The wide open East

The NBA offseason has been busy across the league's landscape with several prominent players relocating, or in LeBron James' case, returning home.

Taking into consideration LeBron's 'announcement', and the resulting shift of power in the Eastern Conference, it seems that the East is wide-open heading into next season. While the Cavaliers may be the on-paper (and Las Vegas) favorites, there are several other squads that could contend to be the Eastern Conference's representative in the NBA Finals. Let's take a look:


1. Cleveland Cavaliers: The addition of the game's best player will turn any team into an immediate contender, and in Cleveland's case, the team has some other talent as well. Pairing James with All-Star Game MVP Kyrie Irving, and the past two number one picks, Anthony Bennett and Andrew Wiggins, is a formidable formula. The team has also added consistent, solid shooters in James Jones, Mike Miller, and Ray Allen, who will provide LeBron with some perimeter production. While the team does not seem to be done making moves, they already have a solid base to build upon. They are the favorites in the East at this point.

2. Chicago Bulls: The Bulls are back. Maybe. Former NBA MVP Derrick Rose will be returning to the roster this season, and if he able to return to the level of play he displayed before his injury, the Bulls become an automatic threat. Rose is not alone however, as he will be joined in Chicago by 4x NBA All-Star Pau Gasol, and 2014 lottery pick Doug McDermott, who will supply some much needed perimeter production. Factor in the Rose return and other additions, and the Bulls appear pretty formidable.

Image from jlcauvin.com

3. Indiana Pacers: The Pacers may be less potent with the loss of Lance Stephenson, but they are still a solid squad. Unfortunately for the Pacers, they may have peaked as currently constructed, and large contracts tied to Paul George and Roy Hibbert greatly limit their ability to add more meaningful talent. Nonetheless, the team is still talented enough to contend in the East.

4. Miami Heat: No LeBron, big problem. LeBron left Miami and took with him the team's title chances. Pat Riley recovered nicely by locking up the other two members of the big three - Bosh and Wade, and adding Luol Deng. The team is talented, and is still good enough to make a playoff push and even win a round or two. But, if they team couldn't take home the title last season with LeBron, it is difficult to image them taking it home without him.

5. Washington Wizards: The Wizards are a team on the up-and-up, and the continued development of Bradley Beal and John Wall should plant the Wiz firmly in the playoff picture. The Wizards have decent depth, and made a couple off-season signings (see: Paul Pierce) to sturdy up the roster. After a second-round playoff appearance last season, expectations are high in Washington.

6. Charlotte Hornets: It feels good to begin to type Charlotte and have it followed by 'Hornets' rather than by 'Bobcats.' It is not only the team name that has improved however, as the Hornets are much improved on the hardwoord. Starting with a solid draft day haul of Noah Vonleh and P.J. Hairston, and followed by the additions of Marvin Williams and Lance Stephenson, Charlotte had a busy offseason. Michael Jordan did his best to make the franchise formidable again, and while they might be a couple years away from true contention, the Hornets are certainly starting to put some pieces in place.

Throw in the Raptors, who will look to continue their momentum from last season, and the improved Hawks, and the East appears to be as formitable, and as wide-open as it has been in a while. It certainly should be an exciting, and interesting season.