Orlando Magic Daily
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2017-18 NBA Eastern Conference Playoff Outlook: Preseason Edition

By Ryan Doyle

ORLANDO, FL - OCTOBER 13: Jonathon Simmons #17 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the preseason game on October 13, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - OCTOBER 13: Jonathon Simmons #17 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the preseason game on October 13, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Jonathon Simmons, Orlando Magic, Cleveland Cavaliers
ORLANDO, FL – OCTOBER 13: Jonathon Simmons #17 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the preseason game on October 13, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

It is no secret, but the Eastern Conference is weak. In a wide-open playoff race, the Orlando Magic could find a way to sneak into the postseason.

As chaos engulfed the NBA offseason, the Orlando Magic decided to stay relatively quiet. Orlando did not land a superstar or decide to clean house by trading pieces.

The rest of the conference did not follow suit. Paul George was sent to the Oklahoma City Thunder and Kyrie Irving made the move to the Boston Celtics. The New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls also moved on from stars Carmelo Anthony and Jimmy Butler.

Additionally, a handful of teams in the Eastern Conference decided to look toward the future. Both the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers have no expectations heading into the season and could potentially allow for young teams like the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic to slide up in the standings.

Still, the powerhouses in the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics remain. The top of the Eastern Conference will probably look the same. But, aside from those teams, the East might as well be the wild west.

The question on everyone’s mind is: Where does Orlando fit in?

On paper, most believe the Magic are returning to the lottery. But if players like Aaron Gordon and Elfrid Payton can take strides, Orlando just needs to play .500 basketball to return to the postseason.

Frankly, the Eastern Conference can be broken down into a handful of categories. The lottery-locks, the no-doubters, the probables and the borderline teams.

The lottery-locks feature teams like Chicago. Franchises that are building toward the future and have no expectations. While the no-doubters are the total opposite. The Clevelands of the conference led by superstars.

The probables and the borderline teams are almost in the same boat, but the probables have playoff-or-bust mentalities.