Share your thoughts on how the Eastern Conference rankings might change in the 2024–25 campaign.

Keep an eye on NY Knicks: In 2024–25, the redesigned New York Knicks are expected to be one of the best in the East.

Here are 4 scenarios for the 2024-2025 season.

Scenario 1

It’s difficult to imagine coach Joe Mazzulla ever letting his foot off the throttle, even though the Celtics might dominate the majority of the season if they so desired. In New York, the same is true of Tom Thibodeau. The Cavaliers and Pacers are the best chances to secure the other two top-four seeds, but you could arrange the next five teams in any order. Indiana will be extremely difficult to defend every night, while Cleveland has amazing talent that is still getting better.

The Sixers might be on par with the Knicks at full strength, but regular season victories will have to be sacrificed in order to keep Joel Embiid healthy. The retooled Pistons should be more competitive than clubs like Chicago and Toronto for a position in the SoFi Play-In Tournament at the bottom.

1.  Boston Celtics
2. New York Knicks
3. Cleveland Cavaliers
4. Indiana Pacers
5. Milwaukee Bucks
6. Philadelphia 76ers
7. Orlando Magic
8. Miami Heat
9. Atlanta Hawks
10. Detroit Pistons

Scenario 2

Although it won’t be easy because the Knicks are designed to intimidate the Celtics, Boston should take the top seed. The Sixers need to be ranked higher, but Philly will lose some seeding if Joel Embiid and Paul George are kept for the postseason.

If the Sixers aren’t careful, the young Magic might have home-court advantage in the first round. Finally, Milwaukee is the wild card, and it remains to be seen if the Bucks recognize that this is their final chance.

1. Boston Celtics
2. New York Knicks
3. Cleveland Cavaliers
4. Philadelphia 76ers
5. Orlando Magic
6. Milwaukee Bucks
7. Indiana Pacers
8. Miami Heat
9. Toronto Raptors
10. Atlanta Hawks

Scenario 3

Despite starting the season without Kristaps Porzingis, Boston is still in a class of its own.

While clubs like Milwaukee, Cleveland, and Philadelphia must prevent injuries to its important players (see Philly’s loss without Joel Embiid last season), New York (Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges) and Philadelphia (Paul George, new supporting cast) must swiftly add fresh stars to the mix.

Orlando, Indiana, and Miami will be prepared to jump in and escape the dreaded playoffs-or-SoFi Play-In Tournament bubble like last season if any of the aforementioned teams stumble.

Toronto and Atlanta complete the Play-In field. After losing Dejounte Murray, the Hawks selected Zaccharie Risacher with the first overall choice, and the Raptors are prepared for a full season with their new young core, which is led by All-Star swingman Scottie Barnes.

1. Boston Celtics
2. New York Knicks
3. Cleveland Cavaliers
4. Philadelphia 76ers
5. Milwaukee Bucks
6. Orlando Magic
7. Indiana Pacers
8. Miami Heat
9. Atlanta Hawks
10. Toronto Raptors

Scenario 4

Standing pat periodically can be a very cool hand in a society that seems to be preoccupied with “change.” There was no need to fix anything in Boston because nothing was broken. It’s a fantastic, two-way roster with stars who are becoming prime-ier and lots of depth and adaptability.

With a main actor, supporting cast, and tenacity that none of its competitors can match, New York appears resourceful enough to overtake the East’s “others.” The Pacers are more than the sum of their individual parts. The Sixers really can’t count on Joel Embiid, can they? The little brothers who are desperate for attention are Cleveland and Orlando. There are no regular seasons in Miami.

Since the bench is poor, Lillard is on the decline, and the window has closed, I predict that Milwaukee will fall.

1. Boston Celtics
2. New York Knicks
3. Indiana Pacers
4. Philadelphia 76ers
5. Cleveland Cavaliers
6. Orlando Magic
7. Miami Heat
8. Milwaukee Bucks
9. Atlanta Hawks
10. Chicago Bulls

Conclusion

The NBA might be up to a Celtics v Thunders in the Eastern and Western Conference finals. It will be a steaming 2024-2025 season. Read the Western Conference Standings Forecast to get a better view.