Injuries to Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton reshuffle the East’s top tier, but Orlando’s front office believes the conference remains deep and ready to pop. Weltman argues the East’s strength will keep evolving, and the Magic could ride the wave if health and timing align.

Cleveland and New York are favorites to crawl out of the East, with Atlanta, Detroit and Milwaukee on the next tier. Orlando’s own Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, plus Desmond Bane, could spark a late-season push that reshapes fantasy value across the conference.

Expect rotation shifts, rising bench contributions, and new breakout candidates as teams navigate a season where injuries don’t decide, only influence outcomes.