Proc-lamation! Could Tyrese's Cavs win the East?

• ‍Several Aussies in the NBA ready to fight for minutes on Eastern conference contenders
• Indiana Pacers and Boston Celtics set for down year with stars sidelined with Achilles injuries
• Sleeper teams ready to capitalise on open playoff spots

Australians Tyrese Proctor and Luke Travers are part of a squad that should make a serious run at the 2025-26 Eastern Conference championship in a conference stacked with fellow Australians.

The past two Eastern Conference champions are weakened by the absence of their superstars, it presents a rare opportunity has emerged for the conference’s dark horses to make a serious push towards the top.

Sides such as the Orlando Magic, Dyson Daniels' Atlanta Hawks and Detroit Pistons now find themselves in a prime position to contend for a top four finish, capitalising on a season where traditional powerhouses are faltering.

As the balance of power begins to shift, the door is wide open for an unlikely contender to rise.

15. Washington Wizards

The Washington Wizards are on a path of discovery, searching for that mystery player to fill the mould as the franchise’s cornerstone. The roster assembled is made of young pieces who have not yet made the jump, and veterans on their last legs possibly using the Wizards as a stop gap team. These are two standard features of a team in the middle of an intense rebuild. If the previous season’s last place finish is anything to go off, the Wizards look set for an uninspiring 82 games where a bad record can guarantee their top-10 protected pick in the hands of the New York Knicks. Former NBL Next Starr Alex Sarr is on the rise and while Akoldah Gak has signed an Exhibit 10 deal with the Washington Wizards.

14. Brooklyn Nets

The Brooklyn Nets, having moved on from Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson, have shifted focus toward building draft capital and cap space. With five new prospects added on draft night, the team now leans heavily into youth and long-term development. Offensive firepower remains, as Cam Thomas and the newly acquired Michael Porter Jr could headline an exciting scoring duo capable of explosive performances. Still, the overall direction suggests a franchise in the early stages of a rebuild, prioritising future flexibility over short-term contention. As new faces emerge and deals take shape, the Nets aim to turn potential into progress.

13. Chicago Bulls‍

Aussies in the Roster: Josh Giddey; and Lachlan Olbrich (two-way contract – will feature for the Windy City Bulls in the G-League)

‍Australian Josh Giddey headlines the 2025-26 Chicago Bulls as they search to break free from a period of play-in shortcomings. Partnered with Coby White in the backcourt, Giddey has excelled as the Bulls’ chief playmaker and will be a big part of what they can achieve in the upcoming season. The issue with Chicago is that it’s hard to see where they will improve and how they can make a jump after a lacklustre off-season. Combine this with the improvements of a few teams who finished below them last year, and the question marks hanging over certain players' games, the Bulls could struggle in 2026.

12. Charlotte Hornets

Aussies on the Roster: Josh Green

Winning the Summer League this off-season could be a sign of brighter days ahead for the Charlotte Hornets. Their 2025 lottery pick, Kon Knueppel, won Championship MVP and had an outstanding campaign, averaging 15.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists. With a returning former NBL Next Star LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, combined with quality off-season additions, Hornets fans have every reason to expect a minor jump in the upcoming season as the franchise continues its long-term project. Australian Josh Green will play vital minutes off the bench, with his defensive versatility and all-round game an essential part of what Charlotte is trying to build.

11. Toronto Raptors

The Toronto Raptors are a team full of talent that could very well outperform expectations in 2026. The main factor hindering their season last year was a plague of injuries, which disrupted the team’s ability to build momentum. Mid-season recruit Brandon Ingram will add some spark after missing an extended period and could prove the difference in whether they qualify for the playoffs. The Raptors will be hoping that Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley can rediscover their form and re-energise an otherwise uninspiring offence.

10. Indiana Pacers

Aussies on the Roster: Johnny Furphy

The Indiana Pacers will be one of the more interesting teams to watch this season, with question marks around how the absence of Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) will impact their campaign. While Haliburton is the face of the franchise, last year’s playoff run showed that the Pacers are a multi-layered team, with several players contributing equally to the club’s success. Pascal Siakam, Bennedict Mathurin, Andrew Nembhard, and Aaron Nesmith are all more than capable of keeping the offense ticking in 2026. High-flying Australian Johnny Furphy may also cement himself in the rotation this season, with the young guard expected to see increased minutes.

