Biggest Question Marks for Every NBA Eastern Conference Team

You can check out our biggest questions surrounding each Western Conference team here.

The NBA free agency period began with several blockbuster trades and record-breaking deals, but there is still plenty of time left for even more league-altering moves. Here's a look at some questions for each Eastern Conference team for the remainder of the free agency period:

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Atlanta Hawks

Can the Hawks keep forward John Collins on the roster?

Collins has spent most of the summer listening to trade rumors. He's been linked to various teams, including the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, Sacramento Kings, Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, and Minnesota Timberwolves. As Collins enters his sixth season, the Hawks need to decide if he is part of the future or if they want to use him as the centerpiece in trade negotiations to build a stronger team.

Two years ago, they were two wins from the NBA Finals. After a loss to the Heat in the first round last season, it may be time to revamp the roster and Collins is the Hawks' best movable piece not named Trae Young.

Boston Celtics

Did the Celtics improve their second unit enough?

Even though the Celtics fell short against the Golden State Warriors, they kept their core together for another season. The starting lineup has never been an issue but now the Celtics feel they have enough depth to support Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Marcus Smart.

Danilo Gallinari and the trade for Malcolm Brogdon were their biggest additions during free agency. Gallinari, who is a proven scorer in the league, can provide depth at either forward position.

Talent has never been the question with Brogdon. When healthy, he is a dynamic scorer and playmaker. Unfortunately, Brogdon has played fewer than 65 games in the past five seasons. Last year, injuries limited him to just 36 games. 

Brooklyn Nets

Will the Nets find a team with enough assets to make trading Kevin Durant worth it?

Durant became the story of the free agency period when he requested a trade right at the start of it. When it was reported his top targets were the Heat and Phoenix Suns, most figured he would be moved by this point. Instead, the Suns re-signed Deandre Ayton and the Heat were unable to offer a suitable package for the future Hall of Famer.

With the Suns likely out of the picture because of Ayton, the Heat have time to revamp their offer. The Nets are reportedly seeking a deal that includes an All-Star-caliber player and multiple first-round draft picks. Some teams have said the asking price is too high, so the Nets could be waiting a while before finding their ideal package.

Charlotte Hornets

How are the Hornets going to handle the Miles Bridges situation?

The Bridges story has been the biggest in Charlotte this offseason. He was charged with one felony count of injuring a child's parent and two felony counts of child abuse on July 19, putting the Hornets organization in a tough position.

Bridges was supposed to cash in during free agency but remains a restricted free agent. Now, he must wait and see if a team is willing to ink him to a multi-year deal or if he can sign a qualifying offer. The Hornets also have the option of simply cutting ties with Bridges, who averaged 20.2 points, seven rebounds, and 3.8 assists last season.

Chicago Bulls

Is Zach LaVine enough for the Bulls to improve?

The Bulls put all their hopes in guard Zach LaVine by signing him to a max contract during free agency.

Their improvement will rely heavily on new additions Andre Drummond and Goran Dragic. Drummond has proven he can play at an All-Star level but can he regain it? The aging Dragic, 36, is playing on his third team since being traded from the Heat last summer.

The Bulls were the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference last year but the odds of improving are unlikely because so many teams got stronger. Eventually, Chicago has to decide if LaVine is the player to take it to another level or if it's time for a rebuild.

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Cleveland Cavaliers

Will the Cavs re-sign Collin Sexton?

Sexton, a lottery pick in 2018, remains one of the most high-profile restricted free agents remaining. He has averaged 20 points and 3.3 assists since entering the league but tore his meniscus at the beginning of the season.

The Cavs extended him a qualifying offer before free agency began but he is reportedly seeking a deal worth at least $80 million. Cleveland's best bet may be seeking a sign-and-trade option.

Detroit Pistons

Can the Pistons take advantage of the Jerami Grant trade?

Grant was the leading scorer for the Pistons last year, but they made sure to get full value for him in the offseason.

Trading Grant to the Portland Trail Blazers provided the Pistons with $44 million in cap space this summer. That allowed them to acquire Nerlens Noel, Alec Burks, and Jalen Duren.

