The annual NBA GM survey results were released this week, as GMs across the NBA answered dozens of different NBA-related questions.
The data was pooled together to give some insights into what GMs think about certain players, teams, etc.
One of the questions the GMs answered was where they think teams in the East will finish.
The [Celtics](https://nesn.com/boston-celtics) were tied with the Cavs for third in the highest percentage of first-place votes, at 7%.
The Knicks got 60% of the first-place votes, while the 76ers got the second most, at 23%.
The Celtics are off to a good start in the preseason so far, and although it's just exhibition games, it's a good sign to see them winning so far, with players stepping up from the bench and other areas of the rotation.
**MORE:** [What Jayson Tatum Needs to Do to Win MVP This Season](https://nesn.com/boston-celtics/news/what-jayson-tatum-needs-do-win-mvp-season/a03c8905ecaaf0c8cf0b7927)
A top-4 finish in the East seems doable for the Celtics, but with many teams improving in the conference this summer, the competition will certainly make it difficult.
The survey isn't always completely reflective of the final results, as the Celtics finished as the #2 seed last season, despite being projected as the #8 seed in the last edition of the GM survey.
The Celtics will kick off the NBA season next week, as they face the Pistons on Tuesday afternoon on the road.