1. Cleveland Cavaliers
2024-25 record: 64-18, first in the Central
Head coach: Kenny Atkinson, second season with the Cavaliers (64-18 record)
Coming and going: Lonzo Ball jumped from the division cellar to the penthouse, arriving in a trade from Chicago, but won’t suit up for back-to-backs amid a recent blitz of injuries. The Cavs signed Thomas Bryant but lost energy and depth as Javonte Green left in free agency and part-time starter Isaac Okoro was shipped to the Bulls.
Numbers to crunch: The Cavaliers led the Eastern Conference for 165 consecutive days last season while falling one point shy of 10,000.
Season snapshot: Cleveland saw the popular “Big Three” concept last season and raised it by one, with Jarrett Allen, Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley each averaging at least 28 minutes while making no fewer than 71 starts. That core has proved capable to stop and score, but whether the Cavs make a playoff breakthrough hinges on their health.
Mobley, Garland and De’Andre Hunter each were sidelined for parts of last season’s five-game conference semifinal loss to Indiana. Garland (toe) is out for the first few weeks of 2025-26 and guard Max Strus (left foot) could be out for multiple months, coaxing Cleveland’s depth early.
2. Detroit Pistons
2024-25 record: 44-38, fourth in the Central
Head coach: J.B. Bickerstaff, second season with the Pistons (44-38 record)
Coming and going: Veteran guards Tim Hardaway Jr. and Dennis Schroder left in free agency and a sign-and-trade, respectively, while the status of sharpshooter Malik Beasley remains in limbo amid a probe into reported gambling-related activity. Addition Duncan Robinson is a proven shooter, and signees Javonte Green and Caris LeVert boost the bench.
Numbers to crunch: Detroit improved its season win total by 30 in 2024-25 after managing just 14 victories during the previous campaign.
Season snapshot: Can the Pistons keep climbing the Eastern Conference standings? They certainly boast a young core that’s eager to keep the franchise turnaround afloat.
Star guard Cade Cunningham, a third-team all-NBA selection last season, sparks the unit and will aim to build upon last season’s team-best 26.1 points a game. Running mate Jaden Ivey, just nine-plus months removed from suffering a broken left fibula that ended his season, could need time to work back to speed. He’ll start the season on the shelf with a knee injury, but the Pistons have the talent and leadership to ease his transition back into the lineup.
3. Milwaukee Bucks
2024-25 record: 48-34, third in the Central
Head coach: Doc Rivers, third season with the Bucks (65-53 record)
Coming and going: Milwaukee parted ways with Pat Connaughton (trade) and Damian Lillard (waived) and saw sharpshooting big man Brook Lopez leave for the Los Angeles Clippers in free agency. The Bucks added center Myles Turner, who fled rival Indiana to sign a four-year, $108.9 million contract, and also signed Cole Anthony and Gary Harris.
Numbers to crunch: While the NBA values the 3-pointer more than ever, one particular trey should make Milwaukee cringe. The Bucks have bowed out in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs in three consecutive seasons.
Season snapshot: Bucks stalwart Giannis Antetokounmpo returns for season No. 13 alongside a largely revamped roster highlighted by foe-turned-friend Turner. If Turner can hover around last season’s career-best 39.6% accuracy from long range, the team’s style of play might look familiar.
But gone is Lillard, an aggressive addition following another recent early playoff exit. Sixth man Bobby Portis helps stabilize the group, which will have time to jell as the rest of a wide-open Eastern Conference aims to pounce.
4. Indiana Pacers
2024-25 record: 50-32, second in the Central
Head coach: Rick Carlisle, ninth season with the Pacers (338-318 record)
Coming and going: Versatile center Myles Turner left for Milwaukee in free agency and Thomas Bryant also bolted for a division foe in Cleveland. Center Jay Huff joins the team – and his fifth organization in as many seasons.
Numbers to crunch: Turner blocked 1,412 shots during his 10 seasons with the Pacers, tops in franchise history. Helping to fill the void he leaves in the middle presents a sizable challenge.
Season snapshot: Another gaping hole, of course, is the one left by Tyrese Haliburton, who elevated his game and flexed his clutch shot-making during the playoffs as Indiana ascended to Game 7 of the NBA Finals in Oklahoma City. The Achilles injury Haliburton sustained then immediately cast a shadow on the following season, but the Pacers still bring a nucleus that can contend for a playoff spot.
Returners include T.J. McConnell, Bennedict Mathurin, Andrew Nembhard, Pascal Siakam and Obi Toppin. Nembhard had career-best averages in points, rebounds and assists last season while Siakam, the team’s lone All-Star last season, has room to rise as he boosts his perimeter game.
5. Chicago Bulls
2024-25 record: 39-43, fifth in the Central
Head coach: Billy Donovan, sixth season with the Bulls (195-205 record)
Coming and going: A commitment to Josh Giddey, signed to a four-year contract extension, began with the Bulls trading Lonzo Ball for Isaac Okoro. Chicago’s guard depth includes Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu, and the Bulls brought back Jevon Carter (player option) and Tre Jones.
Numbers to crunch: The Bulls won 15 of their final 20 games last season to qualify for the play-in round of the playoffs. They lost to Miami 109-90.
Season snapshot: Cleveland, Milwaukee and Eastern Conference champion Indiana are heavyweights with proven talent at the center of the roster, and the Detroit Pistons were a major surprise in 2024-25.
The Bulls are building around the 25-and-under core of Giddey, White and their past two first-round picks: Matas Buzelis and rookie Noa Essengue, the No. 12 selection in the 2025 draft. White emerged as a capable top scorer and Chicago was 9-0 last season when he scored over 30 points. How quickly a supporting cast develops could determine what’s next for the Bulls.
–Field Level Media
