2020 is off to a hot start in the NBA. With the All-Star game approaching and trade season developing, the NBA’s Eastern Conference teams need to decide who they are and where they fit in this year’s title landscape. Here’s a quick look at what every Eastern Conference team should have as their New Year’s Resolution for 2020.
Atlanta Hawks – Trade for Andre Drummond
The Hawks are at the bottom of the conference and could use a little boost. Pairing Trae Young and John Collins with Andre Drummond would do just that. Atlanta has plenty of expiring contracts to use as filler for this trade, and Detroit should move on from their All-Star center. Drummond could be a free agent this offseason, but the Hawks need to take this chance for their young core.
Boston Celtics – Trade for Andre Drummond
Unlike the Hawks, Boston should deal for Drummond for this year’s playoff run. Currently No. 2 in the East, the Celtics need a frontcourt difference-maker. Daniel Theis can’t score and Enes Kanter can’t defend. This has led to Marcus Smart getting minutes at center for the Celtics. A deal for Drummond would help Boston strengthen their most glaring weakness.
Brooklyn Nets – Reintegrate Kyrie Irving
This season has been a lost one for the Nets, playing without Kevin Durant from the beginning and Kyrie Irving as of late. Irving’s shoulder woes have helped players like Spencer Dinwiddie emerge, but if Brooklyn is going to make any noise in the playoffs, they’ll need to get Irving going. The Nets have been better without Irving this season, but they’ll need him for the future.
Charlotte Hornets – Sell, sell, sell
The Hornets have surprised some with their solid play thus far and are lingering just behind Orlando for the East’s No. 8 seed. But make no mistake, Charlotte needs to deal their veterans and build around their young core. The emergence of Devonte’ Graham is great, but the team needs to move on from Marvin Williams, Bismarck Biyombo and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. Anything they can get for those expiring contracts would be great. Moving on from Nic Batum’s deal would be even better, if unlikely.
Chicago Bulls – Make or break Zach LaVine
The Bulls have had talented young cores in the past, and what they have now is no exception. What Chicago is building needs a clear alpha, though, and the team needs to see if the talented Zach LaVine is that. Lauri Markkanen and Wendell Carter, Jr. are also possible lead “bulls,” but Chicago’s athletic guard should get first crack at the spot. If LaVine isn’t the one, they should move on from him.
Cleveland Cavaliers – Trade Kevin Love
It’s no secret Kevin Love wants out of Cleveland. The problem for the former All-Star forward is he has three-years and more than $90 million left on his contract. The Cavs need to fully embrace their rebuilding efforts, and hanging on to Love makes no sense. The team should also move on from Tristan Thompson’s expiring contract, just like they did that of Jordan Clarkson.
Detroit Pistons – Deal Andre Drummond
The Pistons have been stuck in the middle of the Eastern Conference seemingly ever since their 2004 title. Detroit has tried to make playoff runs by adding Blake Griffin and Reggie Jackson, but these efforts have come to no avail. Currently four games out of the No. 8 seed, it’s time for the Pistons to hit reset, and that starts with dealing Drummond. The star center is a great rebounder, but he’s not a franchise centerpiece. He has a $28 million player option for next season, but it’s time to move on.
Indiana Pacers – Prep for Oladipo’s return
At 22-13, the Pacers have been one of the surprises in the East this season. A scrappy, disciplined team, Indiana is solidly in the mix for the East, but they’re missing their leader. They’ve lost three of four of late and Malcolm Brogdon has been hurt. If the Pacers are going to make a push, they’ll need Victor Oladipo back to his All-Star form soon.
Miami Heat – Use more than an eight-man rotation
The Heat have also surprised some with their play this season. Currently the East’s No. 3 seed, Miami has relied largely on just eight players. If the Heat are going to remain near the top of the East, head coach Erik Spoelstra will have to expand his rotation. Miami has seen little of James Johnson and none of Dion Waiters this season. Both vets will be difficult to trade, so it might be time to welcome them back into the fold.
Milwaukee Bucks – Prep for a Finals run
The Bucks have the NBA’s best record at 31-5, but in order to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo around come 2021, they’ll need to show their MVP candidate they’re a legitimate contender for the title. The Bucks could use another shot creator and need to improve their three-point shooting.
New York Knicks – Fix the roster
While they’ve been more competitive under interim head coach Mike Miller, the Knicks are still a mess. Their mismatched roster is part of the reason why David Fizdale’s tenure flopped in New York. The Knicks need to shift their full focus to their young players and see what they might get via trade for veterans like Marcus Morris, Taj Gibson, Wayne Ellington, and Bobby Portis.
Orlando Magic – See what Aaron Gordon is worth
The Magic are currently the No. 8 seed in the East but they sport the fifth-worst offensive rating in the league (104.7). Aaron Gordon has two years and $34 million left on his deal and could use a change of scenery and could net Orlando an offensive upgrade on the perimeter for the playoffs.
Philadelphia 76ers – Add a shooter
Letting J.J. Redick go last offseason has really hurt the 76ers. Offensive issues have bogged down the team’s crunch time performance and have led to uneven results throughout the season. Pegged for the top of the conference, Philly is currently the No. 6 seed. They shouldn’t rely on Furkan Korkmaz for their shooting and need to add a playoff-proven talent for that.
Toronto Raptors – Stay on course
The Raptors were primed for a reset this offseason when Kawhi Leonard left for L.A., but the team has rallied and is in the mix near the top of the East. Recent injuries to Pascal Siakam, Marc Gasol and Norm Powell have hurt, but Toronto should stay on course and see how far this core can go.
Washington Wizards – Play some defense
The Wizards have had a difficult season, but Bradley Beal has kept them respectable most nights. While they sport a top-10 offense, Washington is currently the worst defense in the league. Their 116.3 defensive rating is almost three full points more than the 29th team. They’ll need to play a little defense in the second half of the season to avoid notching the worst defensive rating of all-time, which is currently the 2019 Cleveland Cavaliers (116.6).