9. Boston Celtics

Just like the Indiana Pacers, the Boston Celtics are heading into the 2025/26 season with their best player, Jayson Tatum, sidelined. It’s only natural to expect a decline from the Celtics this year, with hopes resting on the shoulders of Jaylen Brown to carry the side. His supporting cast is filled with talent and has been bolstered by the acquisition of rising star Anfernee Simons via offseason trade. Despite this being a gap year for Boston, the roster is still strong enough to challenge for a playoff spot and potentially exceed expectations.

8. Miami Heat

Post-Jimmy Butler, the Miami Heat have seen stars Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo rise to the task as franchise leaders. While still finding their feet with this new-look lineup, Norman Powell is a strong addition who could push for borderline All-Star status in 2026 and be an ideal offensive complement to Bam and Herro. Although they may lack the pieces to be considered true contenders, the Heat possess valuable contributors like Andrew Wiggins, Jaime Jaquez Jr, and Kel’el Ware, who can help keep the team competitive.

7. Philadelphia 76ers

Whether the Philadelphia 76ers are a playoff team in 2025-26 depends on one thing: injuries. With their star-studded trio sharing the court on only 15 occasions last season, the upcoming campaign presents an opportunity to build on-court chemistry and challenge the off-season narratives criticising the trade that brought Paul George to Philly. After finishing 13th in the East, it’s hard to imagine Philadelphia not improving in 2026 especially given the openness of the conference this year, with several stars set to miss extended time.

6. Milwaukee Bucks

With Giannis Antetokounmpo at the helm, it's impossible to rule out the Bucks as a championship threat. The team has undergone major roster turnover, with key figures from their 2021 title run Pat Connaughton and Brook Lopez departing the franchise. Coupled with the exit of Damian Lillard, this is a very different Bucks team to the one that has dominated in recent years. The acquisition of Myles Turner was a significant move that could elevate Giannis’ game and become a key piece in the system they adopt. Given the level of roster change, this team may need time to click, but Giannis remains an inevitable leader who will guide them to the playoffs.

5. Atlanta Hawks

Aussies on the Roster: Dyson Daniels

The Atlanta Hawks could be the surprise package of the NBA next season as they look to capitalise on an injury-ravaged Eastern Conference. Aussie Dyson Daniels has turned heads since joining the Hawks, and his partnership with Trae Young has blossomed, combining offensive firepower with defensive precision. The Hawks also welcome back young gun Jalen Johnson, who was in red-hot form before his season-ending injury, and fans are eager to see how their number one overall pick, Zaccharie Risacher, progresses in his second year as well as the addition of Kristaps Porziņģis.

4. Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons are the fastest emerging contender in the Eastern Conference, coming off a season in which they improved their win total by 30 games. With no shortage of talent, the Pistons are the real deal, bolstered by added offensive firepower this off-season and energised by the return of rising star Jaden Ivey. However, with Malik Beasley’s future uncertain, the team could enter the season without a key contributor, losing an important piece of their three-point shooting. Under the guidance of coach J.B. Bickerstaff, the Detroit Pistons look poised for a successful season.

3. Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic announced their intent to go all in with the trade that brought Desmond Bane to the franchise. The Magic are a well-drilled team with untapped potential to take the Eastern Conference by storm. Headlined by Paolo Banchero, the starting lineup is packed with rising talent whose progression could be the catalyst for a significant jump in 2026. The biggest reason for the Magic’s projected rise is their already top-rated defence, which proved formidable on numerous occasions last season and is more than capable of matching up against the league’s offensive powerhouses.

2. New York Knicks

The New York Knicks came up just short of their first Finals appearance in 26 years after falling to the Indiana Pacers in six games. The Knicks are a genuine threat to contend for the title in 2026, with a balanced mix of offensive talent and defensive strength forming a recipe for success. Their well-rounded roster has been boosted by the acquisitions of Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele, who improve the Knicks’ second unit. The only question mark hanging over the franchise is whether new coach Mike Brown can maintain the same standard of play achieved last year under Tom Thibodeau.

1. Cleveland Cavaliers

Aussies on the Cleveland Cavaliers: Luke Travers; and Tyrese Proctor

The Cleveland Cavaliers have been one of the strongest regular-season teams in recent years. They boast some of the best defensive bigs in the game, while their backcourt is a reliable source of offensive production. The absence of Max Strus and Darius Garland to start the season could open the door for Aussies Tyrese Proctor and Luke Travers to earn valuable minutes off the bench. The Cavs are a well-coached team that makes it nearly impossible for opponents to outscore their number one ranked offense.