Eastern Conference Power Rankings: Cavs leap after Mitchell trade

2 of 6

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks and Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics. Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images /

Eastern Conference Power Rankings: The Favorites

1. Milwaukee Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks went into last season’s playoffs as the slight favorites to win the Eastern Conference, and took the Boston Celtics to seven games despite missing All-Star Khris Middleton for that entire series. Their core returns intact and Giannis Antetokounmpo is the best player in the world, putting them atop the conference heading into the season.

2. Boston Celtics

The defending Eastern Conference champions looked amazing across the second half of the season last year and pushed the Golden State Warriors hard in the Finals. Jayson Tatum is coming into his own as a superstar Top-10 player, and there is plenty of depth around him. The Celtics took last year’s rotation and merely added Malcolm Brogdon on top of it, putting them in a great place to run it back.