Boston Celtics
Last Season
41-40 (seventh in East)
Additions
Kelly Olynyk, Gerald Wallace, Kris Humphries, Keith Bogans, MarShon Brooks, Vitor Faverani, Phil Pressey
Departures
Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Jason Terry, Fab Melo, D.J. White
Possible starting five
g - Rajon Rondo
g - Avery Bradley
f - Jeff Green
f - Jared Sullinger
c - Kris Humphries
The burning questions
1. Will Rajon Rondo return to his best following a knee injury?
2. How much will the loss of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Jason Terry hurt?
3. Can Jeff Green step up and elevate his game to that next level?
4. Is Kris Humphries going to find his best form now that his legal battle with Kim Kardashian is over?
5. How big an impact can Kelly Olynyk make in his rookie season?
Prediction
Many will write off the Celtics this season because of the departure of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Jason Terry, but there is still enough talent there for them to feature in the post-season.
However, everything will need to go right for them if they are to do so and it will be imperative that Rajon Rondo returns to his best form if they are to prove to be a formidable team.
Youngsters like Avery Bradley, Jared Sullinger and Kelly Olynyk are all good players so don't be surprised if the Celtics go better than expected this season.
Brooklyn Nets
Last Season
49-33 (fourth in East)
Additions
Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Jason Terry, Andrei Kirilenko, Alan Anderson, Shaun Livingston, Mason Plumlee
Departures
Gerald Wallace, Keith Bogans, MarShon Brooks, Kris Humphries, Damion James
Possible starting five
g - Deron Williams
g - Joe Johnson
f - Paul Pierce
f - Kevin Garnett
c - Brook Lopez
The burning questions
1. Can all those stars possibly gel?
2. Will Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett fit in well?
3. Can Deron Williams keep everyone happy in his role as point-guard?
4. Will we see the best of Andrei Kirilenko in his role as sixth man?
5. Will Brook Lopez become a better player with so many stars around him?
Prediction
With all the moves the Nets have made in the off-season it is hard to think they won't be in contention for the title this season.
But whether they have all the pieces in the puzzle to get past the Miami Heat and go all the way remains to be seen as team chemistry is sure to be a concern early on in the season.
The rivalry between the Heat and the Nets promises to be an exciting one to watch as the season progresses and it would be no surprise to see the two teams battling it out for the Eastern Conference title.
New York Knicks
Last Season
54-28 (second in East)
Additions
Andrea Bargnani, Metta World Peace, Beno Udrih, Tim Hardaway Jr., Jeremy Tyler, C.J. Leslie
Departures
Jason Kidd, Marcus Camby, Steve Novak, Kurt Thomas, Rasheed Wallace, James White
Possible starting five
g - Raymond Felton
g - Iman Shumpert
f - Carmelo Anthony
f - Andrea Bargnani
c - Tyson Chandler
The burning questions
1. Is it possible to see the Knicks have another 54-win season?
2. Can Carmelo Anthony maintain his best form?
3. Will Metta World Peace fit in at his new club?
4. What will Andrea Bargnani and Amar'e Stoudemire contribute?
5. Can Tyson Chandler stay injury free?
Prediction
The Knicks might find it tough to win their division given the depth at the Nets, but they still have enough talent at their disposal to be a big player at the pointy end of the post-season.
They will be disappointed by the way they fell out of the title race against the Pacers last season and have added a couple of handy players in the off-season - Andrea Bargnani and Metta World Peace - in an attempt to improve their deficiencies at the defensive end.
A title might be out of range for the Knicks, but they are more than capable of having another good season and pushing most of the teams in the league.
Philadelphia 76ers
Last Season
34-48 (ninth in East)
Additions
Nerlens Noel, Michael Carter-Williams, Darius Morris, Royce White, Tony Wroten Jr., Darius Morris
Departures
Jrue Holiday, Andrew Bynum
Possible starting five
g - Michael Carter-Williams
g - James Anderson
f - Evan Turner
f - Thaddeus Young
c - Spencer Hawes
The burning questions
1. Can Michael Carter-Williams make the jump from college star to NBA regular?
2. Is Thaddeus Young capable of making this team his own?
3. Is Spencer Hawes good enough to be a starting centre?
4. Will Nerlens Noel see any action in his rookie season?
5. How will former San Antonio Spurs assistant Brett Brown cope in his first full-time coaching job in the NBA?
Prediction
It could be a long season for the 76ers as their young team attempts to gel under new coach Brett Brown.
The 76ers made some big moves in the off-season by getting rid of Andrew Bynum and Jrue Holiday, but some shrewd drafting means the future already looks bright for the franchise.
However, there could be a year or two of pain as the team gets used to playing with each other and the 76ers will find it extremely hard to match their 34-win season from last campaign.
Toronto Raptors
Last Season
34-48 (10th in East)
Additions
D.J. Augustin, Tyler Hansbrough, Dwight Buycks, Austin Daye, Steve Novak
Departures
Andrea Bargnani, Alan Anderson, Linas Kleiza, John Lucas III, Mickael Pietrus, Sebastian Telfair
Possible starting five
g - Kyle Lowry
g - Rudy Gay
f - DeMar DeRozan
f - Amir Johnson
c - Jonas Valanciunas
The burning questions
1. Can Rudy Gay lead this team back into the playoffs?
2. Is Jonas Valanciunas the next dominant big man in the league?
3. Will we finally see the best of DeMar DeRozan?
4. Is the departure of Andrea Bargnani going to hurt?
5. Will Kyle Lowry stay injury free?
Prediction
The Raptors have all the makings of a pretty good side and should be able to reach the playoffs with a bit of luck.
Rudy Gay and Kyle Lowry can form an imposing back-court combination, while Jonas Valanciunas could be set for a big season providing he can stay fit.
They can't win the title this season, but expect the Raptors to improve enough to reach the post-season and register a winning season.
Predicted division standings
1. Brooklyn Nets
2. New York Knicks
3. Toronto Raptors
4. Boston Celtics
5. Philadelphia 76ers