The chess pieces have been moved, and the Philadelphia 76ers are the biggest mover in NBA Free Agency in 2024.
Joel Embiid has found an upgraded Jimmy Butler after Paul George signed a four-year, $212 million contract to return to the Eastern Conference for the first time since his last stint with the Indiana Pacers in 2017.
The team now has its own Big 3 in Embiid, PG, and Tyrese Maxey, who also signed a max contract after making the All-Star Game last season.
Before the big news for the Sixers, the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks also beefed up their rosters by resigning their star players and acquiring more firepower from their rivals.
Read more: Talented but Problematic Guard Signs With Clippers as They Try to Improve PG Depth
The Eastern Conference is getting more stacked. Does this mean the road to the NBA Finals got more complicated for defending champions Boston Celtics? Are they still the favorites?
The Celts have yet to make a significant move in the free agency, but they might not need one. They just need to get everyone healthy and ready for the title defense.
The last season indicates that nothing needs to be fixed. They topped the league in Win-Loss record after the regular season and lost just three times in their entire playoff run, even though they were without Kristaps Porzingis for most of the 19 playoff games they played.
Early Eastern Conference Power Rankings
Note: This ranking will only discuss teams that could make the playoffs and the play-in.
1. Boston Celtics
Nothing needs to be fixed on this team. They might even get better if KP gets healthy. The Denver Nuggets failed to defend their title, but only because the Minnesota Timberwolves created a team specifically meant to stop them. Based on the recent movements, no team is doing that yet.
However, the second team is a significant threat if it will be firepower versus firepower.
2. Philadelphia 76ers
If there is an Eastern Wolves for the Celtics' Nuggets, that would be the Sixers. They got the Embiid-PG-Maxey trio joined by Kelly Oubre, who signed an extension, and Eric Gordon, who signed for one year.
Returning Andre Drummond will fill the role of Al Horford. If Buddy Hield stays, they can have an eight-player deep roster.
3. New York Knicks
The Knicks' biggest move this season is getting Mikal Bridges to mix him with the Nova boys they already have. They also locked OG Anunoby.
If Mitchel Robison stays and Julius Randle plays at an All-Star level again, it would not be surprising if they upset any of the two teams above.
Teams that need to do more
4. Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks are silent in free agency. They probably have the best two players in the East and the top three players in the entire league. Will they be enough to propel them to a better finish?
It is hard to judge the team from last season since the lineup was ravaged by injuries. For now, they don't have enough firepower to compete with either the Sixers or the Celtics.
5. Indiana Pacers
Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam will return next season feeling more inspired after their Eastern Conference Finals appearance. However, they must make more significant signings to prove their last season's run was not a fluke.
6. Orlando Magic
The Magic surprised many people last season, and they can legitimately become a mainstay in the playoffs in the years to come. They improved their guard rotation through Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, but they need one more player to pair up with Paolo Banchero.
7. Miami Heat
Miami Heat's championship window with Jimmy Butler is closing in, and they are not doing anything about it. The following season is going to be harder for them.
8. Cleveland Cavaliers
If they enter the new season with a similar lineup as last time and a new coach, it will be hard to expect them to outdo themselves this season.
9. Atlanta Hawks and 10. Chicago Bulls
They might make play-in, but it would also not be surprising if they don't.
Related article: Sixers Complete Series of Important Moves Ahead of Paul George Signing
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