Check out our other NBA Divisional Previews below.
2020-21 NBA Season Preview: Atlantic Division
2020-21 NBA Season Preview: Southeast Division
2020-21 NBA Season Preview: Southwest Division
2020-21 NBA Season Preview: Northwest Division
2020-21 NBA Season Preview: Pacific Division
NOTABLE NEWCOMERS
The Milwaukee Bucks made the biggest splash in the division this offseason by trading for Jrue Holiday in a four-team deal. Holiday is an improvement from Eric Bledsoe, and should pair well with Giannis Antetokounmpo, who just signed the largest extension in league history worth around $228 million. The Bucks also added key pieces in D.J. Augustin, Bryn Forbes, and Bobby Portis, which will help them head back to the NBA Playoffs.
A team that made plenty of moves in the offseason was the Detroit Pistons. New faces taking the court for Detroit are Mason Plumlee, Jerami Grant, Jahlil Okafor, Josh Jackson, Wayne Ellington, and Delon Wright. With the newly added pieces, Blake Griffin and Co. look to change the culture of the Pistons.
The Central Division became a hub for some of the top rookies. Along with all the players Detroit acquired, they also brought in rookies Killian Hayes, Isaiah Stewart, and Saddiq Bey. Lottery picks Patrick Williams and Isaac Okoro found homes with the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers, respectfully. The rookies look to make an impact with their teams, with Hayes in the best position to do so for a Detroit team that needs him to playing minutes now.
X-FACTORS
Chicago Bulls
Can Coby White take the next step in his sophomore year? With Kris Dunn now in an Atlanta uniform, White has the opportunity to take over the point guard role for a young and hungry team. With more minutes and responsibility, White can change the trajectory of the Bulls.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Can the Cleveland Cavaliers play complete basketball? The Cavaliers are a young and exciting team, showing flashes last season. However, the Cavs were missing key intangibles such as teamwork, consistency, and accountability. There’s no question Cleveland will be good, but I’m not sure this year is their year.
Detroit Pistons
Will the new players be able to mesh well together? There’s a lot of new and talented faces in Detroit. While that all looks good on paper, can the chemistry translate onto the court? If the answer is yes, then the Pistons have the potential to be a dark horse to make the playoffs.
Indiana Pacers
Can the Indiana Pacers make it past the first round of the playoffs? Since 2015, the Pacers have surpassed 40 wins and made the playoffs every season… but have been eliminated in the first round every time. In all five series, Indiana has only won six games. It’s nice being a good team, but it’s better to be a successful team in the playoffs.
Milwaukee Bucks
The largest looming question this offseason was if Giannis Antetokounmpo will stay in Milwaukee… until he signed to stay there for five more years. Now the question is if Giannis can finally lead the Bucks to the NBA Finals. The Bucks have statistaclly been the best team in the East for the past two seasons, but haven’t been able to make it past the Eastern Conference Finals. With Giannis here to stay for the foreseeable future, and the addition of Jrue Holiday, the Bucks look to finally make it to the Finals if the team can mesh around Giannis.
BOLD PREDICTIONS
Chicago Bulls
Otto Porter Jr. plays a full season and leads the Bulls to the playoffs for the first time in three years.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Andre Drummond leads the league in blocks and wins Defensive Player of the Year.
Detroit Pistons
Killian Hayes helps push the Pistons to the playoffs and wins Rookie of the Year.
Indiana Pacers
Myles Turner averages a double-double and makes the All-Star Team.
Milwaukee Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo will be the fourth player in NBA history to three-peat as MVP.
ALL-DIVISION TEAM
PG: Jrue Holiday, Milwaukee Bucks
SG: Victor Oladipo, Indiana Pacers
SF: T.J. Warren, Indiana Pacers
PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
C: Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons
PROJECTED STANDINGS
*The 2020-21 NBA season will consist of only 72 games instead of the normal 82 because of scheduling conflicts
- Milwaukee Bucks (52-20)
- Indiana Pacers (40-32)
- Chicago Bulls (32-40)
- Detroit Pistons (30-42)
- Cleveland Cavaliers (22-50)
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