The Eastern Conference has historically been the conference with the least amount of talent and good teams. This year will likely be no exception.
However, it’s still interesting to debate who will finish where in the 2024-2025 Eastern Conference. Will the Celtics be back in the finals or is another Eastern Conference team, ready to dethrone them?
First seed in the Eastern Conference- Boston Celtics
The defending champions are effective locks to make the playoffs in the 2024-2025 NBA season. They have maintained their entire championship core. One interesting thing to note is with Al Horford aging and Kristaps Porzingis being injury prone, the Celtics might get beat up down low. Will Luke Kornet step up and become a reliable rotation guy? Regardless of these questions the Celtics have little to worry about.
Second seed in the Eastern Conference- Philadelphia Sixers
The Sixers had a disappointing season in 2024 which saw them only finish with the seventh seed, after reigning NBA MVP center Joel Embiid missed two months with a meniscus injury.
In hopes of bouncing back, the Sixers extended their young star Tyrese Maxey and signed Paul George. Despite having three star level players, the Sixers success depends on Embiid staying healthy. The Sixers have been consistent contenders but haven’t won more than one playoff series in a single postseason since their 2001 finals run.
Third seed in eastern conference- New York Knicks
The Knicks surprised everyone by getting the second seed during the 2023-2024 season. They could’ve stood pat, but instead they made a trade to get two-way player Mikal Bridges from the Nets., to join his college teammates point guard Jalen Brunson, shooting guard Donte DiVincenzo, and swingman Josh Hart. The quartet won two NCAA championships for Villanova College in 2016 and 2018, now looking to do the same for New York .
Brunson had a break out 2023-2024 NBA campaign, in which he averaged career highs in points and assists per game with, 28.7 and 6.7 respectively, enroute to his first NBA All Star Game appearance, and finishing fifth in NBA MVP voting.
They did face some questions on how they would be able to score down low with 26 year old backup center Isaiah Hartenstein, leaving in free agency for the Oaklahoma City Thunder, and 26 year old starting center Mitchell Robinson starting the season injured.
They decided to answer those questions on September 27 when they traded for veteran big man Karl- Anthony Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves, in exchange for fan favorite shooting guard and crucial part of the “Nova Knicks”, Donte DiVincenzo. No team has changed the identity of their roster the way the Knicks have. This could either lead to a team that’s more hungry than ever, or could be a chemistry nightmare.
Photo via X, formerly known as twitter account of Jalen Brunson
Fourth seed in eastern conference- Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks entered the 2023-2024 season as the favorites to win the east, if not the entire league. However, after the decline of point guard Damian Lillard, who they had made a trade for the previous offseason, and forward Giannis Antetokoumnpo getting injured right before the playoffs, the Bucks lost in the first round.
They hope that second year head coach Doc Rivers can create stability in his first full season, and that Antetokounmpo won’t miss any more significant games. Antetokounmpo has just two full seasons remaining on his contract including this season, if the Bucks don’t live up to expectations once again, we could see Antetokounmpo request a trade.
Fifth seed in eastern conference- Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers are in a bit of a weird spot, which I highlighted after their second round playoff exit. Despite this, they are pretty clearly a playoff team. They have one of the best scorers in the game in veteran shooting guard Donovan Mitchell, along with a couple big defensive assets in power forward Evan Mobley, and center Jarrett Allen.
Ultimately unless point guard Darius Garland can find a way to work with Mitchell, the Cavaliers will likely be sent home in the first or second round. Mitchell recently agreed to a contract extension with the Cavaliers. This ends any short term worries about him leaving, meaning the Cavs have the freedom to make the moves they believe they need to win.
Sixth seed in eastern conference- Indiana Pacers
The Pacers were able to make the eastern conference finals on a mix of great team offense and injuries that their opponents had. Despite their playoff success they were a sixth seed last season and did not make any significant changes that would make me believe they’d finish anywhere else. Despite a solid all around roster the Pacers won’t be serious contenders until they get Tyrese Haliburton another star.
Seventh seed in eastern conference- Miami Heat
In the 2023 playoffs, the Miami Heat made a miracle run to the finals as an eighth seed. However, last season they could not recreate the magic as small forward Jimmy Butler was injured for the playoffs. The Heat are not a team built for regular season success. However, they’re still not a team that any contender wants to play in the playoffs. Butler’s future with the Heat likely relies on playoff success this season. After this season he holds a player option.
Eight seed in eastern conference- Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks had made the playoffs for three straight seasons from 2021 to 2023. However, 2024 ended this streak as they lost to the Bulls in the play-in tournament. The duo of Trae Young and Dejounte Murray clearly wasn’t working. Murray was traded to the Pelicans. The Hawks were given the miracle of a first overall pick. With this pick they took Zacharrie Riscaher. I believe this retooled Hawks roster will be enough to win a game in the play-in tournament.
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