East Power Rankings: No. 15-12
The prospects in the lottery range for this year’s draft seem a bit more uncertain than normal, but the two players at the top are true gems. The four teams at the bottom of the East are in two pairs: the Pistons and Hornets gunning for Victor Wembanyama or Scoot Henderson, and probable lottery teams in Orlando and Indiana.
The Detroit Pistons hung on to their vets at the Trade Deadline, signaling their desire to make a push next season. First, however, they have one more top lottery pick heading their way. The Pistons did move Saddiq Bey in exchange for James Wiseman, hoping to rehabilitate the former No. 2 overall pick. That would make more sense if they hadn’t done the same thing with Marvin Bagley II at last year’s deadline.
The Charlotte Hornets were another reluctant seller at the deadline despite their spot at the bottom of the standings. They sent out Jalen McDaniels and Mason Plumlee for a single second-round draft pick each, signaling their plan to re-sign P.J. Washington and Miles Bridges this summer. Even with LaMelo Ball healthy, the Hornets are comfortably on track to have a top lottery pick.
While the Detroit Pistons and Houston Rockets are the teams gunning for a leap next season, the Orlando Magic are the team that actually looks poised for that sort of a jump. Paolo Banchero is the runaway favorite for Rookie of the Year and players like Franz Wagner and Wendell Carter Jr. look like core pieces of a good team. Adding a top-flight guard, in the draft or free agency, is the leap-forward move this team will need to be truly dangerous in a few seasons. Flipping Mo Bamba to the Lakers are the deadline won’t affect their rotation so it was a good value play.
The Indiana Pacers have been spiraling lately, winning just two of their last 18 games. Tyrese Haliburton missed most of those due to injury, but their early-season success has disappeared and they are now in a tough position to make the Play-In Tournament. That’s probably the right move long-term, as another lottery pick at a forward position would really help them out. They held onto Myles Turner at the deadline, instead using their cap space to take on salary and add some draft capital.