Overview

• Two superstar Achilles injuries have removed established contenders in Boston and Indiana, softening the East and creating opportunity for climbers.
• The Celtics executed cost-cutting moves after Tatum’s tear, trading Jrue Holiday for Anfernee Simons and offloading Kristaps Porziņģis; they sit below the second apron but roughly $12 million over the tax line, an estimated $40 million bill per capsheets.com.
• Boston enters an experimental phase with unsettled roles, including whether Anfernee Simons or Payton Pritchard starts next to Derrick White, and a thin frontcourt rotation after multiple departures.
• The Pacers shifted course after Haliburton’s Finals Game 7 injury and Myles Turner’s move to the Bucks, adding Jay Huff, James Wiseman, and rookie Kam Jones as short-term frontcourt options.
• Coverage projects Indiana to slide Andrew Nembhard to point guard with Bennedict Mathurin starting and heavier usage for Pascal Siakam, while the 76ers largely run back last season’s core in hopes of healthier returns and internal growth.