The East has always been the NBA’s maligned conference, and this season might be the most obvious example of that.

It would be shocking if the 2026 champs came from one of these teams, and Giannis is the only top 6-7 player that resides on this side of the bracket.

Still, many revamped teams are hoping to make a deep run this season, although the names at the top remain familiar.

Finals contenders: teams that can make the finals but are unlikely to win it all

Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks

It’s not an accident that there are no championship contenders listed here. The Cavs and Knicks could be regular-season juggernauts that flirt with 60 wins, but neither Jalen Brunson nor Donovan Mitchell are good enough to beat Denver or OKC in a potential finals matchup. In the East, thoug

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