6. Brooklyn Nets
Perhaps it’s a bit reactionary, but it seems like the Brooklyn Nets have figured some things out. They’ve won four games in a row and are only one game out of the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
Kevin Durant is playing at an MVP level and the Nets are still winning even though James Harden is still trying to find himself amid the new NBA rules. Even if Kyrie Irving doesn’t return at any point this season, I don’t think we can count the Nets out as a possible dominant contender in the East (by season’s end). It was always going to take this team some time to get right this season.
If Kylie returns, it will only be a bonus for an Eastern Conference contender that is already extremely dangerous as is.