4) Milwaukee Bucks
As long as Giannis Antetokoumpo is around, the Bucks will always be a contender in the East. The team struggled with injuries down the stretch and it was difficult for the Bucks to recover after a midseason coaching change. Milwaukee ranked in the top 10 last season in offense but the defense took a hit as they were ranked number 19 in the first year without Mike Budenholzer manning the ship. With a fresh offseason and a full year to gameplan for Doc Rivers, the Bucks could make some noise in the Eastern Conference.
3) Philadelphia 76ers
The aforementioned 76ers moves put the team in championship contention and extreme win-now mode. The roster isn’t getting any younger and they are clearly all in to win a championship in 2024. They have a lot of depth all over the floor including center, which has been a problem when Joel Embiid is off the court.
Nick Nurse became a fan favorite in his first year as head coach for his ability to get the most out of his players. Injuries are a concern for the team as George and Embiid have not shown that they can stay healthy when it matters most. If they can stay healthy, this starting lineup which includes star point guard Tyrese Maxey is one of the best in the game.