Are Washington Wizards Underrated in Eastern Conference Rankings?

The Washington Wizards are ranked as the 12th best team in the Eastern Conference. Talk about disrespect. Coming into this season, the Wizards have two all-star caliber players in Trae Young and Anthony Davis, No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa, and rising stars like Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson, and Will Riley.

NBA.com ranked the Charlotte Hornets at No. 11. The Hornets just lost LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges and will now rely on players like Kon Knueppel, Brandon Miller, and Naz Reid. In what world are Knueppel, Miller, and Reid better than Young and Davis?

Let's not forget that Trae Young and Anthony Davis combine for 14 NBA All-Star selections, Young led the league in assists (11.6 per game) during the 2024-25 season, and Davis is an NBA champion.

At No.10 are the Orlando Magic. That's surprisingly low after finishing with 45 wins last season, the return of stars like Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Desmond Bane, and the addition of veteran center Nikola Vučević. Perhaps a team this good drops that low after losing in the first round of the playoffs.

Orlando doesn't have much depth after their star players. The Magic are left with players like Jalen Suggs, Anthony Black, and Wendell Carter Jr. Washington arrives with more depth: Tre Johnson, Will Riley, Bub Carrington, Bilal Coulibaly, Justin Champagnie, and Khris Middleton. The more depth, the more likely a team will win down the stretch. The Wizards should rank above the Magic.

The Atlanta Hawks come in at No. 9. and are a team that runs deep. Players returning include stars Jalen Johnson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Onyeka Okongwu, just to name a few. Plus the addition of NBA champion and defensive menace Lu Dort, NBA champion Aaron Wiggins, and 2026 top-10 draft pick Kingston Flemings. Dyson Daniels and CJ McCollum are in the mix as well. 

This feels like the Wizards' cut off and a perfect fit at No. 10. Unfortunately, Washington isn't as good as Atlanta just yet, but could get there sooner rather than later.

Come end of the 2026-27 NBA regular season, the Wizards could get as high as No. 5.

The Miami Heat are a big question mark with little to no depth after Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo.

While the Indiana Pacers will get all-star guard Tyrese Haliburton back, the team still finished with the second worst record in the league last season. The Pacers have to figure out their identity and learn how to win again. 

The Boston Celtics' biggest test will be life without Jaylen Brown. Can additions like Paul George and Mitchell Robinson fill Brown's shoes? Time will tell. 

The Detroit Pistons finished last season with the No. 1 seed and had their first playoff series win in 18 years. However, there are a few question marks on the roster. All-star center Jalen Duren and the Pistons are still negotiating his long-term contract. Can Cade Cunningham get Detroit over the hump and pass the Eastern Conference semifinals? And will John Collins and Isaiah Joe be suitable replacements for Tobias Harris, Isaiah Stewart, and Caris Levert? 

So, as of right now, the Washington Wizards should at least be ranked No. 10 in the Eastern Conference and could finish as high as No. 5.