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1 question for each team in the East heading into the offseason

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As most of the basketball world's attention turns to the NBA Finals matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat, 28 front offices are preparing for the upcoming offseason.

Putting aside the Heat for now, here are the key questions facing each Eastern Conference team in the coming weeks and months.

Atlanta Hawks

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Q: Will the Hawks let their youth movement take its course?

The Hawks are in good shape for now with Trae Young and John Collins, but their defense was one of the league's worst this season. Can the club's core improve defensively on their own, at the risk of a few more losing seasons? Or does Atlanta need to add a lockdown defender to be taken seriously?

Boston Celtics

Q: Should the Celtics do anything other than run it back?

Boston has amassed a 205-113 (.645) record over the past four seasons, producing three conference finals appearances but no runs to the NBA Finals.

General manager Danny Ainge hasn't hesitated to shuffle his cards, moving on from All-Star talents like Isaiah Thomas, Kyrie Irving, and Al Horford in pursuit of the team's 18th title. Could a similar move - one, for instance, centered around Gordon Hayward - be in the works?

Brooklyn Nets

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Q: Will free agents take pay cuts to fill out the Nets' bench?

With both Kevin Durant and Irving coming off seasons marred or lost entirely to injuries, plus first-time head coach Steve Nash learning the ropes, there's some uncertainty surrounding the 2020-21 Nets. There's also obvious upside. Will veteran free agents sign cheap deals to chase a ring in Brooklyn?

Charlotte Hornets

Q: What will the Hornets do with the No. 3 pick?

By many accounts, three prospects sit far above the rest ahead of the 2020 draft. Charlotte will presumably end up with whoever is left among Georgia shooting guard Anthony Edwards, Memphis center James Wiseman, and LaMelo Ball, who played with the Illawarra Hawks in Australia this past campaign.

The Hornets could also move the pick, but their current roster isn't exactly overflowing with talent.

Chicago Bulls

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Q: Who are the Bulls building around?

Chicago revamped its front office with the introductions of Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley, and now the franchise will turn its attention to the on-court product. But can the Bulls compete with Zach LaVine and Otto Porter Jr. leading a group of youngsters? Or will finding their franchise star take a trade or some savvy drafting?

Cleveland Cavaliers

Q: Could we be in for a surprise Kevin Love blockbuster?

Cleveland's post-LeBron youth movement is in full swing with Darius Garland and Collin Sexton locked into the backcourt, and Tristan Thompson entering free agency. However, one relic of their championship era remains: Love.

Rumors of the Cavaliers exploring a trade for the power forward seem to surface annually, but maybe this offseason is when the stars finally align.

Detroit Pistons

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Q: What should the Pistons do with Blake Griffin?

After seemingly taking the first steps toward a rebuild this season, the Pistons still need to figure out what to do with the 31-year-old Griffin and the approximately $75 million left on his contract. He doesn't gel with their new timeline to compete, and while no contract is truly untradeable, his injury history makes a move exceedingly difficult.

Indiana Pacers

Q: Will the Pacers look to cut salary?

Indiana fell in the first round for the fifth straight year, costing head coach Nate McMillan his job. The team is now at somewhat of a crossroads.

The Pacers' cap sheet ranks seventh in terms of salary commitments for 2020-21, with $124.6 million already set aside for just 12 players. If the team looks to shed salary, there's no shortage of well-compensated veterans on the roster who could draw interest on the trade market.

PLAYER 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24
Oladipo $21M
Brogdon $20M $20.7M $21.7M
Sabonis $19.8M $19.8M $19.8M $20.7M
Turner $18M $18M $18M
Warren $12M $12.9M
Lamb $10.5M $10.5M
McDermott $7.3M

Milwaukee Bucks

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Q: What approach will the Bucks take to make Giannis Antetokounmpo happy?

The clock is officially ticking in Milwaukee with Antetokounmpo entering the final season of his contract. The Bucks have reportedly ruled out trading him, meaning all eyes are on how they supplement their roster for a championship run. Eric Bledsoe is reportedly on the trading block to pursue, but Chris Paul is an unlikely target for Milwaukee.

New York Knicks

Q: Will the Knicks actually get the shooting they so badly need?

RJ Barrett, who was a 30.8% 3-point shooter at Duke, endured a rough rookie year, largely because the Knicks didn't surround their potential cornerstone with any floor-spacers. Will New York join the 21st century and add some perimeter scoring threats? Making a serious run at a free agent like Fred VanVleet, Joe Harris, or Davis Bertans would be wise.

Orlando Magic

Q: With Jonathan Isaac out, will the Magic punt on 2020-21?

Similar to the Pacers, the Magic must ask themselves whether it makes sense to sell off some talent, especially with possible extensions for Isaac, Markelle Fultz, and Mo Bamba on the horizon.

Evan Fournier, who has just one year left on his deal and is coming off a career-best 18.5 points per game, should be in demand as a short-term rental.

PLAYER 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23
Vucevic $26M $24M $22M
Gordon $18.1M $16.4M
Fournier $17.2M
Ross $13.5M $12.M $11.5M
Aminu $9.7M $10.2M

Philadelphia 76ers

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Q: What does a Doc Rivers-led 76ers squad look like?

Rivers reportedly agreed to become Philadelphia's next head coach Thursday, meaning there could be alterations coming to the 76ers' playing style - and potentially its roster makeup, too. How will Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid handle the change - assuming they're still there next season - considering Brett Brown is the only NBA head coach they've known?

Toronto Raptors

Q: How much is too much to keep Fred VanVleet?

Masai Ujiri candidly referred to re-signing VanVleet as a "big-time priority," but there may be financial complications if the Knicks and Pistons pursue him, as both teams need a ball-handler and possess more cap space. Serge Ibaka's impending free agency adds another concern, as Toronto's priority appears to be maintaining enough cap space to add a max contract in 2021.

Washington Wizards

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Q: Are the Wizards' offseason plans based on the presumption that Bradley Beal sticks around?

Due to the timing of his extension, the Wizards couldn't trade Beal until the end of the 2019-20 season, and he wasn't able to demand a move. That restriction will soon be lifted, and the 27-year-old shooting guard could become the focal point of the next blockbuster.

Or not. In any case, the Wizards' moves this offseason could say a lot about whether the front office believes Beal will remain in Washington through 2023, which is the end of his current deal.

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