Cavaliers
The Cavs have played well led by SG Donovan Mitchell who has been a scoring machine holding on to the 6th spot despite the injuries. PG Darius Garland has returned from injury playing well also. 2nd year player SG/SF Jaylon Tyson has been a good surprise while moving into the starting lineup at times with good outside shooting and rebounding. PF Evan Mobley continues to expand his game as the X-factor on the team. F De’Andre Hunter has been a solid two-way glue guy this season. SG/SF Sam Merrill has been a solid floor spacer from 3 when healthy. They have good guard/wing depth but might want to add a backup big.
Magic
The Magic was everybody’s favorite team to improve, but they have dealt with injuries also. SF Franz Wagner led the team while F Paolo Banchero was out but has since suffered his own injury. Banchero has taken over his usual spot as the #1 option on the team playing well. The addition of SG Desmond Bane has been a solid move providing solid all-around play and much needed floor spacing. PG Jalen Suggs has been healthier than recent seasons filling in as the starting PG. G/F Anthony Black has been able to take the next step while filling in for Suggs or coming off the bench. C Wendell Carter Jr. has played well showing less inconsistency and improved rebounding.
Heat
The Heat have played well despite the injuries mostly due to the addition of SG/SF Norman Powell who has been a scoring machine especially from deep giving much needed floor spacing. PF/C Bam Adebayo continues to be a solid two-way player at both positions. F Andrew Wiggins has quietly had a consistent season with solid all-around play. PG Davion Mitchell continues to play well as the starter with improved passing similar to last season. Young C Kel’el Ware has been a rebounding machine starting or off the bench. The team continues to get production from their young forward in Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jovic, and Pelle Larsson. G Tyler Herro is healthy again and should help the team improve.
Bulls
The Bulls started the season as the #1 seed and looked as if this year could be different, but things have changed due to injuries and ineffective play. The trade for PG Josh Giddey has paid off with him as the #1 option giving solid all-around production. C Nikola Vucevic continues to be the #2 option on the team despite the constant trade rumors, but he could be moved on his expiring contract. Young PF Matas Buzelis continues to grow as a solid offensive player with a good all-around game. SG Coby White has dealt with injuries but has provided good scoring when healthy. Addition F Isaac Okoro has shown good defense and a slightly increased offensive game but continues to be inconsistent. The Bulls might need to sell with only Giddey, Buzelis, and maybe White looking like long-term pieces.
Hawks
The Hawks were playing well early in the season despite an injury to PG Trae Young. The team has been led by F Jalen Johnson who been a triple-double machine showing improved all-around play. The addition of C Kristaps Porzingis paid off early in the season before injury with his two-way game and outside shooting. Addition SG/SF Nickeil Alexander-Walker has also played well with increased playing time and hasn’t let up his role as #2 option. G/F Dyson Daniels continues to bring solid play on and off ball as one of the best perimeter defenders in the league with a growing offensive and passing game. C Onyeka Okongwu has played well whether starting or off the bench continuing to improve. The Hawks have a solid young athletic team and players to build with. Trae is on the trade block, but the team can still improve with the depth they have.
