2019-20 NBA Season: Predicting the Eastern Conference standings

With reigning NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard deciding to depart the Toronto Raptors for his hometown team LA Clippers, the difference between the best teams in the West compared to the best teams in the East has only increased.

One may argue that with Kevin Durant deciding to take his talents to the Brooklyn Nets that the East can still compete with the West, but at least not next season as we won't see him in action due to an Achilles injury.

Therefore, the East may be more open due to the uncertainty around teams who have lost major players, but have also gained players. Let's have a go at predicting how the Eastern Conference standings will look like after the 2019-20 NBA Regular Season.

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#15 Charlotte Hornets

By losing Kemba Walker to the Boston Celtics, Jeremy Lamb to the Indiana Pacers and Frank Kaminsky to the Phoenix Suns, the Charlotte Hornets are officially the worst team in the league and will undergo a full rebuild with Terry Rozier III, Miles Bridges, Malik Monk and PJ Washington Jr. forming a young core.

With the players listed above as their best, it's very hard to imagine the team finishing above last next season. Their main focus will be the development of their young players and ensuring the 2020 NBA Draft No 1 pick.

#14 Cleveland Cavaliers

While Collin Sexton and Darius Garland have potential to be a fantastic young backcourt, the Cavs don't have enough pieces to build around them, which is why their priority should be trading Kevin Love for more talent -- be it rookies, sophomores or future picks.

Only after they complete that deal can the team begin to build with a young core. Cedi Osman, Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. are good players, but none of them have star potential.

#13 Washington Wizards

The Wizards are stuck in a dilemma as they would like to rebuild a team around All-Star shooting guard Bradley Beal. However they can't acquire the pieces to rebuild due to John Wall's injury and the massive contract obligation that comes with it. Therefore, the only option seems to be to trade Beal away as he's the only player who holds significant value on the team right now.

Then, when John Wall returns and proves that he is still an All-Star caliber player, Washington can trade him too for more assets. But, as simple as it sounds, it's hard to execute because there are too many things that can go wrong, including Wall returning as a player in which teams are no longer interested.

#12 New York Knicks

While the Knicks may have missed out on superstar free agents, they still managed to have a decent summer considering the potential of draft pick RJ Barrett, Mitchell Robinson and Kevin Knox being combined with the signings of Julius Randle, Marcus Morris, Bobby Portis, Taj Gibson and Reggie Bullock.

Furthermore, guards Dennis Smith Jr. and Frank Ntilikina are expected to make significant strides in their all-around game. Thus, overall, the Knicks actually have a very talented playoff-potential team moving forward.

#11 Chicago Bulls

Chicago are another team that has a solid young core with Zach LaVine, Lauri Markkanen, Wendell Carter Jr., Coby White and Daniel Gafford. If a few of these players turn out to be All-Stars, then the Bulls could have a very bright future.

They also have some experienced role players who can start for many NBA teams in Otto Porter Jr. and Thaddeus Young, and so their team is quite deep as well. This is why they could be in the race for the playoffs in the East next season.

#10 Detroit Pistons

Apart from a brilliant big-man duo in Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond, the Pistons have a poor team. Guards Derrick Rose and Reggie Jackson can go off for 20+ sometimes, but they aren't very consistent. Meanwhile their forwards are probably the worst in the league with only French rookie Sekou Doumbouya standing out.

There have been numerous rumors swirling around that the team would trade Blake Griffin sooner or later in order to begin a full rebuild. However, for now, it seems that Detroit will stick with this team and see if they can make the NBA playoffs.

#9 Orlando Magic

Toronto Raptors v Orlando Magic - Game Three

The Magic are one of the few teams in the league who are bringing back virtually the same roster as last season with only one or two little tweaks. They signed versatile defensive forward in Al-Farouq Aminu whilst re-signing Vucevic, Ross, Birch and Carter-Williams.

In terms of their younger players, the Magic will expect to see significant improvements made by guard Markelle Fultz and big man Mo Bamba. Expect to see them contend for the playoffs again, however it could be harder than last season which is why they just miss out in this prediction.

#8 Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks are one of the most exciting teams in the league going forward because of the sheer amount of young talent they have, a lot of which is proven. Trae Young and John Collins are already amongst the top 10 duos in the league and will be joined by a forward duo of DeAndre Hunter and Cam Reddish.

