Eastern Conference Power Rankings: Cavs leap after Mitchell trade

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Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls and LaMelo Ballo, Terry Rozier, Charlotte Hornets. Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images /

Eastern Conference Power Rankings: Fighting for Scraps

9. Chicago Bulls

Last season the Chicago Bulls were in first place in the Eastern Conference for much of the season, before an injury-prompted last-season slump saw them fall to sixth. Yet even with their winning record they had a negative point differential, buoyed by DeMar DeRozan’s late-game heroics. If they play more to their point differential they’ll fall down the standings, and with Lonzo Ball out to start the season still recovering from a knee injury, the bottom could fall out on the Bulls very quickly.

10. Washington Wizards

Bradley Beal is entering the season healthy, and he’ll get to play alongside Kristaps Porzingis now. With a revamped backcourt around Beal, the Wizards will at least bring something new to the table this season. If they can get a step forward from one of their young guys, perhaps Deni Avdija after a strong showing in EuroBasket, they could make a push for a spot in the final 8.

11. New York Knicks

The New York Knicks finished 11th last season and then added Jalen Brunson in free agency. How are they not further up this list? Simply put, the only team above them that got worse was Charlotte, and the Wizards made enough addition to leap over them. This is a tight tier of team that could finish in any order, but with a lot of young players blocked by a head coach who prefers veterans this team could get pulled in a lot of different directions this year.

12. Charlotte Hornets

Last season the Charlotte Hornets finished 10th to sneak once again into the play-in, but their only offseason additions were a couple of rookie draft picks. Add in the loss of Miles Bridges, who is both still a free agent and unlikely to play this season, and the Hornets have a lot of ground to make up just to maintain a spot in the play-in tournament. LaMelo Ball making another leap could help with that, but on its own it’s probably not enough.