NBA East enters new season with major moves and returning stars

The 2026-27 NBA season is less than a week away, and the Eastern Conference has changed significantly since last season. LeBron James and Jaylen Brown have joined the Philadelphia 76ers, Giannis Antetokounmpo has moved to the Miami Heat, and Kawhi Leonard is now with the Toronto Raptors.

The conference also welcomes back Jayson Tatum for the Boston Celtics and Tyrese Haliburton for the Indiana Pacers. Their returns add to an East in which the New York Knicks are defending a championship and the Detroit Pistons are coming off a 60-win season.

Returning stars reshape the contenders

Boston won 56 games last season despite Tatum playing very little. With Tatum back, Paul George and Mitchell Robinson joining the squad, and Jaylen Brown gone, the Celtics face a different challenge despite retaining much of the group that succeeded in the regular season.

Indiana’s change could be just as significant. The Pacers won 19 games last season, but Haliburton returns to a side that came within one win of the NBA championship in 2025. Ivica Zubac has replaced Myles Turner, giving coach Rick Carlisle a different option at centre alongside Pascal Siakam and Andrew Nembhard.

Miami finished 43-39 last season before adding Antetokounmpo. His partnership with Bam Adebayo gives the Heat a formidable defensive pairing, although fitting the two together in half-court offence remains a question. Toronto, meanwhile, has Kawhi Leonard.

Champions and challengers face fresh tests

New York won 53 regular-season games on its way to a first championship since 1973. The Knicks have retained much of their title-winning group, but Mitchell Robinson has departed, and managing the workload of their starters may matter as they prepare for another postseason run.

Detroit’s 60-22 record was the best among the teams covered here, yet Tobias Harris’s departure leaves more offensive responsibility with Cade Cunningham. The Pistons retain a strong defensive foundation and have added shooting through Isaiah Joe, while John Collins offers another option alongside Cunningham.

Elsewhere, the Atlanta Hawks have added Lu Dort and Aaron Wiggins after a 46-win campaign. The Charlotte Hornets must adjust to life without LaMelo Ball, with Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel and Coby White dealing with injuries to start the season.