The first few games of the NBA season have given us an insightful look into which teams are better or worse than a year ago. One telling metric is defensive rating.

The irony of the 2025-26 NBA season is that it is simultaneously extremely predictable and an unpredictable mess. We can say pretty confidently who's going to be at the top. The Thunder are leaps and bounds ahead of the field on paper.

Our writers share their early predictions for how the Eastern Conference standings could take shape in the 2025-26 season.

Discover who Austin Reaves is and learn about his biography, education, and breakout NBA journey with the Lakers. From undrafted guard to key player in the 2025 NBA standings.

What better time to make a prediction for the the NBA's final standings than three games into the current regular season? It may seem preemptive, sure, but diag