Duren is the most promising of the group. He was the No. 13 pick in this year's draft, playing one season at the University of Memphis. While the Pistons may not improve immediately, they have building blocks in place for the future.

Indiana Pacers

What to do with Myles Turner?

After their attempt to acquire Deandre Ayton fell through, the Pacers now have to turn attention toward Turner. He has been on the trade block since the season ended but the Pacers are still in limbo with Turner. They have shown they are perhaps past Turner, so moving him could be essential in their rebuild.

With Turner entering the final year of a four-year, $80-million contract, the Pacers might as well get something for him now before he becomes a free agent next season.

Miami Heat

Do the Heat have enough to land Kevin Durant?

Heat team president Pat Riley likes to call it chasing a "whale." That's what the Heat will do the next month or so in their pursuit of Durant. Miami was just one victory shy of reaching the NBA Finals last year, but it needs another superstar to compete with the Warriors and Celtics.

The Nets have said the Heat lack the assets to acquire Durant, but Riley has already started trying to acquire draft picks so they can make a stronger pitch.

Milwaukee Bucks

Do the Bucks have enough around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton?

The Bucks were in the middle of a potential repeat until it unraveled with an injury to Middleton in the first round. Their playoff run ended with a loss to the Celtics in the conference semifinals.

The addition of Joe Ingles from the Utah Jazz should improve depth at the wing position. They also drafted MarJon Beauchamp in the first round at No. 24.

New York Knicks

Can the Knicks lure Donovan Mitchell from the Utah Jazz?

The Knicks are one of the few teams that have enough assets — mainly draft picks — to land Mitchell. After saying he was off the trading block, the Jazz are now shopping Mitchell this summer. The Knicks have eight first-round picks to choose from to include in a package for Mitchell.

Mitchell, who is a New York native, is drawing interest from several teams, so it won't be a slam dunk for the Knicks.

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Orlando Magic

After a strong showing in the Summer League, is top pick Paolo Banchero ready to lead?

The Magic are so confident in Banchero that they only needed to see him twice during Summer League in Las Vegas.

He averaged 20 points, six assists, and five rebounds in two games, so the franchise sent him home. They said it was because the coaches wanted to evaluate the other summer league players, but the reality is they had already seen enough.

Banchero, the No. 1 pick out of Duke, has shown he is comfortable in the spotlight. Now, the Magic want it to carry over to the regular season. He was a surprise pick ahead of Chet Holmgren but his showing this summer proves he may have been the best choice.

Philadelphia 76ers

Is P.J. Tucker the x-factor needed to push the Sixers over the hump?

Tucker had success in his previous two stops. He helped lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a championship in 2021. He then almost played a role in the Miami Heat making the NBA Finals last season, falling just one victory short in the Eastern Conference finals.

His summer acquisition was the biggest news for the Sixers because they lacked an intangibles player. His presence should make things much easier for James Harden and Joel Embiid and this could be finally the year the Sixers make their move.

Toronto Raptors

Can Otto Porter make a difference with the Raptors?

The Raptors' season ended with a loss to the Sixers in the first round but are hoping their top free agent signee can lead to a longer run in the postseason.

Otto Porter Jr. is coming off a championship season with the Golden State Warriors. He will add to a strong lineup that already includes Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, Scottie Barnes, and Fred VanVleet. The Raptors signed Porter to a two-year deal, which Bleacher Report rated as the fifth-best signing during free agency.

While Porter hasn't produced jaw-dropping numbers in his career, he will bring intangibles and experience to the young Raptors.

Washington Wizards

Did the Wizards make a mistake by re-signing Bradley Beal?

The Wizards got their franchise player by inking Beal to a five-year, $251-million max deal that includes a no-trade clause.

But was it worth it?

Beal has put up solid numbers during his Wizards career, but they have yet to get past the second round of the playoffs. At 29, Beal isn't getting any younger and the Wizards won't be a contender any time soon. Perhaps this was the best time to trade Beal for some valuable rebuilding pieces.

Management, obviously, felt otherwise.

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