NBA Eastern Conference Wide Open After Major Injuries

The NBA’s Eastern Conference is wide open for the taking.

Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton ruptured his Achilles during Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, sidelining him for the entirety of next season. Earlier in the playoffs, Jayson Tatum tore his Achilles, making him ineligible to suit up for the Boston Celtics next year.

After battling to get back on the court all season, Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard tore his Achilles as well, leaving questions about the future of Giannis Antetokounmpo.

While the Pacers surprised basketball fans everywhere with an improbable run to the Finals in 2025, it’s hard to imagine a world where they can get back. The same could be said for the Celtics, last year’s NBA champion, who just traded Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers.

Let’s look at some teams that have clear paths to win the East next season. All odds are via FanDuel Sportsbook: 

Cleveland Cavaliers (+270)

Before worrying about competing for an NBA title, the Cavs have to figure out how to get out of the second round. They spent the entire regular season as the best team in the NBA but were eliminated in five less-than-competitive games against the Pacers in the semifinals.

But without Tatum and Haliburton, the Cavs’ path to finally find some playoff success is clearer than it has ever been before. And they realize that.

On Monday evening, rumors circulated that the Cavs offered All-Star point guard Darius Garland to the Phoenix Suns for Kevin Durant, who was traded on Sunday to the Houston Rockets.

The Cavs know they have to go for it. Despite not having much success when the lights are the brightest, they are the favorites to win the East.

New York Knicks (+300)

The team that could stand in Cleveland’s way is the Knicks, who were the darlings of last offseason but also fell victim to the red-hot Pacers in the postseason.

The Knicks added Mikal Bridges and then fleeced the Minnesota Timberwolves for Karl-Anthony Towns. While their fans will spend this offseason on Photoshop, putting Antetokounmpo into orange and blue, the organization will search for a new head coach after firing Tom Thibodeau.

New York’s core of Jalen Brunson, Bridges and Towns will have a prime opportunity to breeze through the Eastern Conference playoffs, especially after an entire season of playing together under their belts.

Orlando Magic (+420)

This is how weak the Eastern Conference is set to be next season.

The Magic were 41-41, good for the No. 7 seed last season. Now they have the third-best odds to win the East.

They added Desmond Bane in a huge trade with the Memphis Grizzlies, which will provide much-improved shooting and floor spacing. Bane will give Paolo Banchero some legitimate help, but it’s hard to envision a world where the Magic are better than the Cavs or the Knicks unless this pairing really clicks right away.

Detroit Pistons (+1500)

The Pistons have the same odds as the Pacers and longer odds than the Celtics (+550) and Philadelphia 76ers (+1100), who were the NBA’s biggest letdown this season.

Under J.B. Bickerstaff’s watch, the Pistons overachieved all season, even proving to be a pesky playoff opponent. If they can get Cade Cunningham some more proven help, the Pistons could be a fun, punchy wild-card team to make some noise in this weak conference.