Community Shootaround: Eastern Conference Favorites

Looking at the Eastern Conference, two teams stand out among the pack – at least in the betting lines.

In the NBA futures odds posted by FanDuel for next year’s championship, the Cavaliers (plus 750) and Knicks (+800) are the clear favorites.

That seems to be more of a process of elimination, rather than those teams dramatically improving this offseason.

The Celtics have spent the offseason shedding salary since star forward Jayson Tatum tore his Achilles during the playoffs.

Another perennial playoff contender, the Bucks, lost Damian Lillard in similar fashion and then waived him, allowing them to sign free agent Myles Turner. However, the oddsmakers peg them just eighth among Eastern Conference teams with even Boston ahead of them.

The defending conference champions, the Pacers, sit below both of them after losing Turner, as well as star guard Tyrese Haliburton for all of next season due to his Game 7 Achilles tear.

The Magic (+1700) rank third in the conference, followed by the Hawks (+3000), Sixers (+3500) and Pistons (+4000).

The merits of the favorites are obvious. Cleveland won 64 regular-season games but couldn’t get past Indiana in the postseason. New York suffered a similar fate in the conference finals.

The Knicks made a head coaching change but otherwise, the rosters of the two conference favorites remained pretty much intact.

Orlando was snakebit by injuries last season but have two star forwards in Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. The Magic made arguably the biggest trade among Eastern teams this offseason, adding Desmond Bane to their backcourt. The Hawks also made a major deal, acquiring Kristaps Porzingis to upgrade their frontcourt.

That brings us to today’s topic: Do you agree with the oddsmakers that the Cavaliers and Knicks are the top teams in the East? If not, which team or teams do you believe can challenge them for conference supremacy?

Please take to the comments section to weigh in on this topic. We look forward to your input.

View Comments (9)