Eastern Conference standings predictions: Detroit Pistons make the cut

The Detroit Pistons have seemingly improved on last season’s playoff appearance. Here’s how they stack up in my Eastern Conference standings predictions.

Here are my way too early Eastern conference standings predictions (I’m confident this will be completely thrown off by some huge, out of nowhere trades that happen between now and the start of the season). The top half of the East bolstered up this summer, let’s take a look at how the standings could shape up.

1. Milwaukee Bucks (Projected: 58-24)

Not only did they not get better, they got a little bit worse. Losing Malcolm Brogdon and Nikola Mirotic could really hurt them in the long run, especially in the playoffs. However, they still have the reigning MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo, on their team with a solid group of players around him. I predict they’ll be the best team in the East during the regular season yet, again.

2. Philadelphia 76ers (Projected: 55-27)

On paper, the Sixers got better. Bringing in Al Horford and Josh Richardson were great moves to counter losing Jimmy Butler. Bringing back Tobias Harris and locking in Ben Simmons for the long run seems like a good idea. Spacing could be a pretty big issue for this team come playoff time, but I see them being a great regular season team this year.

3. Indiana Pacers (Projected: 51-31)

The Pacers made some great additions, but also lost key guys. Darren Collison deciding to retire, while losing Thaddeus Young and Bojan Bogdanovic in free agency wasn’t a great sequence of events for the Pacers. Bringing in Malcom Brogdon and Jeremy Lamb, however, are great moves. The rest of it all depends on how Victor Oladipo comes back from injury. I could realistically see the Pacers ending up anywhere from 3 to 6.

4. Brooklyn Nets (Projected: 48- 34)

The Nets made a monster splash by bringing in Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and DeAndre Jordan. Don’t forget the addition of Taurean Prince along with Caris LeVert being healthy. Although they likely won’t have Durant this season, the Nets team will still be creeping up on 50 wins, and maybe even more if they gel right away.

5. Boston Celtics (Projected: 46-36)

The Celtics are a really interesting team to watch this year. They really took a step back this past season, and lost Irving, Marcus Morris and Horford in free agency. Bringing in Kemba Walker was about as good of a consolation prize as you can get, and Enes Kanter is a solid big to bring into the mix. If Gordon Hayward can get back on track, and the young wings take the steps forward they were supposed to last year, this could be a fun year for them.

6. Detroit Pistons (Projected: 45- 37)

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The Pistons have made some sneaky good, smart moves this summer with almost no flexibility. Replacing Ish Smith with Derrick Rose was a great move to add some scoring to the bench unit that lacked it last season. Tim Frazier coming in as injury insurance is a really nice move behind Reggie Jackson and Rose.

Markieff Morris and Christian Wood really bolster the front court depth, potentially allowing Blake Griffin some time to rest this season. Shipping off Jon Leuer and grabbing Tony Snell, a competent starting small forward who can play defense and hit three’s, is a great thing for a team who had no true small forwards to close last season.

The Pistons have the most wiggle room, up or down. A lot could go right, or a lot could go wrong. Jackson is coming off of his first healthy offseason in years, which if you ask Griffin and Rose, is a recipe for success.

I haven’t even mentioned the development of the young guys like Luke Kennard, Bruce Brown, Svi Mykhailiuk and Khyri Thomas, or the rookie Sekou Doumboya. (I’ll have more on that soon). This could get fun.

7. Toronto Raptors (Projected: 42-40)

The Raptors lose their one-man (or should I say one-cyborg) championship with Kawhi Leonard heading to the west coast. They brought back most of their key players and should have enough to sneak into the playoffs above the eight seed. Keep an eye on them as the deadline approaches with a potential Kyle Lowry or Marc Gasol move.

8. Miami Heat (Projected: 40-42)

The race for the eight seed is going to be tight, but ultimately I think the Heat take the spot. The Heat brought in Butler, but don’t have much else now. The Magic brought back everyone from last year, but really didn’t do anything to make their borderline playoff team better. I’m very intrigued by the young Hawks and Bulls. Both teams have compiled a real nice collection of young talent, and if either of them develop relatively quickly, they’ll be right there in the fight for the eight seed.

Just missed: Orlando Magic, Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls

I think that the Magic didn’t make any progress one way or another. They brought back all of their key guys that helped them make the playoffs last year, but I don’t think that’s enough to stay involved beyond mid-April.

The Hawks and the Bulls are my total wildcards. They’re both young, talented teams who will be competing for that last spot in the East. I wouldn’t be shocked if either of those teams were the surprise of the season.

How do you see the Eastern Conference shaping up this season? Let us know in the comments or by liking Piston Powered on Facebook and following us on Twitter @PistonPowered.