NBA offseason grades: Eastern Conference

With two weeks to go until the 2025-26 NBA season kicks off, rosters are more or less set for the 30 teams after a busy offseason of draft picks, free-agency signings, and trades.

Here's a look at how each of the 15 organizations in the Eastern Conference fared this summer, taking into account motivations, resources, and both short-term and long-term planning.

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ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE | DET | IND | MIA | MIL | NYK | ORL | PHI | TOR | WAS

Atlanta Hawks: A

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Atlanta general manager Onsi Saleh was very productive during his first offseason in charge. The Hawks beefed up their 3-point shooting with the additions of Porzingis, Kennard, and Alexander-Walker. Porzingis could form a dynamic pick-and-roll tandem with Trae Young, and his interior presence should help a unit that finished tied for 21st in points in the paint allowed. This year's roster is similarly deep to the Atlanta squad that reached the 2021 East final.

But Saleh's biggest move might've been trading down 10 spots in this year's draft to acquire the Pelicans' 2026 first-rounder. The Hawks still managed to land a promising prospect in Newell and could add a lottery pick to their young core if things continue to go south in New Orleans.

Boston Celtics: C

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Boston shed significant salary, moving on from key starters Holiday and Porzingis to get under the second apron. In doing so, the C's will likely take a step back, especially with Jayson Tatum not guaranteed to return from a ruptured Achilles this season. Simons will have a significant offensive role in Tatum's absence and should have plenty of motivation heading into a contract year.

The Celtics' frontcourt depth will be tested with Horford and Kornet both gone in free agency. Boucher could be a good fit in the Celtics' heavy 3-point attack, but Garza hasn't been able to earn consistent minutes at the NBA level during his four-year career. Is Neemias Queta ready to start at the five?

Brooklyn Nets: B-

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Brooklyn had the financial wiggle room and five first-round picks to make a big play but instead leaned on the draft and a savvy trade acquisition. The Nets raised eyebrows by using three of the picks to select Demin, Traore, and Saraf, a trio of international ball-handlers with a lot of similarities. If one of them reaches their potential, however, the Nets have their point guard of the future.

Johnson was shipped to Denver for Porter and a valuable unprotected first-round pick in 2032, and Porter is likely to generate interest at the deadline from a team desperate for a perimeter threat. Cam Thomas' one-year, $6-million agreement is also a low-risk pact for a player with much to prove.

Charlotte Hornets: B

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Only four Hornets played over 60 games last season, and one of them (Curry) isn't returning, so credit to the front office for seemingly prioritizing a deep rotation this summer. Their four draft selections are all capable of contributing as rookies, but fourth overall pick Knueppel's outside shooting also makes him a sublime long-term fit alongside LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller considering the Hornets were third from the bottom in 3-point percentage (33.9%) last season.

The low-cost additions of veteran guards like Sexton and Dinwiddie also provide insurance behind Ball, who's played 35 games on average over the last three seasons due to various injuries. After years of being a laughingstock in the East, the foundations of a long-term plan are finally taking shape in Charlotte.

Chicago Bulls: D+

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Chicago last placed better than sixth in the East in 2014-15. In the decade since, the Bulls have a total of three playoff wins. They've made (and failed to advance from) three straight play-in tournaments. Such persistent mediocrity would have provoked some transformational urgency from nearly all 29 other franchises years ago. The Bulls, however, continue to ask for patience.

The summer did have some positives. Josh Giddey's (very delayed) $100-million deal was the right call after he nearly averaged a 21-point triple-double with 45.7% 3-point shooting in 19 games after the All-Star break. But Giddey alone cannot restore the Bulls to relevance. Nor can Okoro, their only addition to the rotation with NBA experience. No. 12 pick Essengue has intriguing potential, but the forward is far from a finished product. And 34-year-old Nikola Vucevic somehow remains a Bull despite entering a contract year.

Cleveland Cavaliers: B

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On paper, Ball's arrival might not seem to move the needle much for a regular-season flat-track bully looking to overcome a disappointing second-round playoff exit. But dig a bit deeper and Ball, who joins his fourth team in an eight-season career blighted by injuries, could be exactly what the Cavaliers need.

Cleveland let breakout guard Jerome walk in free agency to avoid a costly tax bill, prompting the decision to add Ball in his stead. Barring another injury, Ball is a more versatile off-the-bench presence than Jerome. He provides better playmaking, rebounding, and defense and can plug a few holes positionally. Ball's assets - again, barring injury - could make the Cavaliers a more functional postseason threat.

Detroit Pistons: C+

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The Pistons have the luxury of a young core that's emerging on a similar trajectory. While the organization could have made a bigger splash in free agency or the trade market, it's opted to see if the likes of Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren, Ausar Thompson, and Ron Holland II can take leaps consistent with the one All-NBA third-team selection Cade Cunningham made in 2024-25.

Key contributors Schroder and Hardaway are gone, and free agent Beasley's situation is murky amid a gambling investigation, meaning the Pistons will lean heavily on that aforementioned young group. The addition of LeVert should help with secondary playmaking alongside Cunningham, and Robinson will provide shooting off the bench on a team-friendly deal.

