Ranking the top teams in the Eastern Conference post-free agency

CLEVELAND, OH - MARCH 06: Goran Dragic
CLEVELAND, OH - MARCH 06: Goran Dragic /
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BOSTON, MA – MAY 25: LeBron James
BOSTON, MA – MAY 25: LeBron James /

1. Cleveland Cavaliers

The four-time Eastern Conference champions made headlines for all the wrong reasons. GM David Griffin was let go, the team fanned on big trades for Paul George and Carmelo Anthony and the stars seem to be aligning for LeBron’s second exit from his hometown. On top of all of that, the Cavs are on track to become the first team in NBA history to cross the $200 million threshold in payroll and luxury tax.

But the reality remains that the Eastern Conference got considerably worse over the course of two weeks in July and when that happens, the team with LeBron James is typically the favorite. This will remain true yet again this year.

Cleveland didn’t do anything aside from re-sign Kyle Korver and bring in minor additions like Jose Calderon, but they didn’t have to. Sure, a blockbuster trade for George would’ve possibly inched them closer to Golden State. But when it comes to their business in the East, the case could be made that Cleveland’s road got easier.

Despite the addition of Gordon Hayward, the Celtics still don’t have the type of firepower that can beat Cleveland four times. Had they added George and Hayward, it might’ve been a different conversation. Toronto brings consistency but they still remain a couple of moves away from really being able to challenge the Cavs. It’s elementary, but James is just that big of a difference nowadays and this Cleveland team, although handled easily by Golden State in the Finals, still knows how to navigate the regular season.

Next: Pat Riley says the Heat are a top-4 team in the East

On most nights, the combination of James, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving will be enough to win and the Cavs shouldn’t have a problem getting to 60 wins and another appearance in the Finals. Whether they contend beyond that depends on James’ satisfaction with the future of the team, but for 2017-18 they will remain kings of the East.