Atlantic Division
Celtics | Nets | Knicks | 76ers | Raptors
With NBA training camps starting later this month, it’s time to take a tour of each division and examine the changes, starting with the Atlantic today.
No division saw a shakeup quite like the Atlantic, with the biggest tremor coming from an in-division swap between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers. With Jaylen Brown joining the Sixers – followed by LeBron James – the rivalry got even spicier. Everyone has taken notice, including the defending champion New York Knicks.
Boston Celtics
Jayson Tatum is set for his first full season since suffering an Achilles injury – without Jaylen Brown, who was traded to Philadelphia.
With an injured Jayson Tatum on the mend for all but the last few weeks of the regular season, the Celtics used an MVP-level effort from Brown to go 56-26 – before faltering in the first round of the postseason.
Offseason Moves
• Additions: F Chris Cenac Jr., G Mike Conley, F Paul George, F Dillon Mitchell, C Mitchell Robinson
• Subtractions: F Dalano Banton, F Jaylen Brown, G Max Shulga, C Nikola Vučević
2026-27 season outlook
Celtics president Brad Stevens and his team made a bold move in trading Brown to the rival Sixers, no less, as Stevens felt it necessary to part ways.
And now the Celtics will discover soon enough how much his loss will affect a team that’s just three years removed from a championship. In Brown’s place is George, who was once an MVP finalist himself, but that was nearly seven years ago. George remains a solid two-way player on his best nights, but his high-level consistency began to wane the last few years.
Therefore, much will fall on the shoulders of Tatum, who’s very likely qualified to do plenty of heavy lifting if necessary. If Boston gets that and a bounce-back from George and Derrick White, a return to the postseason seems realistic.
Brooklyn Nets
Mikel Brown Jr. was selected No. 6 by the Nets in the 2026 NBA Draft.
The Nets shoveled minutes to a nucleus of young players and the result was predictable, as they finished 20-62, fifth in the Atlantic Division.
Offseason Moves
• Additions: F Tyler Bilodeau, G Mikel Brown Jr., G Keon Ellis, F Joshua Jefferson, F Julius Randle, C Moritz Wagner
• Subtractions: G Ochai Agbaji, C Nic Claxton, G Malachi Smith, F Ziaire Williams, F Jalen Wilson
2026-27 season outlook
A year ago, the Nets kept and used all five of their first-round draft picks. This summer, Brooklyn chose to give overworked forward Michael Porter Jr. some immediate help instead. It resulted in a trade for Randle, a former All-NBA player who is no stranger to New York; some of his best years were spent with the Knicks.
Brown Jr. was taken at No. 6 and brings solid combo guard skills from his college days at Louisville. He has a decent chance to earn front-end rotational minutes right away; such is the benefit of joining a team in transition. An additional first-rounder arrived in the Randle trade and the Nets used that pick, No. 28 overall, on Jefferson.
The Nets are hoping for an improved season if only because this draft-happy team doesn’t control its No. 1 pick next season; the Rockets hold swap rights.
New York Knicks
The New York Knicks won the 2026 NBA Championship over the San Antonio Spurs.
A 53-year dry spell ended in the Knick of time as New York finally held a basketball parade after a 53-29 record and an NBA championship.
Offseason Moves
• Additions: C Andre Drummond, F Tyler Nickel
• Subtractions: C Ariel Hukporti, C Mitchell Robinson, F Jeremy Sochan
2026-27 season outlook
After five decades, it’s safe to say the Knicks have not only brought themselves some goodwill, but also some time, even in a demanding city such as New York.
Which is to say, there’s no pressure on the Knicks to repeat as champions. But the talent and desire are there anyway. And that goes even without Robinson, the biggest departure from the championship team. As is the case in these situations, not everyone gets paid, and Robinson went to Boston for his next check.
As insurance, the Knicks added Drummond, still a solid rebounder, to back up Karl-Anthony Towns. And that was the extent of the Knicks’ offseason.
Anyway, with Towns, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart and, of course, 2026 Finals MVP Jalen Brunson, the Knicks will flex more than enough credibility in their quest to make the next championship wait in New York measured by months, not years.
Philadelphia 76ers
Jaylen Brown is looking to make a great impact in the Philadelphia Community.
Another injury-plagued stretch by Joel Embiid pumped the brakes on championship contention, yet the Sixers managed to finish 45-37 and advance to the conference semifinals.
Offseason Moves
• Additions: F Jaylen Brown, G Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, F Ariel Hukporti, F LeBron James, G Labaron Philon Jr., G Anfernee Simons, F Dean Wade
• Subtractions: F Johni Broome, C Andre Drummond, F Paul George, G Quentin Grimes, G Kyle Lowry, F Kelly Oubre Jr., F Dalen Terry, G-F Trendon Watford
2026-27 season outlook
Whether the results of the Sixers’ season will match the expectations entering remains to be seen. Until then, the Sixers will be a most intriguing and watched team, and that would’ve been true even if their offseason addition was restricted to former rival Brown.
But by signing with Philly over other possible destinations, LeBron sent the interest in the Sixers through the roof.
Brown and LeBron join Embiid, a former MVP, All-NBA guard Tyrese Maxey and All-Rookie guard VJ Edgecombe to give Philly arguably the best starting five in the league. If LeBron’s age and Embiid’s health cooperate, the Sixers could be poised to celebrate their first title since 1983.
Toronto Raptors
After a successful rookie season, Collin Murray-Boyles hopes to take his game to the next level.
The Raptors grabbed the East’s No. 5 seed and went to a Game 7 in the first round of the playoffs.
Offseason moves
• Additions: F Kyle Anderson, G Jaden Bradley, F Allen Graves
• Subtractions: G A.J. Lawson, F Sandro Mamukelashvili, F Jonathan Mogbo, G Garrett Temple
2026-27 season outlook
There aren’t many teams more well-rounded offensively than the Raptors, who have three and on some nights four players capable of scoring 20 points while bringing a handful of decent defenders as well.
This will benefit the Raptors as they attempt to navigate an improved East, where an array of returning playoff teams made moves to improve.
As for the Raptors, the hope is for improvement from within, and the signs are positive. It starts with Collin Murray-Boyles, who developed gradually in his rookie season and played better than expected in the postseason. He has good post moves and a touch around the rim. Also, guards Ja’Kobe Walter and Jamal Shead are seemingly on that trajectory as well.
This is a great sign for a club attempting to build around Scottie Barnes. With Barnes, RJ Barrett and an emerging supporting cast, the Raptors are well-armed to make a postseason return.
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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.
