The going is getting tougher in the NBA East.The top four teams look to be the Bucks, Nets, Sixers and Celts. The Heat, Cavs, Bulls, Raptors and Hawks will fight it out for the next 5. That leaves one play-in spot left for the other six teams.
The Knicks competition will come from four teams, the two veteran squads and the two up and coming teams. The Hornets and Wizards have established players with a couple of stars on each. Gordon Hyward and LeMello Ball lead a solid team with Rozier, Washington and Oubre. They hope that Mark Williams will eventually fill their weak center position, but Nick Richards and Mason Plumlee will get the most time this year. The loss of Miles Bridges cannot be made up by a healthy Hayward.
The Wizards have Bradley Beal, KP and Kyle Kuzma as their mainstays. Adding Delon Wright has given them a strong guard on both sides of the all. For Hachimura and Avdija, it is time to contribute more, especially on the defensive end.
Detroit and Orlando are being rebuilt on young talent. There are no all-stars on these squads, but they are deep in lottery talent. If and when they jell, they will be difficult opponents for the Knicks. Detroit seems a bit farther along. Troy Weaver had a model in mind when he took charge. The Pistons were going to be a ‘Defense First’ team. Tough, talented players Isaiah Stewart, Killian Hayes, Saddiq Bey, Isahia Livers, Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren have followed. Jaden Ivey, not known for his D, was by far the best player available for the Pistons at #5. This is a team that has all the ingredients of title challenger down the road.
Orlando’s draft picks have not been made with the same singular purpose. The Magic have gone with the best players available. The Magic still have a glaring weakness in the middle. Wendell Catrter Jr. is a fine player, but more of a small ball C or PF. He is not a rim runner. There is also a glut of young guards that may be more disruptive than helpful. The talent is there, but can Jamahl Mosley weld these players into a truly competitive team?
Only Detroit seems to have a roster ready made to jell. The Knicks and the other three contenders for a shot at the play-in face the problem of getting their teams to play together. Orlando has the only unproven coach in Jamahl Mosely. Dwayne Casey, Steve Clifford, and Thibs are hardened veterans of the NBA.
In the final analysis, Detroit seems primed to make the playoffs in 2023.