2018-19 NBA Power Rankings: Philadelphia 76ers looking up after All-Star break

The Hawks are finding ways to compete. Trae Young is rounding into form, both as a shooter and as a playmaker. John Collins got fringe All-Star consideration, although his odds were never high. Few teams have a more promising young core and culture than Atlanta.

The Wizards are still trudging along the Eastern Conference basement, struggling to make the improvements necessary to grab a playoff spot. They’re still in the race and Bradley Beal is having a career season, but things are looking bleak in D.C.

The Hornets are currently seventh in the East, which speaks to how poor the conference is outside the top-five. Kemba Walker made his first All-Star start on Sunday, but the Hornets don’t have the depth or talent around him to legitimately compete.

The Heat are once again average, struggling to stay afloat without elite talent on the roster. Josh Richardson looks the part of a legitimate building block, but the roster as a whole underwhelms quite a bit.

The Mavericks traded four of five starters at the deadline, with several assets going toward Kristaps Porzingis — who can’t play yet. That leaves Luka Doncic with very little firepower to work with, perhaps a strategic last-second tank before making a playoff push next season.