about as productive as they come.  With new coach nick Nurse and a more open and flowing offense, JV could really be in for a sneaky huge year.  Otto Porter has shown flashes of brilliance but just hasn't been quite healthy or consistent enough to warrant being called a star, however he is still extremely important to the Wizards both in here and in real life.  If he takes strides this year he could be considered a star after this year.  Saric is another depth piece who is really solid, there continues to be more and more mouths to feed in Philly, but he rebounds and passes too well to not be effective in some capacity.  The rest of the team really can't be seen as super important pieces moving forwards, but there is a lot of solid players on this team like Reggie, Crabbe, Lee, and Schroeder who provide valuable depth.  


The Bad:
The depth is kinda a double edged sword in this case.  Yes, there are is going to be a lot of depth, but if JV and Porter struggle at the top it's going to put a lot of pressure on clear secondary pieces and it might not be enough.  Schroeder in years past has had a clear role in Atlanta.  That is not the case this year, yes the Thunder will find minutes for him, and yes he is talented.  But efficiency has never really been his thing and so he is either going to be really hot or really not and that is going to lead to some tough games.  I've never been the biggest Reggie Jackson fan, but he is talented.  He needs to be able to stay healthy and hasn't been able to do that in the past year, even now i'm not sure if he'll be ready for opening night.  Overall the lack of starpower is going to be tough.  IT is going to be locked into a scoring role off the bench but who knows if he'll ever be the same or even close to same after all the injuries he's had over the past couple years.  The potential is there for this team to make a run, but they are going to needs to make some moves and have a little luck as well. 


Three Years Out:
Another team where is really impossible to tell.  Obviously the Wizards are going to look to re-sign JV after this year but he could come at a pretty big cost if he has a big year.  Outside of Porter Bam, and JV nobody really stands out as a long term piece.  The Wizards have consistently been a playoff team since the start of the league, and if ownership is up to the task there really should be no reason this team isn't a playoff team in the three years, but it is going to take work.  If the Wizards struggle to make a run this year in an improved East ownership may have to decide if it is time to break it all down and look to rebuild through the draft and young players.  We'll see, again Washington Wizards (octstuff) has never really had issues making the playoffs so it's tough to see him out in 3 years, but he has work to do. 

[The Athletic]

8. Atlanta Hawks 



2019 Projected Record: 8-6

Projected Starting Lineup:
PG- Damian Lillard
SG- James Harden
SF- Wes Matthews
PF- Montrezl Harrell 
C- Mason Plumlee
UTIL- Tyler Johnson 
UTIL- Cody Zeller

B- Shlevin Mack
B- Joe Harris 
B- Marco Bellinelli
B- Jon Leuer
B- Brandon Jennings

The Good:
I'm giving the nod for the 8th seed to Atlanta Hawks (Trey) because he's my boy and really do think he has enough this year to sneak into the playoffs.  Let's start with the obvious.  The Hawks have one of the best if not the best 1-2 combo in the league with James Harden and Damian Lillard.  Both are durable and both are studs, and will be key to leading this team to the playoffs.  With those two you don't need a ton of depth around them, and honestly the Hawks don't have much depth, but they do have just enough so let's get into the pieces.  Wes Matthews is washed up and old, and may start to get fazed out in Dallas but for now he's probably still good enough to be a contributor to this team.  Harrell is a per minute machine and while he probably doesn't average over 22-25 minutes a game he will no doubt produce in the minutes he is given.  Mason Plumlee is similar in that he is guaranteed a 20 minute role and always seems to produce in the minutes he is given, and likewise with Tyler Johnson.  I think a sneaky X-factor this year is going to be Cody Zeller.  Zeller should have carve out the starting center role in Charlotte and as a result provide a lot of value and depth for this Hawks team.  It's not a championship contender but the Trey should have a winner on his hands and with a couple moves you really never know.  

