Miami Heat 1-on-1: How will James’ departure affect the Eastern Conference?

So in what way do you think James leaving the Eastern Conference will help the Heat?

Gewirtz: As James goes to the West, upon first glance, the Eastern Conference looks almost wide-open with the exception of the Celtics and Toronto Raptors.

It helps the Heat, but also every other team in the conference because the best player in the league is no longer competing to go to the Finals against them.

The Heat will most likely do better in the East than they did last year because not only is James in the West, but they also have Dion Waiters returning and players like Bam Adebayo and Justice Winslow with another year of experience.

There is still room for the Heat to make moves this offseason, but I would say that the team has a chance to be in the top five teams in the East.

Mora: I think James leaving the East will change the landscape of the conference.

New teams will take advantage and you will see a more competitive conference fighting to claim the Eastern throne. Boston and Philadelphia will be the clear favorites, but teams like Toronto and the Indiana Pacers won’t be too far behind.

Even the Heat will be making strides and pulling off upsets.

Teams don’t realize that the Heat have a young roster intact and played half a season with Wade and almost a complete season without Waiters. Waiters is coming back and although Wade’s future is uncertain, if he does come back, he already stated it will be with Miami. They have had post All-Star streaks that jolt them into playoff contention, so we know that won’t be a problem. Once the playoffs start, that’s another story.

I still think the East is going to undergo a major change for the better. Expect Miami to be right in the middle of that transition.