The play-in tournament, which has been adopted as an every-season fixture, means that only 10 of 30 NBA teams won’t get at least a taste of the postseason from year to year.
Last season, the Knicks, Wizards, Pacers, Pistons and Magic were the five Eastern Conference teams who failed to qualify.
All of those teams, via some combination of the draft, free agency and trades, have made numerous roster moves this summer in an effort to improve their stock.
Let’s take a quick look at each of those clubs’ major moves, focusing on acquisitions beyond re-signing their own free agents:
- Knicks – They made a big splash by dumping salary in order to sign one of the top free agents on the board, Mavs guard Jalen Brunson. They also upgraded their frontcourt by nabbing Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency. Of course, they are considered the favorites to acquire Donovan Mitchell if Utah deals the All-Star guard.
- Wizards – They were intent on upgrading their point guard position and did so by trading for Monte Morris from Denver and signing free agent Delon Wright. Small forward Will Barton was also acquired from the Nuggets. They also added high-scoring guard Johnny Davis with their lottery pick.
- Pacers – The went all-out to sign All-Star caliber center Deandre Ayton and came up short, as the Suns matched their offer sheet. They did add a very promising wing, Bennedict Mathurin, in the lottery. They also added guard Andrew Nembhard with the first pick of the second round. Guard Aaron Nesmith and center Daniel Theis were acquired in the trade that sent Malcolm Brogdon to Boston.
- Pistons – Thanks to a draft-night swap, Detroit ended up with two lottery selections. The Pistons selected point guard Jaden Ivey with their own pick to pair up in the backcourt with last year’s No. 1 overall selection, Cade Cunningham. A three-way trade gave them the rights to center Jalen Duren. They also added guard Alec Burks and big man Nerlens Noel via the Knicks’ salary-dumping maneuvers.
- Magic – Other then re-signing Mohamed Bamba and Gary Harris, the Magic have been relatively quiet on the free agent market. However, they had the No. 1 overall selection in a loaded lottery and used it on Duke forward Paolo Banchero, giving them a dynamic forward combo alongside last year’s lottery pick, Franz Wagner.
That brings us to our question of the day: Which Eastern Conference team that failed to reach the postseason this spring – Knicks, Wizards, Pacers, Pistons, Magic – has the best chance to qualify for next year’s playoffs?
Please take to the comments section to weigh in on this topic. We look forward to your input.
I think the only teams above not reaching the play-in tournament are the Magic and questionably the Pacers. Although, I do not think any of those teams above will be making the playoffs, only the play-in.
One would have to if three are in the play-in
I think what they meant was that they wouldn’t qualify for a postseason spot outright by being in the top 6 and would have to participate in the play-in tournament.
Confusing for sure
No I meant what I said. If the Wizards, Pistons, and Knicks are all in the play-in, then at least one of them has to make it out. That’s what I mean.
“Playoff teams” in this instance refers only to teams making the postseason without first winning play-in games (i.e, the top 6 in each conference). You have 4 teams participating in the play-in tournament. Therefore, it is theoretically possible for all of those teams to be “play-in teams” as defined here.
Okay I see what you mean
Knicks in place of Hornets is the only change unless ATL or New Jersey fall apart.
Ball, Bridges and support is > NYK
Not sure I’d be counting on Bridges this year…
With the Bridges incident in Charlotte along with the possible KD and Irving exits from Brooklyn there may be two spots open. Of the teams listed the Pacers could slip in with the 9 or 10 seed and the Knicks if they pull off the Mitchell trade may do the same.
Knicks are better than the Pacers without Mitchell. With him they’d be a top 5 team in the east. Pacers, Hornets, Wizards, Pistons, and possibly the Magic are the teams I’d leave out. Magic will be entertaining to watch, though, and could take a step forward, so they’re the one team I’m hesitant about including. Bridges is probably looking at a year suspension, so I think that rules the Hornets out.
There’s so many IF’s in this years EC playoffs. The Nets probably miss the playoffs IF they trade Kyrie and Durant. The Knicks probably make the playoffs IF they get Mitchell. The Hornets will probably be worse IF no one steps up to replace Bridges
I definitely agree with you, alphatron, at least the first sentence . . . but all of those teams have just as good of a chance as anybody else. The Nets aren’t trading Kyrie and KD unless they still have a good chance at competing for a title in the near future. The Knicks could easily make the play-in with Brunson, Barrett and Randle – and more moves might be on the way if they don’t get Mitchell. Most likely what happens here is someone falls apart and pulls the plug. The East is stacked at the bottom right now, with 12 or 13 teams that could easily make it. So if the Bulls, Nets, or Raptors (assuming no KD deal) fall apart, that could open up a spot for Washington or New York. So two spots open for Washington, New York, and Charlotte (I think Detroit and Indiana are both a year or two away from competing). Things should get interesting.
Knicks will make it. Charolette will drop out. I think the Magic will get it going late in the season.
I think Detroit will be the best of this group, but they’re probably another year or two from a playin spot.
Here’s how I would rank the teams in the east based off of off-season moves thus far:
1)Milwaukee
2)Chicago
3)Celtics
4)Heat
5)Philly
6)Brooklyn
7)Atlanta
8)Knicks
9)Cavs
10)Raptors
11)Magic
12)Wizards
13)Charlotte
14)Pistons
15)Pacers
This is assuming Mitchell stays, and Bridges is suspended (probably for the year). I’m probably higher on the Bulls than most, but I think they’ll be a lot better with a healthy Ball, as they were before he got hurt. If the Knicks DO get Mitchell, I’d put them neck and neck with Philly and the Heat in the 4-5 range. Cavs, Hawks, Magic, and Pistons could also be much better, or worse, depending on how things shake out. Conference is pretty loaded, so should be a fun season.
NYK, if they stay relatively healthy, won’t be in the bottom 5. A lot had to go wrong last season to get them there. Right now, I see them as around a .500 team. I’m not overly impressed with the EC, but there is balance and, right now, there are more than 6 teams with a better shot at being in the top 6 (although, IMO, only a relatively healthy MIL and BOS would be locks for it).
Agreed.