The Bad:
I kinda touched on it earlier the team lacks a ton of depth outside of Harden and Lillard, it could be a lot worse but it definitely could be a lot better.  Wes Matthews is in danger of getting fazed out as he's been okay the past couple years on a bad Mavs team, but the team is starting to look better and better.  The team also doesn't have very good position eligibility, as 5 of their players are shooting guards.  The wing and down low need some serious help.  Overall I know Trey doesn't want to move Lillard and Harden but he'll most likely need to if he wants to be able to truly improve the squad.  This team may be a playoff contender but that's just about it's peak, so Trey will need to decide if he is content with having his first ever playoff appearance or if he wants to build this thing for the long term.  Either way there is a lot to like Harden and Lillard but not much else outside of that.  


Three Years Out:
Harden and Lillard will still be in their primes in three years and while it will be towards the back end of their primes they still should be high end producers.  Still in this type of league I highly doubt both or even one of them are still on this roster in 3 years.  Again for this to be a long term sucess Trey will probably need to find value for one or two of them to be well rounded as a franchise.  Zeller and Harrell are decent long term pieces and I was a fan of the signing of Tyler Johnson.  It really is impossible to predict where this team will be three years out, but Trey did a trey-mendous job this summer building this Hawks team back into contention.  All it takes is a few smart trades, a sneaky free agent pick up here and there and you never know.  I have full belief Trey will get this Hawks team figured out making them a staple in the Eastern Conference playoffs for the foreseeable future. 

[The Athletic]

7. Orlando Magic 

Projected 2019 Record: 8-6


Projected Starting Lineup:
PG- Patty Mills
SG- Evan Fournier 
SF- Jayson Tatum
PF- Jonathon Isaac 
C- Myles Turner
UTIL- Enes Kanter 
UTIL- Miles Bridges

B- Frank Jackson
B- Jerryd Bayless
B- Kyhri Thomas
B- Justin Patton
B- Troy Brown Jr. 

The Good:
The Magic were able to sneak into the playoffs last year and should be able to do the same this year with all their core players returning and getting a year better.  The good is pretty obvious, the Magic have two key corner stones in Jayson Tatum and Myles Turner.  Some people may have given up on Turner ever becomign an elite big man, but I am not one of them.  It looks like he transformed his body in the summer and should step in and be one of the focal points along side Oladipo in Indiana this year.  Tatum showed unbelievable skill and polish for an 18 year old and is a star in the making in Boston/Orlando.  Enes should have the keys to the car in New York while Porzingis is out and should put up big numbers if he is able to stay on the court despite his turnstyle defense.  Fournier has shown he's a starting guard in the league and will look to build off his solid year last year under new coach Steve Clifford.  Jonathon Isaac seems to finally be healthy and if he can untap just a little bit of his unbelievable potential that will be huge for the Magic moving forward. 


The Bad:
The Magic just aren't quite as deep as some other teams in the league and their corner stones don't come without some issues.  Myles Turner has a ton of upside but if he plays the way he did last year that just isn't going to be enough for this Magic team.  He has the tools to be a 20 and 10 guy but he still has to go out there and do it.  Tatum has all the skill in the world, but he's also on a team where he will be maybe the 3rd? option offensively.  There are literally 7-8 different mouths to feed in Boston and so he just isn't going to put up monster numbers as a result.  The Magic will hope he takes strides in his rebounding and passing to help supplement his elite ability to score. Isaac has a ton of potential but right now that's all it is, he needs to be able to stay healthy to reach it.  Outside of the 4 aforementioned players there just is very little depth.  Patty should receive ample minutes especially with Murray going down, but he isn't going to average more than 20 a game.  The rest of the team is really just unproven rookies, and if the stars of this team come out of the gates slow or get injured this team could be sitting on the outside of the playoffs. 


Three Years Out:
This team is set up almost as well as any team in the East for the future.  The Magic will do everything they can to bring back Turner at season's end, Tatum, and Isaac are cheap and locked up.  Enes Kanter is locked up, and while i'm not a huge fan of some of the young players like Patton, Brown, Brides, Thomas, and Jackson you can't deny their talent.  If even 1 or 2 of the five take strides towards being a building block this team is going to be in really good shape.  In three years both Turner and Tatum and maybe even Isaac could be stars, and the rest of the young core will be entering their prime.  If the right moves are made this team is not only a playoff team but a championship contender in three years.

