It's the Cavaliers' world, and the rest of the teams are just living in it. The Celtics look to be the biggest threat along with the Raptors. The real battle could be at the other end of the standings, between Brooklyn and Philadelphia, for the No. 1 draft pick.
Atlanta Hawks
Dwight Howard has landed in Atlanta, and he seems happy for the time being, while Paul Millsap will play the stretch four position and allow Howard room to operate inside. Could they mimic the Orlando 2008-09 season?
Roster
Lost: Al Horford, Jeff Teague, Lamar Patterson
Added: Dwight Howard, Jarrett Jack, Malcolm Delaney, Taurean Prince, DeAndre Dembry, Isaia Cordinier
Star: Dwight Howard. He looks rejuvenated and has plenty to prove to the league. Breakout: Dennis Schroder. The starting point guard role is his, and he should flourish in it.
Last Season: Same old Atlanta, no finisher. 48-34
Projection: Dwight the difference maker, 48-34 record (4th)
Boston Celtics
They've brought in Al Horford and No. 3 draft pick Jaylen Brown. Is this their time? Are the pieces finally falling the right way for the Celtics to return to the top and be consistent contenders?
Roster
Lost: Jared Sullinger, Evan Turner, John Holland
Added: Al Horford, Jaylen Brown, Gerald Green, Guerschon Yabusele, Ante Zizic, Demetrius Jackson, Ben Bentil, Abdel Nader.
Star: Isaiah Thomas. He will lead the Celtics back into the Eastern Conference Finals as the No. 2 seed.
Breakout: Avery Bradley. He is always a contender for Defensive Player of the Year but this season he can really exploit the other end of his game.
Last Season: Showed they're almost ready to return to the top; 48-34 Projection: Should the Cavs be worried? 53-29 record (2nd)
Brooklyn Nets
Things have been ugly in Brooklyn for a long time, and the forecast for darkness lingers. They've cleared out the big contracts and look set to bottom out before attacking the trade period or waiting for free agency next year.
Roster
Lost: Donald Sloan, Thaddeus Young, Jarrett Jack, Sergey Karasev, Shane Larkin, Markel Brown, Wayne Ellington, Willie Reed.
Added: Anthony Bennett, Jeremy Lin, Trevor Booker, Randy Foye, Justin Hamilton, Joe Harris, Luis Scola, Greivis Vasquez, Caris LeVert, Isaiah Whitehead
Star: Jeremy Lin. Linsanity is back in NYC, this time hoping to turn around a broken Brooklyn franchise.
Breakout: Impossible to pick but let's hope that Anthony Bennett can show he can play in this league.
Last Season: Second last in the East; 21-61 record
Projection: Bottom of the East; 20-62 record (14th)
Charlotte Hornets
They're close but they're not close enough. Will welcome back Michael Kidd-Gilchrist to their starting five, hoping his perimeter defensive work along with interior work of Roy Hibbert can set up a fast break style of play.
Roster
Lost: Al Jefferson, Courtney Lee, Jeremy Lin, Troy Daniels
Added: Roy Hibbert, Brian Roberts, Ramon Sessions, Christian Wood, Marco Belinelli
Star: Kemba Walker. He has so much talent waiting to explode out of him; this is the season it happens.
Breakout: Roy Hibbert. We haven't seen the Roy of old since he left Indiana. His defensive prowess will return in Charlotte.
Last Season: Good team, just not great; 48-34
Projection: Things going south; 39-43 record (9th)
Chicago Bulls
Their off-season strategy has been to buck the NBA trend of falling in love with the three-point shot to load up on players who can shoot only from inside 20 feet. Fred Hoiberg will need to pull a rabbit out of the hat if they want to compete in the playoffs.
Roster
Lost: Aaron Brooks, Pau Gasol, E'Twaun Moore, Joakim Noah, Mike Dunleavy, Derrick Rose, Justin Holiday, Cameron Bairstow
Added: Denzel Valentine, Paul Zipser, Isaiah Canaan, Spencer Dinwiddle, Rajon Rondo, Dwyane Wade, Robin Lopez, Jerian Grant
Star: Jimmy Butler. He's the future of the franchise and needs to be given the keys to drive.
Breakout: Doug McDermott. The Bulls need knock-down shooters, and Dougie fits the bill.
