Bulls:
The Bulls are 9-14 and the 12th seed in the East. I believe that it’s time for them to break up their current “big 3” and enter a rebuild. With the uncertainty around Lonzo Ball’s health, I feel like the team should become sellers, and try to move the pieces they have now. I think they could try and keep Lavine, and move on from Derozan and Vucevic. Lavine is currently sidelined with a foot injury, and many believe that he is the most likely to be traded of the 3, but I don’t think that’d be a good move for the Bulls to make.
Cavaliers:
The Cavs are currently 13-9 and the 6th seed in the East. They boast a top 10 defense, but a bottom 10 offense. I believe that their offense has the ability to get better, especially when you have players like Mitchell and Garland. They’ve both missed some games so that is probably why their offense isn’t the best. I don’t see them as strong contenders, but they have the potential to do damage in the playoffs.
Pistons:
The Pistons are 2-20, and currently on a 19 game losing streak. I haven’t been able to watch too much of their games, but I believe that the majority of the blame lies with their coach Monty Williams. He was signed to a pretty large contract and so far hasn’t shown anything for it. On the bright side, they’ll probably end up with a top pick to add to their roster of promising young players. I believe that Cade Cunningham, Ausar Thompson, and Jalen Duren will develop into stars.
Pacers:
The Pacers are 12-8 and currently the 5th seed in the East. They are touting the best offense in the league, and one of the best of all time. Tyrese Haliburton has really blossomed into a star, and has become one of the top offensive players in the league. They are in the search for a 2-way wing to pair alongside Haliburton and the team desperately needs one. They are the 2nd worst defense in the league, and when their offense isn’t clicking they can’t do much. I see them securing a spot in the playoffs, but I think they’ll be 1st round exits depending on who they play.
Bucks:
The Bucks are 15-7 and the 3rd seed in the East. They are the 3rd best offense in the league, but a bottom 10 defense. They were expected to fall off defensively with the loss of Jrue Holiday, but I wasn’t expecting it to be this drastic. They should be able to improve because they still have great defensive pieces like Giannis and Lopez. Although their defense hasn’t been great I still see them as contenders, because of the potential of Giannis and Dame. They’ve managed to play well enough the be the 3rd seed, but they still haven’t formed good chemistry together. Once they do it will be scary for the rest of the league.