Indiana Pacers: F

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Pacers owner Herb Simon's resolute refusal to flirt with tax penalties got a boost when franchise cornerstone Tyrese Haliburton tore his Achilles in the NBA Finals, rendering the 2025-26 campaign a lost cause. This conveniently coincided with Turner's free agency, and Simon & Co. permitted the center to walk for nothing - to a division rival, no less.

The Bucks shelled out a four-year, $107-million contract for Turner amid reports that the Pacers' top offer was $22 million annually, which is a laughable lowball for one of the league's premier floor-spacing rim-protectors. And it's not like Indiana couldn't have trimmed wages elsewhere by shipping out a Bennedict Mathurin or Obi Toppin. Ah well, surely Huff will fix everything.

Miami Heat: B

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Miami didn't have the splashiest offseason, but acquiring Powell from the Clippers in a three-team trade was one of the best moves of the summer. The veteran guard didn't cost much and should inject some life into the Heat's 21st-ranked offense, especially with Tyler Herro sidelined to start the campaign. Powell gives Miami a shot-creator to help in half-court sets, a movement shooter to replace Robinson, and an aggressive slasher.

Bringing back Davion Mitchell on a team-friendly deal was another smart decision after his strong finish to last season. Meanwhile, Jakucionis was widely projected as a lottery selection. The Illinois product's ball-handling and playmaking ability could make him the Heat's long-term solution at the point.

Milwaukee Bucks: B-

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The Bucks shocked everyone when they signed Turner, replacing Lopez with someone nine years his junior while simultaneously dealing a huge blow to the rival Pacers. However, they waived and stretched Lillard to do it, and the $22.5 million per season they owe him over the next five years will severely restrict their financial flexibility. Considering there was no guarantee Lillard would return from his Achilles tear the same player, it's easy to rationalize the gamble.

But the rest of the roster - aside from two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo - doesn't inspire the same confidence. There's no clear starting point guard, though newcomer Anthony is arguably the best option. They'll also run it back with starting wing Kyle Kuzma, who needs to redeem himself in Bucks fans' eyes after his disastrous series against Indiana. Not having a draft pick didn't help either.

New York Knicks: B+

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The Knicks' biggest offseason move was dismissing Tom Thibodeau following their first East finals run in 25 years. It's a risk to turn the page on the franchise's most successful head coach in recent memory. New York's brass is hoping his successor, Mike Brown, can get more offense from the roster. The Kings set a then-NBA record for offensive efficiency during Brown's first campaign in charge.

New York also locked in its core for the coming years, inking Mikal Bridges to a four-year, $150-million contract extension ($6 million less than the max deal he was eligible for). The Knicks did a reasonable job of rounding out their roster despite limited financial flexibility and no pick in the draft, adding veterans Clarkson, Yabusele, and Brogdon.

Orlando Magic: A

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Despite rostering a gluttony of guards over the last few seasons, the Magic's 3-point percentage hasn't ranked in the top half of the league since 2018-19. That's why their pricey trade for Bane - consisting of four first-rounders and the right to swap another, plus Anthony and Caldwell-Pope - should be applauded.

Not only did they acquire one of the league's best long-range shooters (a 26-year-old entering his prime and under contract for another four seasons, at that), they helped balance their guard rotation by dealing from a surplus. And they're still equipped with enough facilitators thanks to their under-the-radar addition of Jones. The Magic are betting that their core is ready to contend for conference supremacy. They might be right.

Philadelphia 76ers: C

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Philadelphia is hoping it won't take long to erase the nightmare that was last season. With Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain now joined by No. 3 pick Edgecombe, the 76ers suddenly find themselves with one of the best 25-and-under guard rotations in the NBA. And that's before factoring in last year's breakout wing, Quentin Grimes, who will return for an encore after signing his qualifying offer.

However, Joel Embiid's problematic left knee remains a massive issue; nothing from the early days of camp has indicated that he's back to 100%. And if he stands a real chance of missing substantial time again, the 76ers will rue not adding another veteran big to their already thin frontcourt.

Toronto Raptors: C

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The Raptors are betting on internal improvements to get them to the playoffs this season. Toronto did its major legwork well before the summer, acquiring Brandon Ingram from the New Orleans Pelicans at the trade deadline. The former No. 2 overall pick never suited up for Toronto due to an ankle sprain, but the team will rely on him to elevate their offense after signing him to a three-year, $120-million contract extension.

The club also locked up starting center Jakob Poeltl on a four-year, $104-million deal that runs through 2029-30. He brings immense value on both ends of the floor as a screen-setter, pick-and-roll scorer, and interior defender. Murray-Boyles' defensive versatility should make an immediate impact, but he's another player on the Raptors' roster who doesn't space the floor, which has been a glaring problem for the last few years.

Washington Wizards: B+

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Given the opportunity to jettison the remaining two years and $66 million on Poole's contract, the Wizards obliged, with McCollum and his expiring deal heading the other way. That move plus flipping Kelly Olynyk shaved $30 million off the books, giving the Wizards more than $100 million to play with next summer. Washington replaced Poole with another heat-check merchant in Whitmore, whose low-risk $3.5-million cap hit is a no-brainer for a high-ceiling player.

The Wizards also landed a trio of compelling picks in the draft, chief among them former Texas standout Johnson at No. 6. He's an elite scoring threat who should complement a young core that includes Alex Sarr and Bilal Coulibaly.