16. Orlando Magic (14-18)
The Orlando Magic will likely make the playoffs, barring an unforeseen injury, but I’m not sure they’re going to make any noise once they get there. And, after what they accomplished last season, I’m not sure that’s enough.
Thus, they have a really difficult decision to make. Do they continue down this road and hope that something breaks right for them during the second half of this season or into next season, or do they decide that this is not the core that will take them to the next level?
15. Brooklyn Nets (16-15)
The Brooklyn Nets are in that final playoff tier in the Eastern Conference. Though, they’re also the final team in the East that could potentially pull off an upset in the first round. The big question surrounding this team is Kyrie Irving and if, when he returns, he’ll be able to fit seamlessly with the rest of this roster.
Even after the start of the season, I’m not sure that’s something we can firmly answer at this point in the experiment.