Southeast Division
Hawks | Hornets | Heat | Magic | Wizards
If a generational talent makes all the difference, then Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Heat will make a strong attempt to regain control of the division. But the Hawks, fortified by Oklahoma City Thunder imports, won’t surrender easily.
Atlanta Hawks
After receiving his first All-Star nod, Jalen Johnson looks to spearhead the Hawks forward.
After trading Trae Young, the Hawks received a star turn by Jalen Johnson and not only went 46-36, but advanced to the first round of the postseason.
Offseason moves
• Additions: G Luguentz Dort, F Zuby Ejiofor, G Kingston Flemings, G Ryan Nembhard, C Henri Veesaar, G Aaron Wiggins
• Subtractions: C Tony Bradley, F Jonathan Kuminga, F Zaccharie Risacher, G Gabe Vincent, G Keaton Wallace
2026-27 season outlook
Is it possible that the Hawks significantly upgraded their team without adding a star or even a starter? Perhaps so, because the Hawks will bring a heavy rotation into next season and, at least on paper, appear to be an improved team and playoff contender.
Jalen Johnson remains this team’s lead singer, but the backups are bringing strong voices. Dort and Wiggins helped win championships in OKC, and Dort, in particular, gives Atlanta a strong 1-2 defensive punch with Dyson Daniels.
The Hawks re-signed CJ McCollum and suddenly, along with Nickeil Alexander-Walker, have ample shooters and scorers as well.
It’ll likely come down to the competition and also how Atlanta compensates for a lack of quality big men. This team could win 50 games or be forced to go through the SoFi Play-In Tournament.
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Charlotte Hornets
Kon Knueppel had a stellar rookie season, knocking down 273 3-pointers.
The Hornets turned the corner, even if marginally, by going 44-38 with a mostly young team and securing a spot in the Play-In Tournament.
Offseason moves
• Additions: G Christian Anderson, G Grayson Allen, F Dorian Finney-Smith, F Royce O’Neale, C Naz Reid, G Dennis Schröder, F Hannes Steinbach
• Subtractions: G LaMelo Ball, F Miles Bridges, G Josh Green, G Tre Mann, F Xavier Tillman
2026-27 season outlook
It’s rare when a team that rallies to a winning record decides to scrub its two best players, both just touching their prime, the very next offseason. Yet, the Hornets believed the deals for Ball and Bridges were too good and figured their roles and responsibilities would be replaced immediately.
The point guard now belongs to Coby White, who showed solid results since arriving from the Bulls, while Brandon Miller seems ready to be a top-15 scorer in the league and therefore makes the loss of Bridges’ buckets less worrisome.
Plus, the Hornets should get rotational production from Allen and Reid, who were crucial in Phoenix and Minnesota, respectively, last season. If the pieces and process come together quickly, a playoff appearance is possible.
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Miami Heat
A new-look Heat roster led by Giannis Antetokounmpo looks to make some noise in the East.
With Tyler Herro limited to just 33 games, Miami nonetheless toughed out a 43-39 finish and qualified for the Play-In Tournament.
Offseason moves
• Additions: F Giannis Antetokounmpo, G Ryan Conwell, G Tim Hardaway Jr., F Bobby Portis, C Nick Richards, G Klay Thompson
• Subtractions: G Tyler Herro, G Kasparas Jakučionis, G Jaime Jaquez Jr., G Norman Powell, C Kel’el Ware, G Jahmir Young
2026-27 season outlook
Pat Riley once again found a generational player for Miami and now the club begins its run under Giannis, who remains one of the most feared and impactful players in the league at both ends.
Of course, now Miami is on the clock with the 31-year-old two-time Kia MVP, who arrives with an injury history. Because Giannis relies so much on athleticism, he’ll need supremely good health if Miami has plans to go deep into the postseason.
At least he has the necessary sidekick in Bam Adebayo, who brings All-Star-level ability. Those two might be the best defensive duo in the league, based on reputation and results.
As usual in these situations, Miami surrendered rotational pieces in exchange for Giannis and therefore must find outside shooting and also get quality from what’s left of the supporting cast. Portis, Andrew Wiggins and Hardaway are all proven and capable of putting Miami in contention.
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Orlando Magic
The Magic look to improve from last season, with a new head coach at the helm.
Missing Franz Wagner for all but 34 games, the Magic scrambled to salvage a 45-37 season and reach the first round of the postseason.
Offseason moves
• Additions: F Izaiyah Nelson, C Nikola Vučević
• Subtractions: G Jett Howard, F Moritz Wagner
2026-27 season outlook
The Magic made a coaching change and hired Sean Sweeney to trigger better production from a team with postseason aspirations, but otherwise made no major changes to the rotation.
Actually, their biggest personnel moves were restricted to re-signings: Nikola Vučević, Jonathan Isaac and Jevon Carter, three players who figure into the rotation, all at an economical cost to the payroll.
Mainly, the Magic just want to remain healthy and see this group’s peak. That didn’t happen last season because of Wagner’s injuries, and also, Jalen Suggs appeared in just 57 games as well.
Therefore, the upcoming season will unlock clues and reveal whether this group needs more time, or if roster shuffling beckons either at the trade deadline or next summer.
That’ll be up to Sweeney and his system, and the chances of Wagner and Paolo Banchero going to a next level, if possible.
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Washington Wizards
No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa joins an exciting young Wizards squad.
Handcuffed by injuries to key players and devoting much of the season to developing young players, the Wizards went 17-65 and finished fifth in the Southeast Division.
Offseason moves
• Additions: C Deandre Ayton, F AJ Dybantsa, G Tre Mann, F Khris Middleton, C Felix Okpara
• Subtractions: F Anthony Gill, G Jaden Hardy, G D’Angelo Russell, F Cam Whitmore
2026-27 season outlook
Washington has reached the playoffs only once in the last eight years and hasn’t won a first-round series since 2017. Maybe the fortunes of the Wizards will take an uptick with Dybantsa, who has energized the fan base and raised expectations for this team. Dybantsa checks plenty of boxes and, even better, appears to be exactly what the Wizards need — an incoming talent with star potential. The franchise is starved for a game-changer.
They extended Trae Young, which gives them a quality passer who can help make the game easier for Alex Sarr and the rest of the abundance of young players on the roster.
A critical factor in the upcoming season will be the health, availability, and stay-ability of Anthony Davis. Is he part of the future, or does Washington represent a pit-stop? A healthy Davis remains a solid two-way player for Washington or someone else.
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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA since 1985. You can e-mail him at spowell@nba.com, find his archive here and follow him on X.
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