Orlando Magic (Perry)

[The Athletic]

6. Toronto Raptors 



2019 Projected Record: 8-6

Projected Starting Lineup:
PG- Marcus Smart
SG- Avery Bradley 
SF- Gordon Hayward
PF- Danilo Gallinari
C- Al Horford
UTIL- Daniel Theis 
UTIL- Willy Hernangomez

B- Ron Baker
B- Austin Rivers 
B- Jae Crowder
B- Davis Bertrans 
B- Ante Ziziv 

The Good:
Another team that gets away from the traditional multiple superstars but lack of depth that we have in here.  The Raptors are deep and loaded with a lot of depth.  They do have some lower key stars at the top.  Al Horford had a very quiet monster season, and while Hayward may not be up to speed right away we all know what he is capable.  A little birdy told me he could be on his way out though so sushhh we'll see.  On top of that the depth is pretty solid.  Gallinari had another awful injury riddled season but we all know just how talented the 6'10 Italian is.  He should have every opportunity to produce in LA and if he stays healthy could have a sneaky good year.  Another guy who falls into that awful injury riddled year category is Avery Bradley.  Again, we've seen what he can do in both Detroit and Boston.  He should have every chance to play minutes this year and restore his value.  Guys like Smart, Zizic, Rivers, Crowder, and even Theis and Hernangomez will all provide valuable scoring and minutes off the bench.  This team has so many different options it can come at you with and while they may not be considered an elite team out East quite yet, a couple moves here and there and this could be a legitimate force. 

The Bad:
Despite the depth and a lot of potential this team does have its weaknesses.  Gallo hasn't been healthy in years, Hayward just had a terrible injury and as I mentioned earlier with Tatum Boston has a ton of mouths to feed, his game in Utah was mostly predicated off his scoring, so he's going to have to either up the rebounding or assists to remain a star in this league.  Who knows if Bradley ever returns to his former self, and while we all know Smart is a huge part of what Boston does it's going to be hard for him to be fantasy relevant on a team that has about 6-7 players who are better offensively.  (Yes I know his game isn't predicated on offense) There is a lot of depth and a lot of players that play on this team but it's lack of star power could hurt them in the long run.  Horford is as safe as it gets but they could look to move some of their depth for a player they know will provide them with points night in and night out.  

Three Years Out:
Despite not really owning any young studs this team is set up well for the future.  Horford is a free agent next year but every other piece of the core is basically locked up long term.  The Raptors have been looking to make a push for firsts and have quite a nice collection of them over the next 3 years.  This last year was somewhat of a disaster season for the Raptors, but they look back and ready to make a push in the Eastern Conference.  It'll be impossible to predict what this team will look like in three years, but Perk has found his footing in the league and has the requisite pieces to have his team in contention for the coming years. 

[The Athletic]

5. Brooklyn Nets 




2019 Projected Record: 9-5 

Projected Roster:
PG- Wade Baldwin
SG- Luka Doncic
SF- Denzel Valentine
PF- Kevin Durant
C- Zach Collins 
UTIL- Caris Levert 
UTIL- Aaron Gordon


B- Jabari Parker 
B- Cedi Osman 
B- Skal Labissiere
B- Anfernee Simmons 
B-Derrick White


The Good:
The Nets may have just taken the jump! Last year they were a fun team that snuck into the playoffs but this summer they transitioned to a true power house.  5 may even be a little low, but I'd prefer for the Nets to prove it with their place first before we rate them too high.  It all starts with Kevin Durant, there isn't really much to say, he's a stud and as long as he's healthy he'll be a top 5-10 player all year long.  The Nets are counting on big years from some young players most notably Luka Doncic and Aaron Gordon.  The Nets backed up their talk and matched an absolute monster contract offer for Aaron Gordon this summer.  Gordon has gotten better and better every year and looks poised for a monster yer.  I'm not super big on rookies, but Doncic is a little different.  He's been a professional for awhile and while I still have some doubts about his athleticism and body at the NBA level it is very clear he understands and knows how to play basketball something not all rookies come into the league knowing how to do.  Caris and Cedi will look to take big steps this season and will be really instrumental to the success of this team.  Derrick White will also get plenty of run this year, the timing of his injury is unfortunate but he should be back before the season is over and could be key for this team in the playoffs.     