These players along with the likes of sharpshooter Kevin Huerter and stretch 5 Alex Len combine to form a magnificent group of players who can be contenders sooner rather than later in today's NBA.

#7 Miami Heat

The Heat failed to make the Playoffs last season but will expect to be in the 2020 postseason as a result of the addition of superstar Jimmy Butler. The Heat have a decent group of role players around him in Goran Dragic, Adebayo, James Johnson, Justise Winslow, Dion Waiters and Kelly Olynyk.

But none of these players are anywhere near to being All-Star caliber. Improvement is expected from the Heat, but not significant improvement unless they acquire another star.

#6 Indiana Pacers

The Pacers finished fifth seed last season despite Victor Oladipo being ruled out for the season in January, but now face a tougher task as they lost Bojan Bogdanovic to the Utah Jazz, Thaddeus Young to the Chicago Bulls, Tyreke Evans to suspension and Darren Collison to retirement. However, they have signed Malcolm Brogdon, Jeremy Lamb and TJ Warren to the roster.

So, overall, it seems that Indiana will just get a little worse as they need to figure out how the new players are going to fit in to the team and Oladipo will need some time to get back to the level he was playing at before his injury.

#5 Toronto Raptors

The defending NBA Champions lost their best player Kawhi Leonard and their starting shooting guard Danny Green in free agency. GM Masai Ujiri has suggested that they could rebuild the team around Pascal Siakam, who is an All-Star caliber player. Toronto could choose to trade veteran point guard Kyle Lowry for young pieces before next season's trade deadline in order to do that.

However, next season, the Raptors should still be able to make the post season and play for home-court advantage as they still have a lot of experience as well as talent on the roster. Big men Pau Gasol and Serge Ibaka will have bigger roles to play on offense while maintaining their superb defensive standards. Also, small/power forward OG Anunoby will have an opportunity to shine with more minutes available.

#4 Brooklyn Nets

The Nets managed to sign superstar duo Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, supposedly making them a championship contender. However, due to KD's injury -- one that could rule him out for the entire campaign, Brooklyn will essentially have the same team as last season except for Kyrie Irving replacing D'Angelo Russell.

But they have also added veterans DeAndre Jordan and Garrett Temple to the team. So they're expected to be a strong playoff team next season, but not necessarily a contender.

#3 Boston Celtics

Despite losing All-Stars Kyrie Irving, Al Horford and Marcus Morris in free agency while trading Aron Baynes, Boston still expects to be a contender in the East. This is because they replaced Irving with All-Star Kemba Walker, who has a better reputation as a leader and teammate. Also, Gordon Hayward, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are all looking good for All-Star places next season. It's a fresh start with a new team identity.

Drafting young talented prospects in Romeo Langford, Carsen Edwards and Grant Williams means that the team got younger and has an even brighter future. Finally, signing big men Enes Kanter and Vincent Poirier will significantly improve the C's rebounding numbers. So, overall, the Celtics may be a much better team than last season.

#2 Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks have the reigning MVP in Giannis Antetokounmpo, whose next challenge from legend Kobe Bryant is to deliver an NBA championship. The team is almost the same as last season except for Wesley Matthews, Kyle Korver and Robin Lopez replacing Malcolm Brogdon, Tony Snell and Nikola Mirotic. So their role players are a bit worse now.

Anyhow, they will still be among the favorites to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals next season. If the Bucks are to have a better chance than last season, Giannis needs to develop a better jump-shot and Khris Middleton needs to become a more consistent playoff scorer.

#1 Philadelphia 76ers

Finally, we have the Sixers. They may be a slightly worse team on the perimeter than last season due to the departures of Jimmy Butler and JJ Redick, but could have a better record and chance to make the NBA Finals as a result of signing Al Horford and acquiring Josh Richardson in the Butler sign-and-trade with Miami. Tobias Harris' production is expected to increase from last season too.

Philly's perimeter will undoubtedly get worse on the defensive side of things but Al Horford's addition to Joel Embiid in the paint compensates for that. On offense, with less perimeter shooting, the Sixers could struggle to get it going in the playoffs. Anyhow, with the Raptors being significantly weakened by Kawhi's departure, the 76ers could have a clearer path to the Conference Finals and the title shot.

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Edited by sam.abraham