James’ departure from the Cleveland Cavaliers leaves the Eastern Conference wide open. If the Toronto Raptors run it back—which still seems like the most likely outcome, aside from a potential salary cap dump (Norm?) to alleviate tax concerns—where do they stack up against the competition?
I think it’s safe to say the East’s bottom six from 2017-2018—Atlanta, Orlando, Chicago, New Jersey, New York, and Charlotte—will remain the same. Cleveland will likely join them on the outside of the playoffs looking in.
Of the next tier, the Detroit Pistons seem poised to make a leap (hey, we know the guy running the show now); they probably should have been a playoff team last year and if Reggie Jackson and Blake Griffin can stay healthy, they should be in the 45-win range.