NBA 2019 Eastern Conference: 5 underrated teams to watch this year

Jimmy Butler
Jimmy Butler

Every NBA season we see the usual teams move forward to the playoffs such as the Golden State Warriors, Toronto Raptors, Houston Rockets, Boston Celtics etc. But while the pressure is on them to make it to the playoffs from the start of the season, there are plenty of other teams that surprise the league with their performance.

Last season we saw the Los Angeles Clippers perform well enough to reach the first round of playoffs. We also saw Indiana Pacers, who had lost their up-and-coming All-Star player midway through the season, surprise everyone.

It's not easy to predict which teams will make it to the playoffs besides the usual names. Then again, some teams that were considered guarantees to make the playoffs did not make it last season - the Los Angeles Lakers is a good example.

On that note, here are my top 5 underrated teams to look out for in the Eastern Conference this season.


#5 Chicago Bulls

2019 NBA Draft
2019 NBA Draft

Some will question why the Chicago Bulls are on the list of underrated teams, but the answer is simple: they have a group of young players who are potential stars. This off-season, they acquired point guard Tomas Satoranksy from a sign-and-trade with the Washington Wizards, signed power forward Thaddeus Young, and drafted point guard Coby White in the 2019 NBA Draft with the 7th overall pick.

They already have Zach Lavine, Lauri Markkanen, Kris Dunn and Otto Porter Jr. who are still in their prime. Porter was traded mid-season in 2018 by the Wizards and made an immediate impact on the team with his shooting abilities. It will be interesting to see who gets the start among these players; here is my prediction for the starting 5:

PG: Tomas Satoransky

SG: Zach LaVine

SF: Otto Porter Jr.

PF: Lauri Markkanen

C: Wendell Carter Jr.

#4 Orlando Magic

Orlando Magic v Miami Heat
Orlando Magic v Miami Heat

Is it just me or do we tend to forget that the Orlando Magic exist? One way or the other, the Magic always seem to be an "under the radar" team when it comes to the Eastern Conference.

They did make the playoffs last season for the first time since the 2011-2012 season, but ended up losing to the Toronto Raptors in the first round. Now that the Eastern Conference is up for grabs, the Magic could be a team to look out for and a real threat to the other teams.

With a solid starting 5 consisting of point guard D.J. Augustin, shooting guard Evan Fournier, small forward Johnathan Isaac, power forward Aaron Gordon and center Nikola Vucevic, the Magic certainly have the pieces to make the playoffs this upcoming season.

Don't forget that they also have Mo Bamba, Terrence Ross and Markelle Fultz (who they traded for last season), who all complement the starting 5. I particularly look forward to seeing what Fultz is able to do with his new team.

#3 Indiana Pacers

Indiana Pacers v Cleveland Cavaliers - Game One
Indiana Pacers v Cleveland Cavaliers - Game One

It was unfortunate to see All-Star Victor Oladipo go down with a ruptured quad tendon in late January of last season, which made many believe that the Indiana Pacers would not make it to the playoffs. They eventually did, but lost four straight to the Boston Celtics in the first round.

The Pacers have not moved past the first round since the 2015-2016 season, but that could change this season.

With some new faces on the team, including Malcolm Brogdon (traded from the Milwaukee Bucks), T.J. Warren (traded from the Phoenix Suns) and Jeremy Lamb (signed from free-agency), the Pacers certainly have a lethal but underrated shooting team.

While Oladipo will likely not be ready for the start of the season, the Pacers have enough ingredients to win games until he returns to the floor.

#2 Detroit Pistons

Milwaukee Bucks v Detroit Pistons - Game Four
Milwaukee Bucks v Detroit Pistons - Game Four

The Detroit Pistons will certainly be a team to watch in the 2019 season. Just coming off a 41-41 record last season and a playoff appearance as the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference, the Pistons definitely have a chance to make the playoffs again and possibly further.

While the Pistons retained most of their starting players, they also signed point guard Derrick Rose, who had a tremendous comeback season in 2018 with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Pistons traded for big man Thon Maker from the Milwaukee Bucks in February of 2018, which was huge for them since they were in need of a player who can play defense.

In the off-season, they traded for yet another big man Tony Snell, who came from the Bucks as well. Lastly, they signed Markieff Morris and Tim Frazier, and drafted Sekou Doumbouya with the 15th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.

To some, it may seem like a quiet off-season for the Pistons. But they did not lose their starting 5 and were able to get several key players to help the team on both offense and defense.

Keep an eye out for the Pistons to make some noise this season.

#1 Miami Heat

Philadelphia 76ers v Miami Heat
Philadelphia 76ers v Miami Heat

Over the past four seasons the Miami Heat have been in and out of the playoffs, having missed the bus in 2014, 2016 and 2018. But they made a rather interesting move this off-season, trading for All-Star Jimmy Butler in a sign-and-trade deal.

It was rumored that the Heat (and Butler) wanted at least another star on the team and targeted Washington Wizards shooting guard Bradley Beal. But those rumors were quickly shut down by Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard, who said that Beal is not available for trade at all.

There were also rumors that point guard Chris Paul could be traded to the Heat, but that did not happen either.

Still, the Heat definitely have a chance of making it to the playoffs this coming season. The addition of Butler will help the Heat on both sides of the floor, and they have an already proven group of players and an experienced head coach to go with that.

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Edited by Musab Abid