The Bad:
There really isn't a ton to pick out here.  Jabari has looked pretty terrible so far this year, but he is young and in a place that has invested a lot of money into him so I wouldn't worry too much about him. Obviously the Derrick White injury is bad, but he should be back before crunch time.  The Aaron Gordon contract is bad, but if he helps the Nets reach their ultimate goal it will all be worth it.  Something to monitor is how the Warriors use/rest Kevin Durant.  The ultimate goal is to win a title and that is going to mean some scheduled off days for the star, hopefully that doesn't come at a poor time for the Nets and their fans.  Lastly, it looks like Skal might actually be on the outside looking in on the rotation in Sacramento.  There still is plenty of time, but I know the Nets have been happy with what they've seen in him over the past 2 years and him not getting any run this year would be tough.  


3 Years Out:
This team is just about as set as any team moving forward in the future.  Aaron Gordon's contract could provide some issue down the line, but it's better to use that money on someone young entering his prime than somebody on the second half of their career.  The roster is loaded with young talented players and if I had to pick a team to win the East in three years it probably is this team.  It'll be interesting to watch Doncic, Caris, Collins, White, and the others develop.  This Nets team will be a really fun team to monitor over the coming years.   

[The Athletic]

4.  New York Knicks 




2019 Projected Record: 10-4


Projected Starting Lineup:
PG- Jrue Holiday
SG- Klay Thompson
SF- Khris Middleton
PF- Derrick Favors
C- Pau Gasol
UTIL- Marcus Morris
UTIL- Frank Ntilikina 


B- Glenn Robinson III
B- Stanley Johnson
B- TJ Warren
B- Ian Mahinmi
B- Derrick Rose


The Good:
This was supposed to be a self-proclaimed rebuil year for the Knicks.  The Knicks sent star point guard John Wall to New Orleans early on in the off-season and focused on getting younger and cheaper.  And then an opportunity to get better arose itself and the Knicks did what any good management does and jumped on the opportunity.  Klay Thompson was the big get this off-season and puts this team right back into contention.  The team is led by Jrue Holiday and Kris Middleton.  Jrue had an unbelievable year last year and kinda took a jump from above average player to border line star. New Orleans is going to be playing at one of the fastest if not the fastest tempo in the whole league this year and should be in for another monster year.  Middleton has solidified himself as one of the best wings in the game and should only continue to grow in coach Bud's offense.  The Knicks were looking a little thin coming into the start of the season but just recently were able to sign Ian Mahinmi and Derrick Rose to cheap deals and as a result the depth is looking a little bit better.  Frankie is another guy I really like and while i'm not sure the breakout is coming this year, he is definitely a guy to monitor long term.  


The Bad:
Despite being a good team, this Knicks team is probably the worst it's been in awhile.  It's third best player is Klay Thompson, and while Derrick Favors and Pau are solid there definitely is some room for improvement down low.  Marcus Morris had a decent year, but there are just a ridiculous amount of mouths to feed in Boston and i'm really interested to see how to rotation and usage between all 30 of them shakes out.  TJ Warren is another guy that is solid but could be slightly lost in the fray in Phoenix.  Phoenix has so many different wings and 4 they can use so his usage is bound to go down.  Again the depth just isn't quite what is used to be.  This team is still very solid and very much a playoff team but i'm just not sure this team is a title contender at this point in time.  It's up to Ty to get his squad back to where it can be, but this is a rebuilding year, don't be surprised to see the Knicks just play this one out.   


Three Years Out:
The Knicks really positioned themselves this summer to be in a better position long term.  The cornerstones are all young, they now have some assets in the form of picks, and Frank has all the potential in the world.  When it comes down to it you know that Tyler knows what he is doing.  He has a title under his belt and a young team that is only going to get better.  Expect the Knicks to be right at the top of the East in three years, no matter who is on the roster.

