The NBA world gasped when Tyrese Haliburton crumpled to the floor in Game 7 against the Thunder. All that anticipation for the first NBA Finals Game 7 in nine years was quickly deflated. Haliburton appeared to suffer a devastating Achilles injury, which was later confirmed by his father on the ABC broadcast.
Haliburton was the third NBA star to suffer a brutal Achilles injury these playoffs, joining the Bucks’ Damian Lillard and the Celtics’ Jayson Tatum. All of those guys will sit likely the majority of next season, if not all of it, as they navigate the lengthy rehab process. That means an uncertain East gets even more mystery to it as it’s looking like a wide-open conference going forward.
The Celtics are looking at a retooling year as they’ll shed salary in the upcoming days, plus Tatum is out. The Pacers are going to have a long offseason after falling short in a heartbreaking Game 7 as they’ll also be without Haliburton. The Bucks have been in limbo for years now, though it appears they’re going to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo.
So, who does that leave in the East? Much like the Magic just did by trading for Desmond Bane, some teams are going to look at this as an opportunity. If there’s a time to go all-in, it’s the present and now considering there isn’t a proven East team like the Celtics have been over the past few years.
Leading the way will likely be the Cavaliers, who are coming off a stellar 64-18 team and the No. 1 seed in the conference. Cleveland earned a lot of respect this season even though it fell short in the second round to the Pacers, partly due to injuries. The Cavs can certainly make a run and will could be favored to do so in the East, though they also have an important offseason coming up with pieces like Ty Jerome.
The Magic already made their blockbuster deal, pairing a sharpshooter in Bane alongside wings Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero. They’ve gained some playoff experience the past couple seasons as they’ll look to make some noise. Orlando figures to be part of the East conversation starting next season.
The Knicks will look to be part of the conversation after their East Finals run, plus they’re in win-now mode with their core. New York is still searching for a head coach after firing Tom Thibodeau despite its best season in 25 seasons. The Knicks are bound to be playoff contenders, but it remains to be seen if they could push for their first title since 1973.
Don’t sleep on the Pistons, either. They dragged themselves out of NBA futility on their way to a 44-win season and first playoff win since 2008. Cade Cunningham is an All-NBA talent who’s only improving. Detroit will need to capitalize on its momentum as it’s in a strong position compared to the past several seasons.
Among the other teams in the East, perhaps a team like the Hawks, Heat, Bulls or Raptors takes some steps. The 76ers are also bound to be competitive after a lost season, plus they’re working with the No. 3 pick in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft. But health has always been the issue for Philadelphia, and until that’s fixed, it’s looking unlikely the Sixers will be a real threat.
Regardless, the East will look significantly different next season between injuries and the natural process of the NBA. Front offices will know that, too, as executives could look to push their chips all-in for the present instead of looking at the future.