2. Chicago Bulls - With the Bulls getting a healthy Derrick Rose back, that's as big of an upgrade to a roster you will see beyond LeBron James. The Bulls are a pretty good team, but add in a former MVP, and you have a legit title contender. Not only do they get a healthy Rose, they sign Pau Gasol. The Gasol-Joakim Noah front court could be the best in the league. Gasol and Noah both are great passing big men, and can really open up the offense and allow Rose to do a lot of creating. Taj Gibson remains one of the best 6th man's in the league. Perhaps rookie, Doug McDermott, could really help this team. Jimmy Butler has really emerged as a solid contributor in the starting lineup, and the Bulls have the makeup of a team that can win the East.
3. Indiana Pacers - Assuming Lance Stephenson returns, the Pacers should be back towards the top of the East next season. Stephenson and Paul George from one of the league's best young set of wings, and those two can really carry a team pretty far. So much was talked about them collapsing late in the season and squeaking by in the playoffs, but that was them at the worst. The Pacers have proven before that they could play much better, and they still managed to win a pair of games against the Heat when push came to shove. This is still a good team. Dropping Evan Turner and adding CJ Miles is a better fit for this team. Roy Hibbert is up and down, but we know he is capable of being a force when pushed enough. They still have a pair of smart veterans with David West and Luis Scola at the power forward spot. Adding a point guard would be a good move, though. George Hill is good, but he could be upgraded.
4. Miami Heat - The mighty have not fallen too much. Pat Riley was able to bring back Chris Bosh and likely will get Dwayne Wade too. They managed to lure Danny Granger and Josh McRoberts into the fold also. Shabazz Napier will make an impact as a rookie, and they still should be able to make some noise. McRoberts is an upgrade at the center spot, and should add some rebounding the Heat have lacked. The rumors now of Luol Deng joining the team would be huge, and the Heat could really be a pesky team for LeBron and the other top teams.
5. Toronto Raptors - The Raptors essentially have their whole team back from last season, and they should continue to grow as a threat to the top tier of the Eastern Conference. The Raptors made enough small moves to improve the roster even further. Kyle Lowry is one of the premier point guards in the league, and is coming off a big season. They added Lou Williams to help improve the guard play off the bench along with Greivis Vasquez. DeMar DeRozan and Terrence Ross are two budding stars, especially DeRozan who averaged 22 points a game last season. Jonas Valanciunas is also coming into his own as a 22 year old center. This team is so young, but they showed a lot last season. They have talent and depth at each and every spot, and they could be a scary good team in a few seasons, and will be a tough out this year.
6. Washington Wizards - The Wizards, much like the Raptors, have young exciting core that was mostly kept together. John Wall (23) and Bradley Beal (21) make for one of the best backcourts in the league, and they even propelled the Wizards into the second round of the playoffs. The Wizards managing to keep Marcin Gortat is huge for this team, as he provides a great presence down low. Nene is also back, and they have a formidable front line that can hang with anyone in the East. The Wizards added future hall of famer, Paul Pierce, to bring another veteran presence in what will probably be his last go around in this league. Martell Webster is a reliable backup and should see a lot of minutes because of Pierce's age. Washington has the core in place to be an attractive destination for Kevin Durant to join his hometown team next offseason.
7. Charlotte Hornets - The trend continues with young and exciting teams, and the Hornets are just that. Kemba Walker has been a solid pro in his young career, and is a good start to this team. Gerald Henderson is not the greatest two guard in the league, but does a nice job for this team. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is the exciting piece to this team, and he could really take a big step forward this season. MGK is so young still, but has an exciting skill set. Al Jefferson really solidifies this team, and gives them a great player in the post. It will be interesting to see who the fourth starter will be since they have lost Josh McRoberts, Cody Zeller and rookie Noah Vonleh are the team's past two number one picks, and interestingly enough come from Indiana. Vonleh has gotten some LaMarcus Aldridge comparisons, and Zeller could allow Jefferson to play some at the four. They also signed Marvin Williams from Utah, and he could also. Depth will be this team's ultimate concern. I think they can make the playoffs again, but they will have to work for it.
8. Atlanta Hawks - The Hawks nearly pulled off a first round upset of the Indiana Pacers, and they have a roster equipped to return to the postseason. Jeff Teague has been a solid point man for Atlanta, and he should continue to be a solid guard. Atlanta upgraded the wing position with the signing of Thabo Sefolosha from Oklahoma City. Kyle Korver is back and gives the Hawks a serious shooting threat to compliment Sefolosha's defense. The return of Al Horford and having Paul Millsap coming off his best statsistical season gives the Hawks a tough duo to handle in the post.
9. New York Knicks - I don't think the Knicks have quite enough around Carmelo Anthony to make a serious run. They should be in contention for a playoff spot, and could sneak in there. I look for Cleanthony Early to make a serious impact as I feel he was one of the biggest steals in the draft.
10. Brooklyn Nets - Deron Williams and Joe Johnson is still a dangerous backcourt, and they could make the playoffs if things go right. Still, an aging Kevin Garnett and Brook Lopez coming off injury leaves a lot of questions up front.
11. Detroit Pistons - The talent is there, but this team does not seem to mesh well together. Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe make for a tough interior. Josh Smith obviously still has some game, and Brandon Jennings is very talented himself. For whatever reason, it didn't work last year. Maybe it will this year? They added Jodie Meeks to the equation in free agency and drafted a very good prospect in Spencer Dinwiddie.
12. Boston Celtics - Rajon Rondo is still around, and they drafted well by getting Marcus Smart and James Young. Boston still is a ways off from making a serious run for the playoffs, and they need to draft or sign some stronger pieces in the post.
13. Orlando Magic - The Magic will likely be hanging around the lottery once again next season, but they have been adding solid pieces like Victor Oladipo last year and Aaron Gordon and Elfrid Payton this year. Adding veterans, Ben Gordon and Channing Frye, should help the team, and maybe they can fare a little bit better.
14. Milwaukee Bucks - Jabari Parker will instantly become the face of the franchise, and has a chance to be a special player in this league. Brandon Knight is a good point guard, and Giannis Antetokounmpo is a promising player oozing with potential.
15. Philadelphia 76ers - The Sixers have Michael Carter-Williams and not much else. Philly drafted Joel Embiid, but he is injury prone and a question mark. They did the same with Nerlens Noel last year, and we will see if Noel is the real deal this season. Fortunatley for the Sixers, they have tons of young players recently drafted with potential like KJ McDaniels, Jerami Grant, and Jordan McRae.
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