Expect: An Eastern Conference arms race
The Eastern Conference playoffs are going to be especially fun this year. The top three of the conference (PHI/BKN/MKE) are a separate tier from the rest of the conference, but those standings could shake up several times before the end of the regular season.
Slots 4-10 are all between 22-21 and 19-23. Just endless possibilities. And those teams all want a leg up on the competition. The Bucks already made the move for PJ and Philly is rumored for Kyle Lowry among other targets.
The Bulls are into Lonzo Ball, the Hawks are into Oladipo, the Pacers are shopping everyone (for some reason), the Celtics as usual are involved in several rumors, the Knicks are into Lonzo, Oladipo, and more, the Heat are talking to SEVERAL guards and big men. Get ready folks, it is about to go down.
Prediction: Half the teams in the EC playoff run will add a player in a trade. Let’s say…Miami, New York, Chicago, and Boston as locks.
This really is my favorite time of the NBA year. Beyond the REAL parts of the playoffs. Rumors are flying everywhere, and more teams than ever before have a reason to buy in because of the play-in tournament. I know a lot of times all this smoke turns into nothing because GMs get gun-shy.
But let us be optimistic! I am always rooting for the most chaotic and fun scenarios, and I think that is what we are going to get.