NBA Summer Forecast: 2014-15 Eastern Conference Standings

      With LeBron James returning home to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the balance of power has shifted dramatically in the Eastern Conference. The Cavs, who missed the playoffs in each of the four years James spent in Miami, will be the favorites to seize the East in the regular season--especially after acquiring Kevin Love in a blockbuster trade.
         The 25-year-old widely regarded as the NBA's top 'stretch four', Love is coming off a career-year, in which he averaged 26.1 points, 12.5 rebounds and 4.4 assists. Adding Love to a team already with Kyrie Irving and the best player in the NBA in James, the Cavs undoubtedly boast the most talented star trio in the league.

        Could a Central Division foe--specifically the Chicago Bulls--prevent the Cavs from landing the top spot in the conference? Will the Bulls' signing of Pau Gasol be enough to snatch the top-seed? 

        Don't forget about the Washington Wizards, who are now the favorites to win the Southeast--a division the Heat dominated the past four seasons. The Wizards signed future Hall of Famer Paul Pierce, who delivered in the clutch for the Brooklyn Nets in their first-round playoff series victory over the Toronto Raptors. The Wizards also bolstered their bench by adding DeJuan Blair and Kris Humphries via free agency. 

          You can't sleep on the Raptors, either, after the club retained all of its core players from last year's Atlantic Division-champion roster. 

            So, how will the East stack up 1-15 in the upcoming year? I forecast the 2014-2015 standings below. 

1.     Cleveland Cavaliers

Key additions: LeBron James, Kevin Love (Via 3-Way Trade with Timberwolves & 76ers), Mike Miller, Joe Harris (R), James Jones, Brendan Haywood, Shawn Marion

Subtractions: Spencer Hawes (Clippers), Luol Deng (Heat), C.J. Miles (Pacers), Jarrett Jack & Tyler Zeller (Via 3-Way Trade with Celtics & Nets), Anthony Bennett (Via 3-Way Trade with Timberwolves & 76ers) 

2.     Chicago Bulls 

 Key additions: Pau Gasol, Doug McDermott (R), Nikola Mirotic (R-Spain), Aaron Brooks, E'Twaun Moore

Subtractions: Carlos Boozer (Via Amnesty clause--signed with Lakers), D.J. Augustin (Pistons), Jimmer Fredette (Pelicans)

3.     Washington Wizards 

 Key additions: Paul Pierce, Kris Humphries, DeJuan Blair

Subtractions: Trevor Ariza (Rockets), Trevor Booker (Jazz)

4.     Toronto Raptors 

 Key additions: James Johnson, Bruno Caboclo (R), Lou Williams (Via Trade with Hawks)

Subtractions: John Salmons (Via Trade with Hawks), Steve Novak (Via Trade with Jazz)

5.     Miami Heat

 Key additions: Luol Deng, Danny Granger, Josh McRoberts, Shabazz Napier (R)

Subtractions: LeBron James (Cavaliers), James Jones (Cavaliers), Ray Allen

6.     Charlotte Hornets 

 Key additions: Lance Stephenson, Marvin Williams, P.J. Hairston (R), Brian Roberts

Subtractions: Josh McRoberts (Heat), Anthony Tolliver (Suns), Luke Ridnour (Magic), Brendan Haywood (Cavs)

7.     New York Knicks

 Key Additions: Jose Calderon, Shane Larkin & Samuel Dalembert (Via Trade with Mavs), Travis Outlaw & Quincy Acy (Via Trade with Kings), Jason Smith

Subtractions: Tyson Chandler & Raymond Felton (Via Trade with Mavs), Jeremy Tyler & Wayne Ellington (Via Trade with Kings)

8.     Atlanta Hawks 

 Key additions: Thabo Sefolosha, Kent Bazemore, Adreian Payne (R)

Subtractions: Lou Williams (Via Trade with Raptors), Cartier Martin (Pistons), Gustavo Ayon, Elton Brand

9.   Brooklyn Nets

 Key additions: Jarrett Jack (Via 3-Way Trade with Celtics & Cavs)

 Subtractions: Paul Pierce (Wizards), Shaun Livingston (Warriors), Andray Blatche, Marcus Thornton (Via 3-Way Trade with Celtics & Cavs) 

10.     Indiana Pacers

Key additions: C.J. Miles, Damjan Rudez (R- Europe), Rodney Stuckey

Subtractions: Lance Stephenson (Hornets), Evan Turner (Celtics)

*Paul George likely out for season after breaking leg during USA Basketball Showcase

11.   Detroit Pistons

 Key additions: Jodie Meeks, Cartier Martin, D.J. Augustin, Caron Butler

 Subtractions: Chauncey Billups, Rodney Stuckey (Pacers)

12.   Boston Celtics

 Key additions: Marcus Smart (R), James Young (R), Evan Turner, Marcus Thornton & Tyler Zeller (Via 3-Way Trade with Nets and Cavs)

 Subtractions: Kris Humphries (Wizards), Jerryd Bayless (Bucks)