Last Season: Injuries cruelled them; 42-40
Projection: Not sure what is happening in Chicago; 36-46 record (11th)
Cleveland Cavaliers
The defending champions will be looking to go back to back with LeBron seeking to make his seventh consecutive trip to the NBA Finals.
Roster
Lost:Matthew Dellavedova, Timofey Mozgov, Sasha Kaun, Dahntay Jones
Added: Chris Anderson, Mike Dunleavy, Kay Felder
Star: LeBron James. Did you expect it to be anybody else?
Breakout: Kevin Love. Sounds weird, we know, but he'll return to Minnesota form.
Last Season: Champions. 57-25 record.
Projection: Can the Cavs do it again? We say they'll post a 59-23 record (1st).
Detroit Pistons
Stan Van Gundy is a mastermind who will extract all that he can out of this talented squad. Andre Drummond should burst out of the blocks and control games without Reggie Jackson; once their point guard returns, they'll settle into a nice rhythm.
Roster
Lost: Anthony Tolliver, Spencer Dinwiddie, Jodie Meeks, Joel Anthony
Added: Ish Smith, Jon Leuer, Boban Marjanovic, Henry Ellenson, Michael Gbinije
Star: Andre Drummond. He's a monster inside the paint on both ends.
Breakout: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. One of the better perimeter defenders will take the next step toward being a two-way star.
Last Season: Van Gundy showed his coaching prowess; 44-38.
Projection: Will sneak into the playoffs, but can they do damage? 41-41 record (8th).
Indiana Pacers
Eastern Conference sleepers who have the tools to really challenge and rattle cages in the playoffs. Everyone remembers Paul George's injury but many forget he was once an MVP contender; he'll return to that level.
Roster
Lost: Jordan Hill, Ty Lawson, Solomon Hill, Ian Mahinmi, George Hill, Shayne Whittington
Added: Georges Niang, Aaron Brooks, Al Jefferson, Kevin Seraphin, Jeremy Evans, Jeff Teague, Thaddeus Young
Star: Paul George. He will be spoken about as one of the best two-way players in the game once again.
Breakout: Myles Turner. High-octane big man who runs the floor all day long.
Last Season: Heading in the right direction; 45-37.
Projection: Watch out Eastern Conference; 48-34 record (6th).
Miami Heat
Baffling is the best way to describe the Heat's off-season. They didn't want to pay Dwyane Wade the big bucks so they let him walk, and now the Chris Bosh looks likely to stall. The glory days are well and truly over.
Roster
Lost: Dwyane Wade, Luol Deng, Joe Johnson, Gerald Green, Dorell Wright, Amare Stoudemire
Added: Luke Babbitt, Dion Waiters, Wayne Ellington, James Johnson, Willie Reed, Beno Udrih, Derrick Williams
Star: Hassan Whiteside. With Wade gone it's his turn to take control.
Breakout: Justise Winslow. Will get plenty of opportunity this season
Last Season: Transition from Big Three still hanging around; 48-34.
Projection: Wheels have fallen off the bandwagon; 36-46 record (10th).
Milwaukee Bucks
Shaping as big-time contenders for the East before Khris Middleton went down with injury, but there is still plenty of optimism surrounding the playing group. Jabari Parker and Giannis Antetokounmpo look primed to lead the Bucks, and are putting the rest of the conference on notice. Fear the Deer.
Roster
Lost: Jerryd Bayless, Greivis Vasquez, Tyler Ennis, Johnny O'Bryant, Damien Inglis, O.J Mayo.
Added: Thon Maker, Malcolm Brogdon, Mirza Teletovic, Jason Terry, Michael Beasley, Matthew Dellavedova.
Last Season: Youth, and found their feet late; 33-49.
Projection: This is the Bucks' time to shine; 45-37 record (5th).
Star: Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Greek Freak is an enigma, and he will continue to puzzle teams this season with his unique skills.
Breakout: John Henson. Going to show that he is one of the better rim protectors in the game.
New York Knicks
Derrick Rose made the bold proclamation that the Knicks and the Warriors had each built a super team. Unfortunately for Derrick, that statement is only 50 percent accurate. The Knicks could be fun to watch, but they're a long way off being super.