[The Athletic]

3. Philadelphia 76ers 


2019 Projected Record: 11-3


Projected Starting Lineup:
PG- D'Angelo Russell 
SG- Rodney Hood
SF- Demar Derozan
PF- Carmelo Anthony
C- Karl Anthony Towns 
UTIL- Shabazz Napier
UTIL- Rajon Rondo


B- Jevon Carter
B- Gorgui Dieng
B- Tyreke Evans
B- Tony Snell
B- Brook Lopez


The Good:
A lot of good going on in Philly.  The team is led by one of the most talked about players in the league right now Karl Anthony Towns.  He may be getting a lot of shit from Jimmy Butler, but Towns is locked in a top 5 guy barring any injury issues.  It really is anybody's guess as to where Jimmy ends up playing but it seems as if there is a decent chance he is gone.  If he were to leave the offense would fully be KAT's leading to a monster year.  He should have a monster year regardless but the departure of Jimmy would give it an even higher ceiling. Derozan is second in command and it'll be interesting to see his game in San Antonio.  The Spurs are one of the slower paced teams in the league, but Derozan should still have a ton of usage and will be asked to do a lot more play making with the absence of Murray and White.  DLO should take another step forward this year, and in an uptempo offense could have a big year.  Rodney Hood is maybe not super good, but he should also have a lot of opportunity on a young Cavs team that is going to want to play and develop their young players.  Brook and Melo are another two guys to monitor as they are both in different situations and could find an uptick in usage and/or efficiency with their new squads.  Tyreke is also back to hooping and while it seems like he'll come off the bench in Indiana he is going to get his shots and minutes, he's another really important piece for the 6ers. 


The Bad:
There is not much to complain about in Philly.  There are stars at the top and really depth all the way down the line to support the stars.  One thing I am somewhat weary of was the 11+ million dollar deal the 6ers shelled out to get Rondo in the off season.  Rondo had a really nice year in Nola and could have some big games this year but his path to minutes are not as clear as Lonzo is obviously the long term guy and Rondo is getting older.  The 3 year deal could come back to bite Philly in the butt.  Other than that there really isn't much to harp on this team is going to be a contender for a title barring any serious injuries to the studs. 



Three Years Out:
Another team that has done a really good job of setting itself up well for the future despite being good now.  The big three players on this team are all under 20 and the best of them isn't even 25 yet.  Yes, Melo, Brook, and Rondo are older but those guys are all replaceable.  It's impossible to really call anything outside of three years, but KAT should be in consideration for being a top 5 player by then and Derozan will still be in his prime.  I fully expect the 76ers to be a power house in the East and contend with the Knicks year in and year out for the Atlantic division title.  Look for this team to challenge the Bulls at the top for the Eastern conference crown this year. 

[Golden State Warriors (Caleb)]

2. Indiana Pacers 

2019 Projected Record: 12-2

Projected Starting Lineup:
PG- Dennis Smith Jr.
SG- Donovan Mitchell
SF- Mario Hezonja
PF- Julius Randle
C- Andre Drummond
UTIL- Steven Adams
UTIL- E'Twaun Moore

B- Robert Williams
B- Kevin Huerter
B- Bismack Biyombo
B- David Nwaba 
B- Juancho Hernangomez 

The Good:
Wow I love to see a Jon led team this high.  The Pacers took a leap this off-season and should be in contention in the East this year.  This team is abslutely loaded at the top and it starts with center Andre Drummond.  People were a little down on Drummond going into last year, but Andre responded with a monster year.  He should in theory only get better, and in a league that continues to focus on spacing and spreading the floor, he is just so dominant that it doesn't even matter.  Dwayne Casey may bring in a new system but that shouldn't really effect Drummond.  The Pacers also went and picked up one of the best young studs in the game in Donovan Mitchell.  Another year for Mitchell should only make more efficient and a better overall player.  I'm still not convinced his game will translate into a 35+ FP producer in this league, but the kid sure is talented.  Another guy in a similar boat, with tons of talent but a game that isn't necessarily rewarded in this league in Dennis Smith.  Smith is so talented, but can be inefficient at times.  It'll be interesting to see how he plays with Doncic and the strides he's taken this summer.  Adams has been quiet over the past couple seasons but remains one of the best rebounding bigs in the league and should be solid all year.  With Melo gone he may even see a small in crease in usage.  Randle joined a Pelicans team that should use him more consistently than the Lakers did and being on a team with a pace as fast as New Orleans should only help his fantasy value.  

