1. Cleveland Cavaliers
With just a few tweaks, they’re poised to make another title run.
2. Milwaukee Bucks
Time for them to make their move in the wide open Eastern Conference.
3. Detroit Pistons
At best they’ll clinch a low seed in the playoffs.
4. Indiana Pacers
They’re starting over with Paul George gone, but they are in better shape than most thought they would be.
5. Chicago Bulls
It’s been a while since the Bulls were in a rebuilding mode.
Head Coach: Tyronn Lue
Key Position: Guard
Key Rookies: None
Key Acquisitions: F Jae Crowder (Boston), F Jeff Green (Orlando), G Derrick Rose (New York), G Isaiah Thomas (Boston), G Dwyane Wade (Chicago)
Starting Lineup: G Isaiah Thomas, G Dwyane Wade, F LeBron James, F Jae Crowder, C Kevin Love
Head Coach: Jason Kidd
Key Position: Forward
Key Rookies: F D.J. Wilson
Key Acquisitions: G Tony Snell (re-signed)
Starting Lineup: G Malcolm Brogdon, G Tony Snell, F Khris Middleton, F Giannis Antetokounmpo, C Thon Maker
Head Coach: Stan Van Gundy
Key Position: Guard
Key Rookies: G Luke Kennard
Key Acquisitions: G Langston Galloway (Sacramento), G Avery Bradley (Boston)
Starting Lineup: G Reggie Jackson, G Avery Bradley, F Stanley Johnson, F Tobias Harris, C Andre Drummond
Head Coach: Nate McMillan
Key Position: Forward
Key Rookies: F T.J. Leaf
Key Acquisitions: F Bojan Bogdanovic (Washington), G Darren Collison (Sacramento), G Victor Oladipo (Oklahoma City), F Domantas Sabonis (Oklahoma City)
Starting Lineup: G Darren Collison, G Victor Oladipo, F Bojan Bogdanovic, F Thad Young, C Myles Turner
Head Coach: Fred Hoiberg
Key Position: Everything
Key Rookies: F Lauri Markkanen
Key Acquisitions: G Kris Dunn (Minnesota), G Zach LaVine (Minnesota), G Justin Holiday (New York)
Starting Lineup: G Kris Dunn, G Justin Holiday, F Paul Zipser, F Nikola Mirotic, C Robin Lopez