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There is ways to go between now and next June, when the NBA champion will be crowned. Like, about a year. And plenty could change between now and the trade deadline in February. But for now, the title belongs to the Boston Celtics. Here is how we rank the Eastern Conference top five in late August:
It would be hard to argue against the reigning champions as not just the top team in the East, but the entire NBA, with the way they dominated on the way to the title. And everyone is back.
Granted, recent history shows its more difficult than ever to repeat, but now that Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum have a ring, the goal is to become a dynasty. With two of the top backcourt defenders in Jrue Holiday and Derrick White, a cheat code in Kristaps Porzingis, and great depth … well, a dynasty is a possibility.
On paper, the Sixers have it all, adding All-Star Paul George to Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. But it’s what Philly did around the edges that make you believe they’re a true contender. Along with the Big Three, they now feature the likes of Caleb Martin, Eric Gordon, Andre Drummond (again) and Reggie Jackson.
Those players aren’t stars in any sense, but they are the type of veterans who have been there before and can help carry you when things get tricky in the playoffs. Bottom line: No one looks more prepared to challenge the Celtics for East supremacy.
Adding Mikal Bridges to an already strong cast makes you think the Knicks can win it all. No, seriously. They have the ultimate leader and offensive weapon in Jalen Brunson, who not only can beat you alone, but often brings out the best in everyone else (Bridges, Julius Randle, OG Anunoby, etc.).
A major key will be staying healthy when it means the most — something that eluded the Knicks last season. Depth at center behind Mitchell Robinson is a concern, but that’s just nitpicking. Truth is, the Knicks should be even better than last season, when they finished with the No. 2 seed in the East.
The Cavs are banking on familiarity and the idea that new coach Kenny Atkinson can get them to another level. Darius Garland had a down year last season and they still finished with 48 wins and the No. 4 seed in the East (for the second time in a row). Donovan Mitchell is their greatest hope, but they’re counting on Garland having a rebound year.
And if Atkinson can get even more out of Evan Mobley, who knows? The Cavs have the potential to be a true darkhorse. Mobley and Jarrett Allen already form one of the top two or three defensive frontcourts in the entire NBA, and that can take you places in the playoffs.
Like Cleveland, Indiana is returning all of its major players, starting with Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam, as well as the always-at-least-solid Myles Turner. They also boast one of the NBA’s best coaches in Rick Carlisle. Also, let’s not forget we’re talking about a team that reached the Eastern Conference finals last season, when most everyone had them pegged for the lottery.
The Pacers don’t enter the season with as much as sizzle as the larger markets, but they showed they can win games simply by outscoring you. Defensively, there’s work to be done. But for the most part, they play hard and smart, and boast a swagger that reveals they think they can beat anyone, anywhere, anytime. A lot of times, they’re right.
- Others we could see finishing with top five seed: Milwaukee Bucks, Orlando Magic, Miami Heat.
- Coming soon: Top five teams in Western Conference
More must-reads:
- Nikola Jokic’s agent sparks LeBron James to Denver speculation with Instagram post
- Bulls sign HC Billy Donovan to multiyear extension
- The 'NBA Summer League MVPs' quiz
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TODAY'S BEST
Warriors and Lakers call about Derrick White, Celtics respond fast with demand for ‘Rudy Gobert package’
Derrick White and Jaylen Brown have become hot topics this offseason following significant changes to the Boston Celtics roster. The Boston Celtics entered rebuild mode after Jayson Tatum suffered a serious injury that will sideline him for the entire season. The Celtics responded by trading key players Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis during free agency. These moves sparked rumors that Boston would consider trading Derrick White and Jaylen Brown as well. Multiple teams inquired about both players’ availability throughout the summer. White particularly attracted interest from contending franchises seeking backcourt upgrades. Three top teams, including Warriors and Lakers, pursue White trade aggressively NBA insider Brett Siegel revealed that more teams called about White than Brown, with Western Conference contenders leading the pursuit of the veteran guard. Siegel identified the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, and Golden State Warriors as the primary suitors for White. All three franchises made formal inquiries about potential trade scenarios. “There just wasn’t really anything brewing on that front. You had multiple teams calling about Brown, even more teams calling about Derrick White, especially in the Western Conference,” Siegel reported. “You can look up and down the list from teams like the Rockets, Warriors. I’m sure the Lakers probably made a call there. They’re always involved in those trade talks. But I do know that the Warriors and the Rockets were two teams that inquired about Derrick White and put out feelers to see what it would take to get him,” Siegel added. Celtics instantly reject multiple first-round pick offers Boston immediately turned down initial proposals despite multiple first-round picks being included in the packages. The Celtics established an extremely high compensation threshold for any potential White trade. The organization views White as untouchable alongside Brown, despite their willingness to consider massive offers. Only historic trade packages would change their position. “And the Celtics did have an offer on the table that involved multiple first round picks. They did not want to trade Derrick White. He’s a player that they viewed as untouchable just like Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum,” Siegel explained. Boston’s resistance reflects their valuation of White as a crucial piece rather than expendable asset during their roster transition. Celtics demand Rudy Gobert-level compensation package Siegel compared Boston’s asking price to the massive package Utah received for Rudy Gobert from Minnesota. The Celtics would only consider deals matching that historic precedent. “Again, untouchable in quotes because if you get a package like a Rudy Gobert type package that the Utah Jazz got a few years ago when you’re getting pretty much every team’s round pick and a young talent to build with, something that you have to consider,” Siegel added. The Gobert trade included Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Leandro Bolmaro, Walker Kessler, Jarred Vanderbilt, four first-round picks, and one pick swap. The massive haul set unprecedented standards for star player compensation, even for a player like Gobert—who recently criticized by NBA legend Shaquille O‘Neil. Interested teams lack sufficient trade assets The Warriors, Lakers, and Rockets likely cannot assemble packages matching Boston’s Gobert-level demands. Golden State possesses limited draft capital and aging roster assets. The Lakers face similar constraints with minimal young talent and protected future picks. Houston maintains more flexibility but already constructed a balanced roster for next season. The gap between Boston’s asking price and available offers ensures White remains with the Celtics during their rebuild. The franchise’s historic compensation demands effectively remove him from realistic trade discussions despite widespread interest from contending teams.
