Eastern Conference 2nd seed: Detroit Pistons
Unfortunately for their fans, the Pistons are living proof that being the number one seed in your conference guarantees absolutely nothing. In 2025-2026, Detroit finished as the top team in the Eastern Conference. Once the playoffs hit, they barely made it past the Orlando Magic in the first round and were eliminated by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round.
Over the offseason, Detroit has lost Tobias Harris, Isaiah Stewart, Caris LeVert, and Marcus Sasser. They're likely to retain Jalen Duren, but the negotiations are going to be exhausting at best, and it's not guaranteed. To offset that, the Pistons picked up John Collins, Isaiah Joe, Taurean Prince, and Gary Harris in addition to drafting forward Ugonna Onyenso and guard Ebuka Okorie.
Detroit has made moves to improve their chances this offseason, but they still lack a true co-star for Cade Cunningham. As it stands right now, the Pistons will likely still seed well in the playoffs, but the championship will remain out of reach. That is particularly true in a conference where the reigning champs have managed to keep their winning core together and are still hungry.
Eastern Conference 1st seed: New York Knicks
After waiting 53 years for a title, it's hard to imagine that the Knicks are going to stop at one. In fact, they will enter the 2026-2027 season with a level of confidence they haven't had for years, one that will push them to the top of their conference. You're looking at the best team in the East this season.
Despite having an owner who didn't want to spend money to keep his core together, the Knicks' front office still managed to pull it off. New York will go into this season with their starting line of Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, and OG Anunoby intact.
On top of that, they also hung on to key bench players such as Jose Alvarado, Jordan Clarkson, and Landry Shamet. The only major losses were at center. Both Mitchell Robinson and Ariel Hukporti left, though the Knicks started filling that gap with Andre Drummond.
If they can add in a relatively inexpensive free agent backup center like Drew Eubanks, the Knicks will be in a good place to continue their winning ways in 2026-2027. While they are frontrunners to be the top team in the East, it doesn't matter where they seed. The Knicks will repeat in 2027.
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