Ira Winderman: Even with AnteBayo, Heat up for serious challenge in energized East
MIAMI — A week that started with the Miami Heat as the talk of the East somehow ended with Pat Riley’s team shuffled to secondary (if that) story.
Such has been such a dramatic overhaul in the conference that the Heat at one moment can be viewed as contenders for the NBA Finals and at another the perception quite reasonably can be … right back in the play-in pool.
Yes, the offseason work is not done in South Florida or beyond. And, yes, Monday’s start of the 2026-27 transaction period could begin to offer a clearer tell. But what is clear is that challenges remain ahead for Erik Spoelstra’s team even after Giannis Antetokounmpo signs Monday on that dotted line.
So Heat as beasts or leasts in the East? That comes down to the perceptions of the competition.
New York Knicks
You have to start here, with the defending champions. They deserve as much.
But at no point as the Knicks blew through the East at its lowest point in years was there a feel of something dynastic.
Now Mitchell Robinson is gone, off to the Boston Celtics in free agency. And that matters for New York, matters a lot, with Robinson’s play in support of Karl-Anthony Towns a crucial element of their playoff success.
The Knicks are still good, but arguably now not as good.
Philadelphia 76ers
There now is no more talented perimeter core in the East after the 76ers’ acquisition of Jaylen Brown.
Brown, Tyrese Maxey and V.J. Edgecombe set up as an offensive three-headed monster. Stop one if you dare. But all three?
And, yet, as almost always with the 76ers, it comes down to the health of Joel Embiid. But the difference this time around is there is so much more in support.
The biggest question might be if Maxey becomes too deferential to the detriment of the 76ers.
Indiana Pacers
The gap year is over. Tyrese Haliburton will be back from his 2025 NBA Finals Achilles tear. Ivica Zubac will be able to gain his footing after his acquisition at February’s trade deadline. And Pascal Siakam, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith and T.J. McConnell remain in place, now augmented by Kelly Oubre.
Plus, Rick Carlisle is a heck of a coach when he actually is trying to win.
Toronto Raptors
So what to make of going all-in on Kawhi Leonard? Well, the last time the Raptors took that approach they won the 2019 championship.
Another factor also to consider, with all due respect to the Heat — Better leading duo: Scottie Barnes-Leonard or Antetokounmpo-Adebayo? Because when it comes to depth, the Raptors could have the Heat trumped.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Say what you want about the Cavaliers’ talent not getting it done in the playoffs, but Cleveland the last four seasons has won 51, 48, 64 and then this past season 52 regular-season games.
And only now, after being acquired at February’s trade deadline, can James Harden gorge himself on regular-season statistics with the Cavaliers.
This Cavaliers roster has shown that during the regular season it is as good as anyone in the East.
Detroit Pistons
Even with the playoff flameout, the reality is there were 60 regular-season victories in 2025-26, just four shy of the league-leading Oklahoma City Thunder.
It certainly can be debated whether the addition of John Collins in place of departed Tobias Harris is an upgrade. But Cade Cunningham still has considerable quality at his side.
The Pistons likely will experience a dropoff, but they certainly will not crater.
(We interrupt this analysis to note that already is six teams of note in the East, meaning finishing below all six results, at best … in the play-in. We now resume our East analysis, already in progress.)
Boston Celtics
Yes, Jaylen Brown is gone. But the Celtics under the leadership of Joe Mazzulla and Brad Stephens have shown an ability to bounce back from dramatic personnel shifts, including succeeding last season in the wake of the losses of Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford.
Still in place are Jayson Tatum, Derrick White and Payton Pritchard, now also with the possibilities of Paul George and Mitchell Robinson..
The Celtics likely will step back, but it helps when you’re stepping back from a starting point of last season’s 56-26.
Orlando Magic
Yes, perhaps a classic case of if you’re not moving forward, you’re falling back.
But this still is a roster that features Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Jaylen Suggs and Desmond Bane.
With all the drama surrounding outgoing coach Jamahl Mosley, the switch to San Antonio Spurs assistant Sean Sweeney as leading man could have the Magic off the mat in no time.
Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks ended last season as one of the hottest teams in the East, finding their footing in the post-Trae Young era behind the play of Jalen Johnson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dyson Daniels and even CJ McCollum.
Now first-round pick Kingston Flemings has been added in the draft and Aaron Wiggins in a trade. Good could be getting better.
Charlotte Hornets
Not to be forgotten is that the Hornets finished a game ahead of the Heat and then ousted the Heat in the play-in round.
Yes, the Heat have upgraded, but Charlotte hardly stood pat either, moving off the unpredictability of LaMelo Ball in favor of roster moves that added Naz Reid, Royce O’Neale and Grayson Allen to the emerging youthful core of Kon Knueppel, Brandon Miller and Moussa Diabate. Plus there was the return of Coby White in free agency.
And that’s not getting into the possibility of first-round pick Hannes Steinbach or Christian Anderson popping.
(We again interrupt this analysis to note that already is 10 teams of note in the East, meaning finishing below all 10 results, at best … in the lottery. We now resume our East analysis, already in progress.)
Washington Wizards
This is an easy one to dismiss as “oh, the Wizards.” And yet, it sure seems like Washington is playing for real.
Say what you want about the chemistry with Anthony Davis, Trae Young, Deandre Ayton and No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa, but the talent is there – enough talent to avoid the lottery.
The rest
Then there are the Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets, who all have done their share of reloading, just with more of a forward-thinking approach. Still, with the new lottery system that dissuades (if not eliminates) tanking, the gimmes seem to be gone in the East.
For the Heat’s Antetokounmpo and Adebayo, ample challenges ahead — starting with an East seedings race unlike any other in recent years.
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