NBA: Re-Ranking The Eastern Conference After Free Agency

Dec 19, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (right) talks with center Hassan Whiteside (left) after Whiteside committed a foul during the second half against the Washington Wizards at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Miami Heat

2014-15 Record: 37-45

2015-16 Projected Wins: 40-50

If the Miami Heat can remain healthy, and that’s not guarantee by any stretch of the imagination, I firmly believe that this Heat team could even be better than this fourth slot. Considering that even if healthy, Dwyane Wade is probably going to rest a good 15-20 games this year, I think (record-wise) they’ll end up as the fourth best team in the conference.

Once they get in the playoffs however, depending on how the bracket shakes out, I think this Heat team is talented enough to push any team in the Eastern Conference Finals.

If they get a few bounces, I wouldn’t even be surprised if they managed to win the East. Yes, I’m that high on this team.

Goran Dragic, Wade, Chris Bosh, Hassan Whiteside, Luol Deng, Josh McRoberts, Justise Winslow is a heck of a top-7 for any team in the NBA, let along in the Eastern Conference.

Next: No. 3 Atlanta Hawks