{"numbering":"no_numbering","slides":[{"title":"Ranking the Rivals","video":"dOAD_NDTw5mj","thumbnail":{"uri":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/short_form_video/hero/NEW_CELTICS_EASTERN_RIVALS_RANKINGS_100520_1920x1080_1801283651972.jpg","alt":"Where do the Celtics' rivals in the East stand this offseason?","title":"Where do the Celtics' rivals in the East stand this offseason?"},"credit":"","published":1602002101,"caption":"

We don’t know when the 2020-21 NBA season will begin, or what the salary cap will look like, or how rosters might shake out after the wheeling and dealing of draft night and free agency. But that doesn’t mean we can’t make some bold declarations about where the Celtics fit in the hierarchy of the Eastern Conference next season.

For this exercise, we’ll make some best guesses about how teams might look next season and examine the big questions they face, all while acknowledging that an awful lot can change between now and, uh, whenever the new season begins.

"},{"title":"15. New York Knicks","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Thibodeau_Tom_USATSI_11952486.jpg","credit":"USA TODAY Sports photo","published":1601992605,"caption":"

With Tom Thibodeau in place as new head coach, the Knicks are set to accelerate player development by running their youngest players for 48 minutes per night.

Unlike a year ago when Durant and Irving snubbed them for Brooklyn, there’s no marquee names on the free-agent market that New York should be rushing to splurge on. It’s better for the Knicks to take their lumps, let the younger players develop, and then get left at the alter again in 2021.

"},{"title":"14. Cleveland Cavaliers","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Drummond_A_Love_K_GettyImages_1205805307.jpg","credit":"Getty Images","published":1601992694,"caption":"

The Cavaliers have a healthy Kevin Love and took a flier on Andre Drummond last year, so they should be able to a rebound even if Tristan Thompson leaves. Which is something because, beyond that, we have no idea what they do well.

The Cavaliers had the worst-ranked defense in the entire NBA last season and only the Warriors had a lower net rating. Maybe the No. 5 pick can help, if they don’t draft yet another undersized point guard.

"},{"title":"13. Charlotte Hornets","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Rozier_Terry_USATSI_13864875.jpg","credit":"USA TODAY Sports photo","published":1601992696,"caption":"

The Hornets were a bit of a punching bag after letting Kemba Walker depart and making Terry Rozier a centerpiece of a new-look roster. There’s at least hope now with Devonte’ Graham’s emergence and Rozier looking solid as a full-time starter.

If the Hornets don’t let newfound cap space burn a hole in their pocket there’s a path to being competitive again.

"},{"title":"12. Detroit Pistons","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Rose_Derrick_USATSI_13989040.jpg","credit":"USA TODAY Sports photo","published":1601992698,"caption":"

The Pistons will be tempted to strike this offseason in free agency, but the more prudent play may be to wait a year when their haul could be a lot grander. Detroit could still sign a bunch of one-year deals and try to compete in the short term but there’s simply more upside in using their space and flexibility to acquire additional assets this season.

The Celtics ought to call the Pistons to gauge the availability of Derrick Rose given their need for both a backup point guard and a veteran presence.

"},{"title":"11. Washington Wizards","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Beal_B_Wall_J_USATSI_10801786.jpg","credit":"USA TODAY Sports photo","published":1601992699,"caption":"

The John Wall hype videos are already rolling in. Alas, it’ll have been more than two years since Wall's last NBA game by the time the new season begins.

If Wall can rekindle some of his old game and the Wizards pay to retain Davis Bertans, is that enough to keep Bradley Beal from getting antsy about all the losing in DC?

"},{"title":"10. Chicago Bulls","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Markkanen_L_Carter_W_White_C_GettyImages_1172968569.jpg","credit":"Getty Images","published":1601992701,"caption":"

Armed with the No. 4 pick in the draft, the Bulls will add to their lottery collection that already includes Coby White, Wendell Carter Jr. and Lauri Markkanen. The challenge for new coach Billy Donovan is accelerating the development of those players.

The good news for the Bulls it that, even if they splurge to lock up Zach LaVine, their long-term cap sheet is mighty clean once Otto Porter comes off the books with only $30.5 million committed for the 2021-22 season. The Bulls are on a path back to contention and are the sort of team that might benefit from getting a small taste of the postseason for their younger players this year, then adding veterans that can boost the team’s ceiling after.

Kinda like the Celtics in 2015 before snagging Al Horford in free agency.

"},{"title":"9. Orlando Magic","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Fultz_Markelle_USATSI_14802597.jpg","credit":"USA TODAY Sports photo","published":1601992703,"caption":"

The Magic have a fair amount of intriguing young players and yet no legitimate superstar to build around and no obvious path to acquiring one. Jonathan Isaac gave Orlando a defensive identity when he was on the court and now he’s likely out for the 2021 season with a torn ACL suffered in the bubble.

Barring someone like Markelle Fultz making a pronounced leap, it’s hard to see a capped-out Magic team raising its ceiling beyond a first-round playoff exit without shaking up the core a bit.

"},{"title":"8. Atlanta Hawks","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Young_Trae_Collins_John_USATSI_13441995.jpg","credit":"USA TODAY Sports photo","published":1601992705,"caption":"

There is no denying Trae Young’s offensive talents and he’s been adamant recently that winning is more important than 50-point games. Now it’s time to prove it.

A young core headlined by Young, John Collins, and Kevin Huerter will add Clint Capela and another high draft pick to their mix. More importantly, the Hawks have a bunch of money to play with and can either add immediate help or operate with continued patience in search of a true impact addition.

