NBA Summer Forecast 2026-27: Projections for East and West standings - ESPN

The NBA's Eastern Conference is hot right now, with the defending champion New York Knicks sitting atop a deep collection of improved teams.

LeBron James is back in the East, signing with the Philadelphia 76ers last month after eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers. Kawhi Leonard could return to the conference too, as his trade to the Toronto Raptors awaits the league's investigation into possible salary cap circumvention by the LA Clippers.

The Miami Heat added Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Detroit Pistons return much of the core that won 60 games last season. The Boston Celtics, Indiana Pacers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Atlanta Hawks and Orlando Magic all feel they deserve a place in the conference's upper tier.

While the East race might prove to be a gauntlet this upcoming season, the Western Conference is still home to the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs and Denver Nuggets — contenders who boast five of the past six MVPs and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Victor Wembanyama.

How will the races for home-court advantage, the play-in tournament and draft lottery positioning play out? ESPN's NBA insiders are projecting the full East and West standings for 2025-26. (Note: Summer Forecast continues Tuesday with predictions for 2027 conference and NBA Finals champions.)

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East standings | West standings
Big questions on the rookie class

The contenders

1. New York Knicks (53-29)
2. Detroit Pistons (53-29)
3. Cleveland Cavaliers (51-31)
4. Philadelphia 76ers (50-32)
5. Boston Celtics (48-34)

The strength of the conference is its top tier. That begins with the champion Knicks, who return every major contributor with the exception of center Mitchell Robinson. And each of our forecast's top four teams can make