Four Eastern Conference Teams to Watch in 2022–23
With the new NBA season now over a month away, it’s time to shift focus to the teams we’ll all have eyes on in October. The Eastern Conference has grown stronger in recent years, but this past offseason, it really ramped up, from blockbuster trades to key signings shaping the top teams on the Atlantic side.
Aside from the major players such as the Bucks and Heat, there are other contenders worth keeping track of next season. Here are four Eastern Conference teams to look out for in October.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland made waves last week, trading for Donovan Mitchell from the Jazz in a package centered around Collin Sexton. The new-look Cavs will be putting everyone on notice this year, as they hope to skyrocket from a bottom-tier contender to a top team in the East.
Though Mitchell is now leading the charge, he is certainly not alone. Darius Garland will look to build on his newfound stardom and continue his development as a strong facilitator. Last year, the 22-year-old averaged a career-high 21.7 points per game to go along with 3.3 rebounds and 6.6 assists on 46–38–89 splits. Cleveland also has young guns in their starting lineup — namely Isaac Okoro and Evan Mobley — that will continue to prove themselves this upcoming year. Additionally, the Cavs have a solid supporting cast that is ready to take the leap, including Kevin Love, Cedi Osman, and Isaac Okoro.
Overall, the Cavs are here and ready to stay, looking to assert themselves as a legitimate contender while each player brings loads of potential and promise.
Philadelphia 76ers
The Sixers, headlined by Joel Embiid and James Harden, are more than ready to prove doubters wrong and go on a deep playoff run next season. Last year, Embiid boasted 30.6 PPG and 11.3 RPG while shooting 37.1% from deep, while Harden put up an effective 21 PPG and 10.5 APG.
Joining the tandem are players who star in their roles. Tyrese Maxey, who broke out last season with an average of 17.5 PPG and 4.3 APG, looks to further his development as a standout second or third option. And after being in trade rumors for so long, Tobias Harris attempts to cut out the background noise and let his game speak for itself. He put up 17.5 PPG, 6.8 RPG, and 3.5 APG on 48–37–84 splits. Finally, players such as Georges Niang and Shake Milton will be tying up loose ends as they make the most of their opportunities under head coach Doc Rivers.
After four second-round exits in five years, the Sixers are determined to change the narrative. Embiid and Harden will look to dominate with a full season together as the rest of the roster fills in the gaps and performs when their numbers are called.
Atlanta Hawks
Trae Young, Dejounte Murray, and John Collins put on a show over the summer with their Pro-Am appearances. With training camp coming up in a couple of weeks, Hawks fans have plenty to look forward to.
The Hawks are looking to bounce back from last season. Even though Young averaged 28 points and nearly 10 assists in 76 games, he faltered in the first round, putting up 15 PPG and 6 APG while shooting 18% from deep. Collins, who put up 21 PPG two seasons ago, has dipped in per-game averages and barely made a dent in the playoffs. The need for redemption coupled with the addition of Dejounte Murray, who erupted for 21.8 points, 9.2 assists, 8.3 rebounds, and 2 steals per game, adds fire to the Hawks’ playing style.
Aside from the key trade, Atlanta shored up around the edges, trading Kevin Huerter to the Kings for Justin Holiday, Moe Harkless, and a future first-round pick. Mixing in Holiday and Harkless with notable supporting pieces in Bogdan Bogdanovic, DeAndre Hunter, and Onyeka Okongwu gives them skill and depth to rely on should any of the big three miss time.
All in all, things are looking bright in the ATL. It will be up to Trae and co. to right the ship and get back to their path of success.
Brooklyn Nets
Finally, an Eastern Conference team to keep an eye on is the Brooklyn Nets, especially after the drama they put us through during the offseason. From trade requests to a coach and GM on the hot seat, watching Brooklyn was like tuning into a soap opera, and the performances by all deserved Oscar nominations.
Aside from KD and Kyrie, who will look to rebound after the Nets were swept by the Celtics in the first round last year, it is also worth noting that Ben Simmons is poised for a comeback this season. The 26-year-old last played in 2021 and missed the entirety of last year due to a holdout and back injury. Now, he appears ready for a return, primed to help Durant and Irving as a solid third option.
Brooklyn also made solid moves amid the drama, trading for Royce O’Neale and signing T.J. Warren and Markieff Morris in the offseason while re-signing Patty Mills and Kessler Edwards (among others).
The Nets are up for redemption, led by the KD-Kyrie-Simmons big three. With the way things went down this summer, they may be a key team to watch not only on the court but off of it, too.
It will be worth it to tune into these four squads over the course of the season, as they each look to exceed expectations on their paths towards an Eastern Conference Finals (or even NBA Finals) appearance.
