Even though the NBA off-season is firmly in its dog days, class will soon be back in session.
Training camp is weeks away rather than months, nearing the point when fans across the league begin getting answers to questions that have lingered all summer about rosters that look all-too-familiar despite middling results or groups that have undergone drastic overhauls — specifically out East, where superstars have shuffled around like cards at the lunch table.
Although we won't know what ultimately comes from another off-season of wheeling and dealing until action tips off on Oct. 20, that shouldn't stop fans from assessing the landscape to extrapolate what to expect. Preparation often begins long before test scores start to count, after all. So it's only fair to try to evaluate how teams have readied themselves for the 2026-27 season.
Marks have already been handed out for the squads out West, so it's time to tackle the East, with off-season grades for all 15 teams in the conference.
(Teams are listed alphabetically)
Atlanta Hawks
Key arrivals: Luguentz Dort, F; Aaron Wiggins, G; Ryan Nembhard, G; Devin Carter, G; Kingston Flemings, (rookie), G
Key departures: Zaccharie Risacher, F
Grade: B+
Atlanta was — somewhat surprisingly — one of the busier teams in the East this off-season, most notably taking advantage of Oklahoma City's cap crunch by trading for Dort and Wiggins. Neither trade cost all that much (depending on your thoughts about Risacher), and both players fit the identity of the up-and-coming squad, which is building around rising two-way players like Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
Dort and Wiggins are proven defenders and will surely help the three-point-focused offence for a team that already ranked top 10 from beyond the arc last season. Meanwhile, with uncertainty as far as floor general-ship goes, bringing in young point guards in Flemings, Carter and Nembhard to see who could blossom into NBA-level talent was more sound work by president of basketball ops Onsi Saleh.
Boston Celtics
Key arrivals: Paul George, F; Mitchell Robinson, C; Mike Conley, G
Key departures: Jaylen Brown, G; Nikola Vucevic, C
Grade: D
It's hard to justify trading away an all-NBA player in his prime for any reason, but even more so when it was done for pennies on the dollar. Signing Robinson away from the champion Knicks while bringing back Neemias Queta was nice work to bolster Boston's centre rotation, but there's no looking past swapping Brown for George and a couple of firsts.
Even if there's reason to believe the Celtics could remain in the playoff mix out East, relying on a 36-year-old who's played 78 games over the last two regular seasons — and is making only marginally less than Brown over the next two years — to be Jayson Tatum's running mate feels like a step in the wrong direction for a franchise that's meant to be focused on dynasties, not dollars.
Brooklyn Nets
Key arrivals: Julius Randle, F; Keon Ellis, G; Moritz Wagner, C; Mikel Brown Jr. (rookie), G
Key departures: Nic Claxton, C; Ziaire Williams, F
Grade: B
It appears the Nets are ready to compete again. Or, at the very least, avoid the newly implemented relegation zone that penalizes the three worst records in the NBA — Brooklyn would've been in that group last season after finishing 20-62.
Randle, Ellis and Wagner may not raise the Nets' ceiling by a meaningful margin, but the vets will presumably inch the floor toward respectability. Randle, specifically, is coming off a bounce-back season, averaging 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.1 steals. And while dealing away Claxton in the Randle trade wasn't nothing, it's opened the door for 24-year-old Day'Ron Sharpe — after re-signing with Brooklyn on a two-year deal — to walk into a bigger role.
Charlotte Hornets
Key arrivals: Naz Reid, C; Grayson Allen, G; Dorian Finney-Smith, F; Royce O'Neale, F; Hannes Steinbach (rookie), F; Christian Anderson (rookie), G
Key departures: LaMelo Ball, G; Miles Bridges, F; Josh Green, G
Grade: B-
After totalling their most wins in a decade and boasting the league's No. 5 offence, it was a bold pivot for the Hornets to move away from the engine of that squad. Trying to replace Ball and Bridges (both top five in usage for the Hornets last year) in the aggregate, seemingly to promote a more egalitarian style, is certainly a gamble, but it's also a bet on leaps from Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel and the recently re-signed Coby White.
Time will tell on that front, but at the very least, the moves brought in even more shooting, which we know Charles Lee-led teams love.
Chicago Bulls
Key arrivals: Norman Powell, G; Nic Claxton, C; Caleb Wilson (rookie), F; Dailyn Swain (rookie), F
Key departures: Collin Sexton, G; Anfernee Simons, G
Grade: B+
It was a somewhat understated first off-season for new executive VP of basketball ops Bryson Graham, but a solid one nonetheless. Bringing in a pair of veterans to be the adults in a room full of youngsters — 13 of 16 rostered players are 26 or younger — namely Powell, who also brings a championship pedigree, is certainly a step in the right direction for a Bulls team that's still shaping its identity.