13.   Milwaukee Bucks 

 Key additions: Jabari Parker (R), Jerryd Bayless, Kendall Marshall

 Subtractions: Jeff Adrien (Rockets), Ramon Sessions

14.   Orlando Magic

 Key additions: Aaron Gordon (R), Elfrid Payton (R), Luke Ridnour, Ben Gordon, Channing Frye, Evan Fournier (Via Trade with Nuggets)

Subtractions: Jameer Nelson (Mavs), Aaron Afflalo (Via Trade with Nuggets), E'Twaun Moore (Bulls)

15.   Philadelphia 76ers

 Key additions: Joel Embiid (R), Dario Saric (R), Luc Richard Mbah a Moute & Alexey Shved (Via 3-Way Trade with Cavs and Timberwolves)

 Subtractions: Thaddeus Young (Via 3-Way Trade with Cavs and Timberwolves)

NBA Player Rank 2014: Nos. 40-31

40.       Klay Thompson (SG) - Golden State Warriors

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 18.4

REB 3.1

ASST 2.2

FG% 44.4

The off-guard in Golden State's "Splash Brothers" duo, Thompson helps form the NBA's premier backcourt with teammate Stephen Curry. Thompson knocked down 223 three-pointers in 2014, a career-high from behind the arc. The third-year guard registered career-bests in points per game and field goal (44.4) and three-point percentage (41.7). One of the league's top shooters, Thompson is also a steadily improving wing defender, a major reason the Warriors refuse to deal the guard in a package deal for Minnesota forward Kevin Love.

39.       Kemba Walker (PG) - Charlotte Bobcats

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 17.7

REB 4.2

ASST 6.1

FG% 39.3

Proclaimed a "bust" in his rookie season (2012) by basketball pundits, Walker has improved his game tremendously in each of his past two seasons. Walker's scoring ballooned from 2012 (12.1) to 2013 (17.7), though the Charlotte Bobcats (now Hornets) remained a bottom dweller in the Eastern Conference in both seasons. Emerging as the leader of the club in 2014, Walker led the franchise to its first postseason appearance since 2010.

38.       Kawhi Leonard (SF) - San Antonio Spurs

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 12.8

REB 6.2

ASST 2.0

FG% 52.2

Leonard's prowess as a defender lands him a spot in the top-40. Though, it should be noted that the third-year forward trailed only LeBron James in shooting percentage among NBA small forwards.

37.       Lance Stephenson (SG) - Indiana Pacers

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 13.8

REB 7.2

ASST 4.6

FG% 49.1

Stephenson finished second in the voting for Most Improved Player in 2014, with the league taking notice of his strides on both sides of the ball. A surefire hot commodity in the upcoming free agency, Stephenson has shown flashes of being an elite player. The fourth-year guard will likely command upwards of $10 million on the open market this offseason. 

36.       Zach Randolph (PF) - Memphis Grizzlies

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 17.4

REB 10.1

ASST 2.5

FG% 46.7

Randolph averaged a double-double for the fourth time in five seasons as a member of the Memphis Grizzlies. His 47 double-doubles were tied for fourth-most among all NBA players in 2014. With center Marc Gasol injured for 23 games this season, Randolph shouldered the load on the inside, helping the Grizzlies capture a playoff birth for the fourth consecutive year.

35.       Ty Lawson (PG) - Denver Nuggets

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 17.6

REB 3.5

ASST 8.8

FG% 43.1

One of the NBA's most under-appreciated players, Lawson finished in a second-place tie for assists per contest in 2014. Along with forward Kenneth Faried, Lawson is part of the nucleus for the rebuilding Nuggets. 

34.       Pau Gasol (PF/C) - Los Angeles Lakers

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 17.4

REB 9.7

ASST 3.4

FG% 48.0

Amid the Lakers' turmoil, Gasol quietly had another strong season in Los Angeles. The free-agent-to-be ranked 11th in NBA defensive efficiency and his nightly offensive output will make him one of the most attractive big man options on the market this offseason. 

33.       Mike Conley (PG) - Memphis Grizzlies

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 17.2

REB 2.9

ASST 6.0

FG% 45.0

The unheralded point guard lifted his scoring totals by nearly three points per contest in 2014. A key defensive cog in the Grizzlies' stifling defense, Conley spearheaded a near-upset over the heavily favored Thunder in the first-round of the Western Conference playoffs. 

32.       Monta Ellis (SG) - Dallas Mavericks

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 19.0

REB 3.6

ASST 5.7

FG% 45.1

Ellis proved his doubters wrong with a career year in his inaugural season in Dallas. The 28-year-old guard provided Dirk Nowitzki with his most prolific sidekick since the glory days of Jason Terry. Ellis led the NBA in drives to the basket (and points on drives). He also led the Mavs in scoring (20.4) in their seven-game series against the Spurs.


31.       Marc Gasol (C) - Memphis Grizzlies

2013-14 SEASON

PPG 14.6

REB 7.2

ASST 3.6

FG% 47.3

The Grizzlies went just 9-14 in the absence of Gasol,the 2013 defensive player of the year. With Gasol in the lineup, however, the Grizzlies posted a terrific 41-18 record. The driving force behind the Grizzlies' resurgence, Gasol solidified the team's daunting frontcourt, ranking 19th in defensive player efficiency. 


*To be eligible for NBA Player Rank, players must appear in at least 40 games in 2013-2014 season.