Make sure to check out part 1 first. This part will cover seeds 6-10.

10. Chicago Bulls

Last season, the Bulls had a terrible year, winning only 22 games and getting the 7th pick in the NBA draft, Coby White. Their most notable offseason acquisitions were Thomas Satoransky and Thaddeus, and their only notable loss was Robin Lopez. The Bulls were led by a young core of Zach Lavine and Lauri Markkanen, but Markkanen played in only 52 games due to injury. Their projected starting lineup for next season is: Thomas Satoransky, Zach LaVine, Otto Porter Jr., Lauri Markkanen, and Wendell Carter Jr.; off the bench, Kris Dunn, Coby White, and Thaddeus Young.

Based solely off of Wins above replacement added and lost, the Bulls are predicted to win an extra 7 games. However these projections may have undersold Coby White, who has played very well in the preseason, and improvements from Markkanen. Their additions in the offseason coupled with improvements from their young players, will result in significantly more wins for the Bulls. They should be dark-horse playoff contenders, but I think they’re still a year or two away.

9. Detroit Pistons

Last season, the Detroit Pistons, led by the front court duo of Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond, squeezed into the playoffs as a .500 team. The only significant losses from the team this offseason were Zaza Pachulia and Wayne Ellington, and their only notable signings this offseason were Derrick Rose and Markieff Morris. These signings will definitely have a positive impact on the Pistons.

Last season Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond had terrific seasons, as both were top 30 in PER and top 25 in win shares. Their starting lineup for next season is projected to be: Reggie Jackson, Bruce Brown, Tony Snell, Blake Griffin, Andre Drummond, and off the bench: Derrick Rose, Luke Kennard, and Markieff Morris. The additions of Derrick Rose and Markieff Morris, along with improvements from Luke Kennard probably won’t cause significant improvement. It took an All-NBA season from Blake Griffin for the Pistons to sneak into the playoffs, and he’ll have to replicate that performance just to give his team a chance. They Pistons will be playoff contenders, but I project that they’ll barely miss out.

8. Orlando Magic

This offseason did not bring about many changes for the Orlando Magic. After winning 43 games as the 8th seed last year, they lost Timofey Mozgov and acquired Al-Faruq Aminu. They also hope that 2017’s #1 pick Markelle Fultz will now be healthy, but in the minutes he’s played through his career he’s appeared to be a complete bust. 2nd year player Mo Bamba has exhibited immense potential, averaging 10 points on 59% from the field and 46% from three. Their projected starting lineup for next season is: DJ Augustin, Evan Fournier, Jonathan Isaac, Aaron Gordan, and Nikola Vucevic.

Vucevic is easily the Magic’s best player, returning from his first all-star season. If he can maintain production and if Mo Bamba and Jonathan Isaac can improve, the Magic should be at a similar level to last season. They barely made the playoffs last year, and I project them to do the same this year.

7. Miami Heat

Predicting where the Miami Heat will land in the Eastern Conference is very difficult. The Heat have barely missed the playoffs for the past two years, but they added All-Star Jimmy Butler in exchange for their starting shooting guard, Josh Richardson. They also have a promising young player Tyler Herro who they drafted with the 13th pick and who could make an impact as a shooter. Their projected starting lineup is: Goran Dragic, Tyler Herro, Jimmy Butler, Kelly Olynyk, and Bam Adebayo, as well as Justice Winslow off the bench. Young players Winslow and Adebayo could also have breakout seasons, and the team should definitely improve. While I’m only project them at the 7th seed, they could finish much higher.

6. Indiana Pacers

Midway through the 2018-2019 NBA season, the Indiana Pacers lost their best player, Victor Oladipo, to injury. Without Oladipo, the Pacers went 16-19. At this pace, over the course of 82 games, they would only win about 37 games. Oladipo is expected to return around January, and with Oladipo last year, the Pacers went 32-15, which was on pace to win 56 games. The determining factor will be how they fare without Oladipo and how soon Oladipo is able to return.

This offseason the Pacers acquired Malcolm Brogdon, Jeremy Lamb, and T.J. Warren, all who will likely have significant roles. However, they also lost many key players, including Bojan Bogdanovic, Thadeus Young, and Wesley Matthews. Their projected starting lineup for this season is: Malcolm Brogdon, Jeremy Lamb, T.J. Warren, Domantas Sabonis, and Myles Turner (with Oladipo replacing Lamb when he returns). Comparing the estimated wins above replacement lost vs wins above replacement gained, the Pacers actually had one of the worst off seasons, with a -2.2 net change. Their main hope will be that newly acquired point guard, and former Rookie of the Year, Malcom Brogdon has a breakout season. The Pacers will likely struggle without Oladipo in the regular season, but they’ll be one of the most dangerous teams in the playoffs assuming he returns to full form.