Browns make curious decision with rookie QB Shedeur Sanders
The Cleveland Browns are giving Shedeur Sanders special treatment in training camp, but it's not the type of favoritism the fifth-round pick would necessarily want. Per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN, Sanders is the only Browns quarterback who has not been taking reps with the first-team offense during OTAs or the first two practices of training camp. Former Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Kenny Pickett, veteran Joe Flacco and rookie Dillon Gabriel have all split reps with the first team. Despite being asked to throw passes to members of the equipment staff amid a shortage of professional pass-catchers for a four-quarterback roster, Sanders said he's thankful for the opportunity to show the Browns coaching staff his talents. "I feel like that it's not in my control, so I'm not going to think about that or even have that in my thought process of why it is," Sanders said to a question as to why he's not getting first-team reps. "There's a lot of people who want to have the opportunity to be at this level, and I'm here and I'm thankful to have the opportunity. So, whenever that is, that is." Sanders, 23, believes that he can contribute more to the Browns than what the coaching staff is asking of him. "It doesn't make me feel down or left out because I know who I am as a person," Sanders said. "I know who I am as an individual and I know what I could bring to this team. So, I can never feel less than any circumstance." The Browns selected Sanders with the No. 144 pick in April's draft. As a player whom many draft analysts thought was a first-round talent, Cleveland took what could be the steal of the draft in the fifth round. It's curious why the Browns aren't giving Sanders a shot with the first team early in training camp before the quarterback race becomes more serious. Cleveland should see what Sanders has to offer this summer. Flacco, 40, isn't a long-term solution at the position. Pickett failed in Pittsburgh. The Browns need to gauge what rookies Gabriel and Sanders can do with the first team. Having Sanders throw balls to the equipment staff is a waste of everyone's time. But then again, Cleveland has wasted plenty of quarterbacks.
Mets Make Mark Vientos Decision After Luis Robert Jr. Trade Report
Right-handed slugger Mark Vientos is in his fourth season with the New York Mets after making his debut in 2022. The 24-year-old emerged as a rising star for New York last year, playing 111 games and posting career highs with a .266 batting average and an .837 OPS. He also elevated his performance in the 2024 postseason, batting .327 with 18 hits, five home runs, 14 RBIs and eight runs scored in 13 games, leading the Mets to an NLCS appearance. Vientos recently recovered from a right hamstring strain that sidelined him for a few weeks in June, but since then he has really struggled to return to form and regain his production at the plate. Ahead of Sunday’s series finale against the San Francisco Giants, the Mets decided to bench Vientos (the second time in the last three games). The decision to leave him out of the lineup came after Bob Nightengale reported that the Chicago White Sox require Vientos to be involved in any trade for center fielder Luis Robert Jr. Mets general manager David Stearns recently said the Mets will be “engaged” when it comes to possibly adding a center fielder, so addressing that outfield need and Vientos losing playing time may push the organization to part ways with him. In 2025, Vientos is hitting .226 with a .638 OPS, six home runs and 27 RBIs, a steep drop-off in production after his breakout year. He will remain under team control for five more seasons after 2025 and will not hit free agency until 2030.
Important trade stalls as Maple Leafs dangle bottom-six forward
The Toronto Maple Leafs are still looking for a solution to their bottom-six surplus, and veteran forward Calle Jarnkrok remains at the center of trade discussions. However, according to The Fourth Period, trade talks surrounding the 33-year-old winger have failed to gain momentum. They write: “He has a $2.1M cap hit and owns a 10-team no-trade list. The market hasn’t been vibrant, to this point, but the Leafs will continue to dangle him.” Why can’t the Maple Leafs find a taker for Jarnkrok? Jarnkrok has quietly been on the trade block for much of the offseason, but general manager Brad Treliving has yet to find a taker. After adding several depth forwards this summer, the Leafs now face a crowded bottom six — and Jarnkrok’s age, injury history and $2.1M cap hit through 2025–26 aren’t helping his value. Since joining Toronto, Jarnkrok has appeared in only 71 games over two seasons, scoring a modest 28 points. While his defensive versatility and penalty-killing ability are assets, his declining offensive production and durability concerns have made teams wary. With training camp approaching, the Maple Leafs may be forced to keep Jarnkrok on the roster — or retain salary in a deal — if they want to create space and flexibility. Dropping his cap hit down to just over $1M would open up the market a little. Until then, the Swedish forward remains a trade candidate in limbo. This isn’t great news as moving Jarnkrok from the roster is an important item on the team’s to-do list. Treliving would like more cap space, and with Jarnkrok and David Kampf both still on the roster, it hampers the GM’s ability to do other things.
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