Either way, it feels like the Hawks are shuffling back toward being a playoff team.

"},{"title":"7. Indiana Pacers","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Oladipo_Victor_USATSI_14159609.jpg","credit":"USA TODAY Sports photo","published":1601992707,"caption":"

Indiana is probably the most volatile pick in this mix. They’re almost certainly a tier below the East’s top dogs but decidedly better on paper than any of the eight teams below them. And yet they could go in either direction.

First, the Pacers need a new coach. Then they gotta figure out what’s happening with their core players. Is Victor Oladipo a franchise cornerstone or eyeing the Paul George exit plan? Will the Pacers deal Myles Turner given their ongoing struggles to pair him in the same frontcourt with Domantas Sabonis?

There’s a lot of tough decisions to be made in Indy, especially after a staggering five straight first-round playoff exits with only five playoff wins total in that span.

"},{"title":"6. Philadelphia 76ers","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Rivers_Doc_USATSI_12125567.jpg","credit":"USA TODAY Sports photo","published":1601992709,"caption":"

So either Doc Rivers is going to look like a genius or he’s going to spend a cold Northeast winter wondering why he didn’t just take a year to decompress and play a bunch of golf at Bel-Air Country Club.

Can Rivers bring the sort of accountability that forces Ben Simmons to step outside his comfort zone? Can Rivers figure out how to finally maximize the Simmons/Joel Embiid tandem? If he does, he’ll be deemed the post-Process savior. If he doesn’t, maybe the blame will finally land somewhere other than the coach.

"},{"title":"5. Toronto Raptors","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Siakam_P_Lowry_K_USATSI_12244167.jpg","credit":"USA TODAY Sports photo","published":1601992711,"caption":"

So much of Toronto’s ability to sustain its success seems to hinge on Kyle Lowry, who will turn 35 next season. He almost single-handedly willed Toronto to a seven-game series against Boston in the East semis.

Are the Raptors willing to spend big money to bring back Fred VanVleet and Serge Ibaka? Or is it more prudent for the Raptors to start building around a core of Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, and Norm Powell with the goal of using potential cap space to chase either Giannis Antetokounmpo or another big fish in the 2021 offseason?

Last year proved the Raptors don’t plan to take a big step back and they can certainly navigate any overhaul while still remaining competitive. But they need Siakam to be much better than he was this past postseason if he’s the focal point of the future.

"},{"title":"4. Miami Heat","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Butler_J_Adebayo_B_USATSI_13660223.jpg","credit":"USA TODAY Sports photo","published":1601992713,"caption":"

Is it fair that we’re slotting the Heat behind two teams they stomped on their path to the Finals? Probably not. But the Heat are in a curious position.

Pat Riley will have available cap space to utilize this offseason but, given the thin market, it might be better to pocket that cash in case Giannis Antetokounmpo shakes free in 2021. The Heat are still in a good spot assuming soon-to-be 31-year-old Jimmy Butler maintains his level of play alongside a young core of Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, and Kendrick Nunn.

But some key veterans will be free agents (Goran Dragic, Jae Crowder) and the Heat must decide how patient they will be in that pursuit of the next big fish, no easy task after getting a taste of the Finals. Maybe some one-year deals deliver a happy medium between staying competitive and staying in position to pounce.

"},{"title":"3. Brooklyn Nets","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Irving_K_Durant_K_GettyImages_1187276497.jpg","credit":"Getty Images","published":1601992716,"caption":"

There is no denying Brooklyn’s potential if Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving are anywhere close to their old All-Star selves. And yet it’s fair to wonder how quickly the Nets can put this thing together.

Can Durant shake rust while bouncing back from what’s often a career-altering injury? Can Irving stay healthy and happy? How does Steve Nash fare as a first-year coach with a small burden of expectations? And how do the Nets' younger players respond while shuffling to supporting roles?

There are simply a lot of question marks. Maybe they’ll be answered quickly and the Nets rocket up this list. But we’ll simply take a wait-and-see approach.

"},{"title":"2. Boston Celtics","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Tatum_J_Brown_J_GettyImages_1228605416_0.jpg","credit":"Getty Images","published":1601992718,"caption":"

Jayson Tatum’s vault alone positioned Boston as a bona fide contender for the foreseeable future, and Jaylen Brown’s leap gave Boston arguably the best young duo in the league (but certainly in the East). If Kemba Walker and Gordon Hayward can get healthy and -- more importantly -- stay healthy, then Boston has the most top-end talent in the conference.

Danny Ainge needs to improve the team on the margins in case health becomes an issue again (and isn’t it always with this team?) but expectations aren’t going down after three appearances in the East finals in four years.

"},{"title":"1. Milwaukee Bucks","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Antetokounmpo_Giannis_USATSI_14017461.jpg","credit":"USA TODAY Sports photo","published":1601992721,"caption":"

We can hear you sighing from across the interwebs. The Bucks haven’t exactly earned this spot after coming up short each of the past two seasons. But they’ll have something new on their roster next season: Desperation.

Milwaukee’s front office needs to put more talent alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo before he decides he wants to chase a title in warmer climes (or maybe colder climes if Toronto can muscle into the hunt). If that means paying an $85 million ransom for two years of Chris Paul, ownership might just need to grin and bear it.

It’s no longer good enough to dominate the regular season. The Bucks need to go all in this year or risk their two-time MVP Eurostepping out of town, all while Bucks fans cry in their Miller High Lifes.

"}]}

Power Ranking the NBA's Eastern Conference in 2021