The Atlantic Division has usually been one of many strongest divisions within the NBA over the past decade, though final yr was actually a down yr for everybody besides the Celtics and Knicks.
That is going to be a bizarre yr within the Atlantic, largely as a result of the Celtics shall be with out star ahead Jayson Tatum for the whole season, which is bound to complicate the order. There’s additionally loads of uncertainty surrounding the 76ers, who had a horrific yr final season with out former MVP Joel Embiid for many of it. Embiid is again, however questions nonetheless encompass a crew that gained simply 24 video games final season.
Right here’s how I imagine issues will shake out within the Atlantic this season, as Ballislife ideas off its preseason NBA protection. Subsequent up: the Central Division. The NBA’s common season commences Tuesday, October 21.
Atlantic Division Projected Order Of End/File:
New York Knicks: 53-29
Philadelphia 76ers: 43-39
Boston Celtics: 41-41
Toronto Raptors: 34-48
Brooklyn Nets: 21-61
New York Knicks
Final season: 51-31
Predicted 2025-26 file: 53-29
Tier: Title contenders
Write up: The Knicks’ first Japanese Convention Finals look in 25 years wasn’t sufficient to save lots of Tom Thibodeau’s job, however they’ll nonetheless be one in all–if not essentially the most formidable power within the Japanese Convention this season, given the unlucky harm circumstances plaguing two prime contenders within the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers.
Yr two of the Jalen Brunson and Karl Anthony-Cities partnership needs to be a bit smoother than the primary, and new coach Mike Brown’s superior offensive creativity, compared to Thibodeau, ought to bode effectively for the pair. The Cavaliers are the most important menace to a possible NBA Finals in New York, however the 2024-25 postseason proved the bracket can get thrown off the rails at any second.
All in all, I’m anticipating a two-game common season enchancment for the Knicks that may translate to the No. 3 seed within the East and probably a deep postseason run. However you’ll need to learn the upcoming playoff preview to see these predictions.
Philadelphia 76ers
Final season: 24-58
Predicted 2025-26 file: 43-39
Tier: Win now or blow it up
Write up: Joel Embiid is coming into coaching camp wholesome (as he probably may be) and able to go for opening day, barring any setbacks. Possibly Embiid gained’t return to his earlier MVP type, however his absence final season proved that he could be the only most essential participant to 1 crew’s operation in the whole league.
With Embiid spending almost the whole lot of the season principally hobbled or sidelined fully, the 76ers limped to a 24-58 file final season. Even with the companies of “Podcast” Paul George. Even if Embiid was laboring in lots of his appearances final season, the Sixers nonetheless went an improved 8-11 even whereas he struggled to make it to the end line.
If Embiid actually is wholesome, I anticipate him and Podcast P to gel effectively sufficient to no less than end above .500 and compete for a playoff spot. If the previous MVP can’t get proper, we could possibly be taking a look at a repeat catastrophe within the Metropolis of Brotherly Love. No less than Philly has the Eagles.
Boston Celtics
Final season: 61-21
Predicted 2025-26 file: 41-41
Tier: Navigating accidents
Write up: The Boston Celtics are left with a depressing scenario forward of the 2025-26 season, as they primarily know earlier than the season’s opening tip that it’s a misplaced marketing campaign after Jayson Tatum’s fateful Achilles tear within the Japanese Convention Semifinals. Understanding the season is misplaced, possession additionally determined to dump lots of the crew’s key supporting veterans in an effort to remain below the second apron.
Kristaps Porzingis, gone. Jrue Vacation, see ya. Al Horford, effectively, his luggage are packed. However the Jonathan Kuminga hostage scenario in Golden State is holding again a reported handshake settlement between Horford and the Warriors to make that his subsequent and maybe remaining step within the NBA.
Regardless, Joe Mazzulla nonetheless runs an extremely tight ship in Beantown and regardless of shedding a number of of these key gamers, he nonetheless has Jaylen Brown, Anfernee Simons and a roster of serviceable hoopers which can be auditioning for a task on the A Crew when the massive canine Tatum returns. I see this crew reaching the .500 mark out of pure, Mazulla-driven spite.
Toronto Raptors
Final season: 30-52
Predicted 2025-26 file: 37-45
Tier: Bettering, however not fairly .500
Write up: The Toronto Raptors had been an attention-grabbing crew final season within the sense that they really had extra younger depth than plenty of NBA groups that had been significantly better throughout, however they had been a crew comprised almost completely of gamers that will function serviceable-to-good starters or function gamers on higher groups. No stars, no actual load-carriers. They did, nevertheless, have seven gamers who averaged double-figures in scoring with 30+ appearances. For context, each individuals in final yr’s NBA Finals every had the identical quantity.
The Raptors acquired Brandon Ingram on the commerce deadline final February, including one of many recreation’s most versatile scorers to a lineup that already introduced extra choices than many would have anticipated. Scottie Barnes is popping right into a high-level two-way expertise and R.J Barrett has grown right into a 20-point scorer himself. I don’t assume this crew is prepared for a playoff push but, however I do forecast no less than seven extra wins than the 30 it tallied final season, and I wouldn’t be too shocked in the event that they hit 40.
Brooklyn Nets
Final season: 26-56
Predicted 2025-26 file: 21-61
Tier: Unhealthy
Write up: Issues are, for lack of a greater description, not superb in Brooklyn proper now. The franchise has no common route, it’s in a standoff with its greatest scorer (Cam Thomas), and the offseason spotlight was the acquisition of maybe the goofiest star within the NBA in Michael Porter Jr., on a contract so dangerous that it was a real shock Denver was capable of offload it.
In the event you’re a Nets fan, hold hoping for higher days. Or simply grow to be a Knicks fan. This season is cooked.
