The Sixers now boast LeBron James and Jaylen Brown. How do they stack up in the loaded East?

The 76ers have executed the NBA’s splashiest offseason by signing all-time great LeBron James and trading for All-NBA wing Jaylen Brown … and still may not be the favorites in the Eastern Conference?

That is how deep the East has become, at least on paper. It is a counter to the West, which may have the two best long-term teams and superstars in Victor Wembanyama’s San Antonio Spurs and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Oklahoma City Thunder.

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But 11 East teams probably believe they can be a top-6 seed. That is too many for the play-in tournament, much less the actual playoffs.

Injuries, in-season moves, and other factors can impact the East landscape from late October through June. But here is where things stand following a wild summer.

The Knicks deserve this respect after their torrid run to the NBA title last month. And they are running it back with their full rotation — including ‘Nova Knicks Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart — except backup center Mitchell Robinson. That there has been no repeat NBA champion since the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018 illustrates the steep challenge now facing the Knicks. But they still belong at the top of this ladder until they are knocked down.

The Sixers might now boast the NBA’s most talented starting lineup, but how long does it all take to gel? Health is always a concern with former MVP Joel Embiid — and, to a lesser extent, James at this point in his career. But the Sixers appear better equipped to withstand that in adding an in-prime Brown to the dynamic Tyrese Maxey-VJ Edgecombe backcourt.

The Pistons also deserve respect as last year’s top playoff seed, while anchored by MVP contender (and still ascending) Cade Cunningham. But losing in the playoffs’ second round demonstrates that steps remain for them to become legitimate contenders.

They are still in a contract stalemate with restricted free agent (and former Roman Catholic product) Jalen Duren, an All-NBA selection last season who struggled mightily in the playoffs. But they addressed outside shooting concerns by trading for former Sixer Isaiah Joe, and also added John Collins.

Perhaps this is too high for this team following the Brown trade that brought back Paul George. But the Celtics are in a similar spot as last season, just with the now-healthy Jayson Tatum as the unquestioned top offensive option. They’ll add George as a secondary offensive option. Boston also added Robinson to address its center void, which was exposed during their first-round playoff loss to the Sixers.

Figuring out the post-Brown era is a task for Joe Mazzulla, the reigning NBA Coach of the Year who may have gone too far with an unorthodox starting lineup in Game 7 against the Sixers and overall three-point-heavy scheme.

It might be fair to call the Cavaliers a subpar Eastern Conference finals team, given how that series went against the Knicks. Then they missed out on a sentimental second reunion with James, leaving them with a team that boasts an impressive core — All-NBA guard Donovan Mitchell and former Defensive Player of the Year in Evan Mobley — but feels like it may have run its course.

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Perhaps Cleveland will now pivot to adding a complementary player such as Jonathan Kuminga, but is that enough to move the needle (or maintain their positioning) in this loading-up East?

Remember them? Assuming Tyrese Haliburton returns to All-NBA form following Achilles surgery, can the Pacers recapture the magic of their 2025 Finals run? Indiana started prepping for the upcoming season by trading for center Ivica Zubac at the February deadline, but did not add a high draft pick thanks to horrendous lottery luck.

If the Kawhi Leonard trade finally goes through, move the Raptors into the challenger tier. Leonard, who would return to Toronto still as one of the NBA’s best two-way wings when healthy, creates a super-fun duo with All-Star Scottie Barnes. The Raptors also still have helpful complementary players such as Immanuel Quickley and Collin Murray-Boyles.

The Heat certainly think they belong in the challenger tier after trading for two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo to pair with All-Star Bam Adebayo. But missing out on a reunion with James leaves Miami with a severe lack of playmaking and overall perimeter punch.

Atlanta was one of the hottest teams during last season’s second half, and gave the Knicks their toughest postseason test. The Hawks successfully pivoted from the Trae Young era to building around versatile All-Star Jalen Johnson and veteran CJ McCollum.

This offseason, they traded for stout perimeter defender Lu Dort to play alongside NBA Most Improved Player Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Dyson Daniels, and drafted intriguing point guard Kingston Flemings.

Orlando has not changed much besides its coach, with Sean Sweeney taking over after impactful assistant stints with the Spurs and Dallas Mavericks. Two big questions facing this roster: Can Franz Wagner stay healthy, and can Paolo Banchero improve his efficiency?

One of last season’s feel-good stories has already undergone a shakeup by trading LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Hornets still have an exciting young core with Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller, but now feel a tick below these other teams after losing in last season’s play-in.

The King Picks Philly

Purchase a front page reprint of The Philadelphia Inquirer from Saturday, July 25, 2026, featuring LeBron James following the news that he was joining the 76ers. Buy it here.