How LeBron James to 76ers shapes East's NBA power rankings, Pistons
· Yahoo Sports
LeBron James's shocking decision to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers may reshape the Eastern Conference even further.
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The Detroit Pistons were the No. 1 seed in the East in 2025-26, and though they made a bunch of trades this offseason, the Sixers are among several teams who have taken bigger swings and will threaten the Pistons' contending status.
Here's a quick look at the loaded in East, one month into the offseason and three months before the NBA's 2026-27 season.
[ Trajan Langdon's underwhelming offseason with Pistons is big gamble for good reason ]
NBA power rankings in Eastern Conference
1. New York Knicks
The defending champions lost their top rim protector, Mitchell Robinson to the Boston Celtics and replaced him with former Pistons star Andre Drummond, who turns 33 in August. Otherwise, their roster remains intact and they’re well-positioned for a second Finals run.
2. Philadelphia 76ers
Jaylen Brown’s trade from Boston to Philadelphia propelled the Sixers to contending status. James’ surprising decision Friday to sign a two-year deal with them secures their superteam status, with Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Brown and VJ Edgecombe solidifying the most formidable starting lineup in the conference.
3. Detroit Pistons
It has been a quieter offseason than some hoped for, but the Pistons made meaningful additions. Isaiah Joe, Taurean Prince and Gary Harris are good-to-elite shooters and upgrade the team’s spacing, which too often was cramped last season. John Collins provides both outside shooting and above-the-rim finishing at the four.
They will have to adjust to life without Tobias Harris and Isaiah Stewart, but continued growth from Cade Cunningham, Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren (who remains in a contract standoff with the organization) will keep the Pistons among the top of the East.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers
The team that eliminated the Pistons from the playoffs lost its best Cunningham defender, Dean Wade, to the Sixers. Assuming James Harden re-signs with the Cavs, their fortunes will depend on if the aging star, who turns 37 in August, can stay healthy and continue performing at a high level.
5. Boston Celtics
It remains to be seen how they’ll look after trading Brown, but this is still a balanced team with a perennial MVP candidate in Jayson Tatum, who will be more than a year removed from an Achilles tear that caused him to miss 66 games last season.
6. Miami Heat
Giannis Antetokounmpo is the latest late-career superstar to move to Miami in pursuit of a championship. They gutted their depth to acquire him, but the Heat consistently have found ways to build contending teams. Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo will make them formidable.
7. Toronto Raptors
Whether or not the Kawhi Leonard trade is cleared by the NBA will dictate Toronto’s ranking. With Leonard, they have a greater chance at building on a 46-win season and surviving a brutal division featuring the Sixers, Celtics and Knicks.
8. Atlanta Hawks
Other than Jalen Johnson, the Hawks lack starpower. But their depth can make up for it –
Dyson Daniels and newcomer Lu Dort give them two strong perimeter defenders, and lottery pick Kingston Flemings brings upside at point guard.
9. Indiana Pacers
Tyrese Haliburton’s return from an Achilles tear will determine how good Indiana will be. If he picks up where he left off from an All-Star season, Haliburton, Pascal Siakam and Ivaca Zubac will make them a playoff contender.
10. Orlando Magic
Nikola Vucevic has long been among the league’s best shooters at the five, and his arrival addressed one of Orlando’s main weaknesses last season. As we saw in the first round, the Magic play like a contender when Franz Wagner is healthy. But if he has another injury-plagued season, Orlando will have a tough time competing.
11. Washington Wizards
On paper, the Wizards are as exciting as they’ve ever been. First-overall pick AJ Dybantsa joins a roster featuring two stars in Anthony Davis and Trae Young. But they have unproven depth, and their prospects depend on Davis’ ability to stay healthy and how quickly Dybantsa acclimates to the NBA.
12. Charlotte Hornets
Had their best season in years as one of the league's best teams after the season's first quarter, but dealt their top offensive player in LaMelo Ball, and a second starters in Miles Bridges.
There's a steep drop-off after the top-12 teams. Those final three teams round out my power ranks:
13. Chicago Bulls
14. Milwaukee Bucks
15. Brooklyn Nets
Contact Omari Sankofa II at [email protected]. Follow him on X and/or Bluesky.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: How LeBron James to 76ers shapes East's NBA power rankings, Pistons