LeBron James and Jaylen Brown might have formed a superteam in Philadelphia this offseason, but NBA insiders are already looking past them to crown the Boston Celtics as the New York Knicks’ top challenger in the East for the 2027 NBA Finals. Seriously, forget the hype you’ve heard elsewhere, because this new poll is a major curveball, and it tells us everything about how folks around the league are *really* feeling.
The Insiders Have Spoken: Boston is the Real Deal
NBA insider Zach Lowe spilled the tea on his show, revealing he polled 30 Eastern Conference coaches and executives. He asked them one thing: besides the reigning 2026 NBA champion New York Knicks, which team is most likely to represent the East in the 2027 NBA Finals? The Boston Celtics were the “overwhelming winners of the poll.” Lowe himself admitted he was “actually shocked at the level of optimism for Boston as a Finals team.” Why Boston? The insiders apparently “felt safest about Boston, alongside the Knicks, being a top-three seed in the conference when the regular season is over.” That’s a huge vote of confidence when you consider the star power Philly just stacked.
LeBron’s Sixers Tied for Second, Celtics Made Big Moves
So, where did LeBron and Jaylen’s new-look Sixers land? They were part of a three-way tie *behind* the Celtics, sharing that second-tier spot with the Toronto Raptors and Miami Heat. The Indiana Pacers snagged the third-most votes overall. It’s clear that while Philly made splashy moves, the league is looking at Boston’s balance and recent additions. The Celtics brought in veterans Paul George and Mitchell Robinson this offseason, with Robinson notably defecting from the Knicks in free agency. Plus, Jayson Tatum is reportedly “fully recovered from his torn Achilles,” and he’s expected to lead Boston right back into the title conversation.
It’s wild how things shake out even before a single regular season game. The 2026 NBA season kicks off later this month, and if this poll is any indication, the Eastern Conference is stacked deeper than it’s ever been. You’ve got multiple teams truly looking like title contenders, and it’s going to be insane watching it all play out on the court. Get ready, because the East is about to be a battleground!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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