On the other end of the age spectrum, the Bulls did well drafting a pair of highly touted rookies in the first round who present plenty of athletic tools to build around. Fourth-overall pick Wilson out of UNC has already turned plenty of heads during Summer League with gaudy stat lines and highlight-reel posters.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Key arrivals: Mario Hezonja, F
Key departures: Keon Ellis, G; Dean Wade, F; Larry Nance Jr., F
Grade: C-
The Cavaliers had some real momentum early in the off-season by inking Donovan Mitchell to a four-year extension on the heels of their first Conference Finals appearance since 2018. But it fizzled out after failing to land LeBron James for a third and seemingly final stint with his hometown team, or to address the losses of rotation pieces in Ellis and Wade.
Bringing in Hezonja for his age-31 campaign — after he left the NBA in 2020 following five seasons, to compete overseas — is an interesting swing, but it feels like a single or double at best, when Cleveland was clearly trying to hit a home run to get over the hump.
Meanwhile, James Harden remains unsigned after declining a $42-million player option, seemingly to work out a new deal that benefits both sides. But that was nearly two months ago, so are they just ironing out the details, or is the star guard yet again thinking about jumping ship to another team after not liking what he sees?
Detroit Pistons
Key arrivals: John Collins, F; Isaiah Joe, F; Taurean Prince, F; Gary Harris, G; Karim Lopez (rookie), F; Ebuka Okorie (rookie), G
Key departures: Tobias Harris, F; Isaiah Stewart, C; Caris LeVert, G; Marcus Sasser, G
TBD: Jalen Duren, F
Grade: C
Unlike the Cavaliers, the Pistons have been active this off-season, but not enough to believe in a meaningful step forward — especially to keep up with the arms race in the East.
Last year's No. 1 seed did well to bring in Collins via sign-and-trade and acquire some much-needed shooting in Joe from OKC, but those seem like lateral moves after losing Harris, Stewart and LeVert in the process. The trio of vets were rotation regulars last season, so it breaks down like a swap more than an upgrade, barring surprising leaps from Collins or Joe, who are already in their prime years.
It was clear the Pistons had obvious needs to address after falling flat in the post-season, and while they checked some of those boxes, others may have been unticked along the way. Not to mention, Detroit still hasn't inked Duren (RFA) to a new deal after his all-NBA season ended on a sour note thanks to a lacklustre playoffs.
Indiana Pacers
Key arrivals: Kelly Oubre Jr., G; Larry Nance Jr., F
Key departures: Kam Jones, G; Micah Potter, C
Grade: C
While bringing in Oubre and Nance as veteran options along the wing were solid additions, make no mistake: the Pacers' big off-season "acquisition" will be the return of a healthy Tyrese Haliburton.
After posting the second-worst record in the NBA last season, but losing their first-round pick thanks to a trade for Ivica Zubac and some draft lottery misfortune, a lot is hinging on the star guard making the pieces fit together as he did during Indiana's run to the Finals two seasons ago. If Haliburton returns to all-NBA form and builds some early chemistry with Zubac and Siakam, the Pacers could swiftly leave the Eastern Conference cellar in their rearview.
Key arrivals: Giannis Antetokounmpo, F; Tim Hardaway Jr., G; Bobby Portis, F
Key departures: Tyler Herro, G; Jaime Jaquez Jr., F; Norman Powell, G; Kel'el Ware, C; Kasparas Jakucionis, G
Grade: A-
There are certainly questions surrounding the new-look Miami Heat, but Pat Riley's relentless pursuit of landing another big fish has paid off. With all due respect to Jimmy Butler, acquiring Antetokounmpo is the franchise's biggest move since signing James more than a decade ago.
It may have cost most of the Heat's depth to make it happen, but the ceiling of the on-court product is undeniably higher. Retaining Wiggins was nice business as well, especially while losing Powell to free agency.
All in all, the Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo-led Heat should be one of the better defensive units in the NBA and ought to take a major leap up from last season's 10th-seeded showing.
Milwaukee Bucks
Key arrivals: Tyler Herro, G; Jaime Jaquez Jr., F; Caris LeVert, G; Kel'el Ware, C; Kasparas Jakucionis, G; Brayden Burries (rookie), G; Nate Ament (rookie), F
Key departures: Giannis Antetokounmpo, F; Bobby Portis, F; Gary Harris, G; Taurean Prince, F
Grade: C+
After finally bidding farewell to their long-time franchise player, the Bucks fetched a "haul," but not one that pushes them fully in either direction — at least, not in a meaningful way.
Even with the multiple picks acquired from Miami for Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee still doesn't own or control any of its firsts until 2031 thanks to the many last-ditch efforts to try and keep the star forward around as long as possible, which means bottoming out won't do the Bucks much good.
