NBA Eastern Conference preview capsules
Here's a glance at the competitors in the Eastern Conference, along with their predicted order of finish for the 2017-18 NBA season.
1. Boston Celtics
Coach: Brad Stevens (5th season)
Last year: 53-29
Key additions: PG Kyrie Irving, SF Gordon Hayward, rookie PF Jayson Tatum
Outlook: Has any team finished with the No. 1 seed, then made such drastic changes? The Celtics seem impressive on paper, but depth, chemistry and youth in key spots might delay their championship quest.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
Coach: Tyronn Lue (3rd season)
Last year: 51-31 (lost NBA Finals)
Key additions: SG Dwyane Wade, PG Derrick Rose, PG Isaiah Thomas, SF Jae Crowder
Outlook: With plenty of depth, the Cavaliers may not need to coast through the regular season this time. It might help their cause if Boston or Toronto or another East team creates some serious competition.
3. Toronto Raptors
Coach: Dwane Casey (7th season)
Last year: 51-31
Key additions: SF Alfonzo McKinnie
Outlook: The Raptors may have peaked two years ago, but the team is hoping last season's late addition Serge Ibaka can become a legitimate third star to complement DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry.
4. Miami Heat
Coach: Erik Spoelstra (10th season)
Last year: 41-41
Key additions: C Kelly Olynyk
Outlook: The Heat turned in one of the strangest performances ever last season, going 10-31 in the first half, then 31-10 in the second half. The cast is essentially the same with SF Justise Winslow returning from injury.
5. Milwaukee Bucks
Coach: Jason Kidd (4th season)
Last year: 42-40
Key additions: Rookie PF D.J. Wilson
Outlook: The Bucks played most of last season without injured SG Khris Middleton and PF Jabari Parker. If Giannis Antetokounmpo keeps improving, Milwaukee could take a giant step.
6. Washington Wizards
Coach: Scott Brooks (2nd season)
Last year: 49-33
Key additions: PF Mike Scott
Outlook: PG John Wall appears good enough to lift the Wizards into the East elite, but something always seems to go wrong for this franchise, especially after a season that went surprisingly well.
7. Detroit Pistons
Coach: Stan Van Gundy (4th season)
Last year: 41-41
Key additions: SG Avery Bradley, rookie SG Luke Kennard
Outlook: The Pistons lucked into Bradley when Boston needed to clear cap space this summer. What the Pistons need most, though, is PG Reggie Jackson and C Andre Drummond to live up to their massive contracts.
8. Charlotte Hornets
Coach: Steve Clifford (5th season)
Last year: 36-46
Key additions: C Dwight Howard, rookie SG Malik Monk
Outlook: The Hornets needed some sort of spark after plummeting from 48 to 36 wins. Howard probably isn't it, but the weak East might push Charlotte back into the playoffs.
9. Indiana Pacers
Coach: Nate McMillan (2nd season)
Last year: 42-40
Key additions: SG Victor Oladipo, PG Domantas Sabonis
Outlook: The Pacers say they plan to keep winning even after Paul George forced their hand on a trade, but the current roster won't get very far.
10. Atlanta Hawks
Coach: Mike Budenholzer (5th season)
Last year: 43-39
Key additions: Rookie PF John Collins
Outlook: After watching Paul Millsap and Al Horford walk away in consecutive summers, the Hawks are in rebuild mode, though they hung onto PG Dennis Schroder as a cornerstone.
11. Philadelphia 76ers
Coach: Brett Brown (5th season)
Last year: 28-54
Key additions: Rookie PG Markelle Fultz, SG J.J. Redick
Outlook: After trusting the process for five years, everyone loves the Sixers' potential. But how big a jump can they make with Fultz and Ben Simmons making their pro debuts, along with C Joel Embiid's unsteady injury history?
12. Bulls
Coach: Fred Hoiberg (3rd season)
Last year: 41-41
Key additions: SG Zach LaVine; rookie PF Lauri Markkanen
Outlook: Once LaVine returns from a torn ACL, probably in December, the Bulls may not be terrible. But landing a high draft pick is an important part of the rebuilding plan.
13. New York Knicks
Coach: Jeff Hornacek (2nd season)
Last year: 31-51
Key additions: C Enes Kanter, SF Tim Hardaway Jr.
Outlook: This is officially Kristaps Porzingis' team now that Carmelo Anthony was sent to OKC, which signals a clear need for more help in the draft.
14. Orlando Magic
Coach: Frank Vogel (2nd season)
Last year: 29-53
Key additions: Rookie PF Jonathan Isaac
Outlook: PG Elfrid Payton showed some signs of developing into a decent player last season, but the Magic sorely needs another trip to the lottery.
15. Brooklyn Nets
Coach: Kenny Atkinson (2nd season)
Last year: 20-62
Key additions: PG DeAngelo Russell, SF DeMarre Carroll
Outlook: Another year without a first-round draft pick (the next one goes to Cleveland). At least the Nets have no reason to tank.