Roster
Lost: Arron Afflalo, Langston Galloway, Kevin Seraphin, Derrick Williams, Jose Calderon, Jerian Grant, Robin Lopez, Tony Wroten
Added: Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, Willy Hernangomez, Brandon Jennings, Mindaugas Kuzminskas, Courtney Lee, Maurice Daly Ndour, Marshall Plumlee, Justin Holiday
Star: Kristaps Porzingis. The draw card, but can his game continue to expand?
Breakout: Brandon Jennings. He'll love the attention NYC brings, and will shine under the bright lights.
Last Season: Apart from Kristaps; it was dire in NYC. 32-50.
Projection: Knicks fans and media will not be happy; 35-47 record (12th).
Orlando Magic
Plenty of changeover in Orlando, and a couple of odd picks up for big money. The Jeff Green signing is a bit perplexing, as they're quite loaded at the small forward position, but frontcourt of Bismack Biyombo and Serge Ibaka is a defensive nightmare for opposing teams. Can Orlando produce some magic and make a playoff push?
Roster
Lost: Brandon Jennings, Victor Oladipo, Ersan Ilyasova, Shabazz Napier, Andrew Nicholson, Dewayne Dedmon, Jason Smith, Devyn Marble
Added: Serge Ibaka, Jeff Green, Bismack Biyombo, Jodie Meeks, DJ Augustin, Stephen Zimmerman, Cliff Alexander, Damjan Rudez, C.J Wilcox
Star: Nikola Vucevic. Big man in the low block is so important to the offensive structure.
Breakout: Mario Hezonja. Athletic as they come and ready to burst onto everyone's radar.
Last Season: Fun and energetic, with growing pains; 35-47.
Projection: Plenty of promise but roster doesn't work; 32-50 record (13th).
Philadelphia 76ers
Look at the positives; they should double their win total from last season. The process is taking a long time to pay off, although they looked like they were on their way before injury struck Ben Simmons. Joel Embiid will still ensure plenty of people tune in for their games.
Roster
Lost :Kendall Marshall, Ish Smith, Carl Landry, Christian Wood, Isaiah Canaan
Added: Ben Simmons, Dario Saric, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, Furkan Korkmaz, Jerryd Bayless, Gerald Henderson, Sergio Rodriquez.
Star: Ben Simmons. Brought all of the hype to breaking point, but can he make the floor?
Breakout: Joel Embiid. Finally on the floor and looks set to showcase his skillset.
Last Season: Tanking in full effect; 10-72.
Projection: Better but not great; 21-62 record (15th).
Toronto Raptors
Looked to be genuine threats to the Eastern Conference throne last year but peaked too early. Can they time their run better this season and take down the King?
Roster
Lost: Bismack Biyombo, James Johnson, Luis Scola, Jason Thompson
Added: Jakob Poeltl, Jared Sullinger, Pascal Siakam
Star: DeMar DeRozan. He signed a mega contract and now it's time to deliver.
Breakout: Terrence Ross. He can fade in and out, but this is the season he pieces it together.
Last Season: Lost Eastern Conference Final. 56-26 record.
Projection: Wanting to go one further; 51-31 record (3rd).
Washington Wizards
Can John Wall and Bradley Beal stay healthy for an entire season together? If the answer to that question is yes then they'll be a handful for opposing teams. Looking to return to the playoffs, and will prove to be a tough out behind an improved roster.
Roster
Lost: Alan Anderson, Jared Dudley, Nene, Ramon Sessions,, Garrett Temple, Drew Gooden
Added: Ian Mahinmi, Andrew Nicholson, Johnny O'Bryant, Jason Smith
Last Season: Swallowed up in East that lifted as a whole; 41-41.
Projection: The Wizards will run teams off the floor; 43-29 record (7th).
Star: John Wall. Roadrunner speed and ready to elevate to the next level.
Breakout: Otto Porter. Solid wing defender who will become reliable on offensive end.
Projected East Standings
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
2. Boston Celtics
3. Toronto Raptors
4. Atlanta Hawks
5. Milwaukee Bucks
6. Indiana Pacers
7. Washington Wizards
8. Detroit Pistons
9. Charlotte Hornets
10. Miami Heat
11. Chicago Bulls
12. New York Knicks
13. Orlando Magic
14. Philadelphia 76ers
15. Brooklyn Nets