But the motley crew put together post-Antetokounmpo doesn't exactly project to make much noise in a reloaded East, either. So where do the Bucks go from here?
New York Knicks
Key arrivals: Andre Drummond, C
Key departures: Mitchell Robinson, C; Ariel Hukporti, C; Jeremy Sochan, F
Grade: B-
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
Although owner James Dolan made it clear the Knicks wouldn't be venturing into second-apron territory, the defending champs made sure to retain a handful of their rotational guards in Jose Alvarado, Jordan Clarkson and Landry Shamet.
Still, losing a young backup big in Hukporti and downgrading from Robinson to Drummond — albeit on a much cheaper minimum contract than Robinson's $15.8-million AAV — will put an increased burden on Karl-Anthony Towns in the frontcourt, which could prove challenging over a full season. Either way, the Knicks core around Jalen Brunson remains firmly intact for what should be a competitive championship-defence campaign, which'll start with a bang against the revamped 76ers.
Orlando Magic
Key arrivals: Nikola Vucevic, C
Key departures: Moritz Wagner, C
Grade: C
It's been a quieter off-season in Orlando after making plenty of buzz last summer by acquiring Desmond Bane in exchange for a whopping four unprotected first-round picks and a pick swap. After that move — along with poor health for the wing duo of Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner — coincided with a year-over-year drop in the standings, it's unsurprising that the Magic would want to take some time to assess the situation.
Aside from retaining Jevon Carter and Jonathan Isaac, Orlando did well to reunite with Vucevic, once an all-star for the team. Even at 34 with dwindling production, it's a solid addition to the centre rotation. At the very least, Vucevic has proven he can be available much more frequently than Wagner was over the last couple of seasons.
Key arrivals: Jaylen Brown, G; LeBron James, F; Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, G; Anfernee Simons, G; Dean Wade, F; Ariel Hukporti, C; Labaron Philon Jr. (rookie), G
Key departures: Paul George, F; Quentin Grimes, G; Kelly Oubre Jr., F; Andre Drummond, C
Grade: A+
No need to overthink this. Philly was already having a solid off-season by adding Wade and Simons early in the summer, but lapped the field by trading for Brown and then signing James.
Adding an all-NBA talent in his prime and also one of the greatest players of all time, who's motivated to chase one more title before calling it quits, are decisions that are hard to knock, no matter how you look at it. Even more so when neither cost all that much.
The 76ers went from a team perpetually hinging on Joel Embiid's health to one that may even view the former MVP's status as a luxury this upcoming season, thanks to the overhaul. Take a bow, Mike Gansey. The first-year president of basketball operations in Philadelphia has made quite the early impression.
Toronto Raptors
(pending reported Kawhi Leonard trade)
Key arrivals: *Kawhi Leonard, F; Kyle Anderson, F; Allen Graves (rookie), F
Key departures: Brandon Ingram, F; Gradey Dick, G; Sandro Mamukelashvili, F
Grade: A-
Similar to the Heat landing Antetokounmpo, the Raptors' decision to go after Leonard made the most sense given the landscape and the team's internal desire to push forward, but also involved some clear risks, which fans know all too well as we continue to wait for the NBA to conclude its investigation into Leonard and the Clippers for alleged cap circumvention.
Still, it was also arguably the only way for Toronto to land a player of Leonard's talent, especially on the heels of one of his healthiest and most productive seasons.
If the move goes through as planned, Leonard's skills should pair exceptionally well next to Barnes on both ends of the floor and put the Raptors into that upper tier of the East. The two-time champ is an upgrade on Ingram in just about every area, while Leonard, along with Anderson and Graves, should do plenty to bolster an already top-five defensive unit.
Washington Wizards
Key arrivals: AJ Dybantsa (rookie), F; Deandre Ayton, C; Khris Middleton, F
Key departures: D'Angelo Russell, G
Grade: B+
Lucking into the No. 1 pick and taking Dybantsa out of BYU was a strong start to the off-season for the Wizards, but it's been pretty tame otherwise. Adding a pair of vets in Ayton and Middleton to shepherd the youngsters — while also contributing on the court — was a tidy bit of business, especially after acquiring Trae Young and Anthony Davis mid-season, and speaks to the direction Washington is heading in.
After years of strutting out teams full of relative no-names and finishing with a bottom-three record in each of the last three seasons, the 2026-27 roster will have some recognizable faces and floor-raising talent worth keeping an eye on. If the Young and Davis-led squad (with the star forward and Washington still discussing a possible extension) can successfully thread the needle with its vets and rising prospects, the Wizards may even find themselves back in the post-season for the first time since 2021.