The Bad:
Like a lot of good teams, this team still struggles with depth off the bench and is a bit top heavy.  The team is loaded, don't get me wrong.  All the starters are in a great spots, and this team is in a really good position, but if they could find a way to grab some depth, it'll be a big boost moving forward. Robert Williams probably isn't going to do much early on, I like Huerter but same with him.  Bismack is a longshot to produce and Juancho has talent but again there are just too many bodies in Denver for him to really get a steady look at playing time.  Expect this team to be really good this year, but it could have some bumps because of its lack of depth outside of the starters.  


Three Years Out:
The Pacers are up there with the Nets for my favorites out East in the coming years.  The Pacers are a very young team, but a very talented team and that talent should only be further along in 3 years.   The only worry I would have is keeping everyone together as money will eventually get tight, but Adams, Drummond, Randle, Mitchell, and Smith is a very very fun core.  Robert Williams and Huerter also have a lot of potential.  If I had to pick this is probably my favorite in 3 years and they have a good shot this year as well.  Seeing the Pacers win a couple conference titles over the next 3-4 years would not surprise me at all.  Props to Jon for making moves. 

[The Athletic]

1.  Chicago Bulls

2019 Projected Record: 13-1

Projected Starting Lineup:
PG- Brandon Knight
SG- Lou Williams 
SF- Robert Covington
PF- Tobias Harris
C- LaMarcus Aldridge 
UTIL- Justin Holiday 
UTIL- Mike Muscala 

B- Tony Parker
B- Ian Clark
B- Luc Richard Mbah Moute 
B- Nemanja Bjelica
B- JaVale McGee 

IR- Demarcus Cousins 

The Good:
Chuck's squad has a very good chance of defending it's Eastern Conference title and there is very little to dislike with this team.  It starts with the studs at the top.  I was down on LMA heading into lasty ear but boy did he prove me wrong.  Without Kawhi he led the Spurs and while his usage may take a slight hit with mid range machine Derozan in town he's still locked in for a pretty nice year.  The guy I really like to lead this team to a big year is Tobias.  Tobias is locked in with a big time role and has really developed well over the years.  He should be the highest usage guy in LA and will be up there with LMA at the top.  Lou Williams will be another solid option.  I really liked the pick up of JaVale who should have some sneaky big games this year as well.  Overall this team just has so much depth, Covington should be solid and someone who I don't think is getting any buzz who could be sneaky productive is Nemanja.  He should start in Sacramento and while he won't be a huge producer he should be another solid piece off the bench for the Bulls.  Cousins doesn't need to rush back and as long as he is there for the back half of the schedule, the Bulls should roll into the playoffs.  


The Bad:
The Cousins injury is tough, and it means that if some of the front end guys get hurt early on this team will struggle.  Some of the top guys on this team are also pretty inconsistent.  Lou may go off some games, but he also is going to have some clunker games as well,Tobias has been better at having peripheral stats but he may struggle with consistency at times as well.  Knight is still injured, Paker will not be getting the same run he's used to in the past, and Covington has shown a tendency to fade at times as well.  Overall there aren't any huge issues, but there are some small things to be concerned about moving forward. 


Three Years Out: 
Chuck is always about the here and now so it is impossible to know what roster will look like in 3 years.  One thing that is for sure is the Chuck will always put his best foot forward and try to win even if it comes at the expense of the future.  Chuck's been good at winning in the moment no matter what and I expect the same.  If he catches some bad luck here and there he may have a down season in the future, but it will only be a matter of time before he turns it around.  Nobody really outside of Tobias will be a major factor in 3 years, but again that doesn't matter much with Chuck's GM style.   Who knows what this team looks like in three years, but it doesn't really matter because we know all Chuck does is win games.