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The 2025 – 26 NBA season has just started, so it’s time to make my predictions for the standings of both conferences. That way, you can see how horrible my predictions were at the end of the season. In this blog, we will be predicting our standings for the East.

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     1.  New York Knicks

If you read my other blog on the New York Knicks, you’ll know I have high hopes for them this season. The only speed bump, though, is that they’ll have to adjust to Mike Brown’s system. However, with the core of this team having spent the last year learning how to play together, expect them to get hot after a month or so.

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     2.  Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers just finished a remarkable regular season that ended with disaster in the playoffs. They are bringing back almost their whole team outside of Ty Jerome and Issac Okoro. The real question surrounding this team is injuries. We have never seen Lonzo Ball play 65 or more games in a season, and if he’s out, who’s their backup point guard? They’ll also have to make up for their star point guard, Darius Garland, being out for the first month of the season.

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     3.  Orlando Magic

This team is young and hungry after making the top six last year, but then losing in the first round last year. Their defense was stellar last year, posting a defensive rating of 109.54, which was second in the NBA only behind the reigning champs Oklahoma City Thunder. Their problem was their offense; they had the fourth worst offensive rating last year at 109.46, just ahead of the horrible Nets, Hornets, and Wizards and right behind the 14th seed Pelicans. But they addressed this issue in the offseason by trading for borderline all-star Desmond Bane. Bane’s always in and around a 40% three-point shooter, which will help their last-place three-point efficiency from last year. He also contributes roughly 20 points per game, which will take some of the burden off of Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.

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     4.  Atlanta Hawks

I predict them to have a huge leap in the East standings for two reasons. The first is how ridiculously weak the East is this year. Everybody thought it was weak last year, then Tatum, Haliburton, and Lillard ruptured their achilles, destroying the chances of the Celtics, Pacers, and Bucks (Bucks do have a better chance then the Celtics and Pacers though) of competing at the top of the East this year. The second reason is the Porzingis trade. Porzingis will be a huge contributor on both sides of the floor, hitting 3s and spacing the floor on one end and blocking shots and protecting the rim on the other . . . if he stays healthy. Porzingis has only played 65 or more games in one season since 2018, which should scare all Hawks fans. Another huge question surrounding this team is how healthy Jalen Johnson will be this year, as he has also dealt with injury issues. However if these two stay healthy, I see them soaring to the Hawks soaring to the top 5 of the Eastern Conference.

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     5.  Pistons

The Pistons had a breakout year in 2024, and they’ll be looking to bring that success and more in the 2025 – 26 season. Continuity will be this team’s best friend, with the majority of this team coming back from last season. They also have Jaden Ivey returning this year, which will take some of the offensive pressure off Cade Cunningham.

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     6.  Bucks

Obviously, with Dame gone, this team is going to regress. But the addition of Myles Turner is the perfect replacement for Brook Lopez, who will stretch the floor with Giannis. And of course, if you have a 2x MVP on your team in the middle of his prime, you can’t count them out of at least being a decent team this year.

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     7.  Raptors

The Raptors have a very decent starting 5 with Quickley, Barrett, Ingram, Barnes and Poeltl. Brandon Ingram’s return from injury will definitely boost the lackluster offense from last year.

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     8.  Heat

Norman Powell was a nice acquisition by Miami in the offseason to help their offense. It’ll be interesting to see how far the duo of Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro can take Miami in the East.

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     9.  Sixers

Do I believe in Joel Embiid staying healthy? No. Do I believe in Paul George staying healthy? No. Even if they’re able to stay on the court, how good will this duo actually be? Both of them had some of the worst years of their career last year. This team is all about the young guys: all-star Tyrese Maxey, a talented sophomore Jarred McCain, rookie V. J. Edgecombe, and Quentin Grimes, who had a late-season breakout last year.

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     10.  Celtics

The Celtics have Jayson Tatum out for most, if not the whole season, which is the main reason why they will fall off this year, but also because they shed salary by trading away Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday. But this will allow Jaylen Brown to be the number one option, which is something he’s always wanted. Let’s see if he can rise to the spotlight and fill the massive void on this team.

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11. Bulls

12. Pacers

13. Nets

14. Hornets

15. Wizards