2019-20 NBA Season: Predicting the Eastern Conference standings

#5 Toronto Raptors

Pascal Siakam

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.

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#4 Brooklyn Nets

Kyrie Irving

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.

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#3 Boston Celtics

Kemba Walker

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.

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#2 Milwaukee Bucks

Giannis Antetokounmpo

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.

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#1 Philadelphia 76ers

Joel Embiid and Al Horford

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.