Barring any surprises, Melbet App reports that the long-standing power struggle among the Eastern Conference’s top four teams is likely coming to an end. In the upcoming season, the Celtics appear poised to stand alone at the top of the East’s championship pyramid. While the Bucks face concerns over their new star duo’s chemistry, other contenders are in even worse shape. Take last season’s Eastern Conference champion, the Miami Heat, for instance—this summer was a complete failure for them.

At one point, the Heat were Damian Lillard’s only preferred destination. His camp and the Heat front office worked in unison, and it seemed like a deal was all but finalized. But the NBA’s sudden intervention derailed the entire plan, cutting off the pipeline that would have sent Lillard to Miami. When you’re young, staying busy—no matter how productive—helps you grow. Melbet App’s analysis suggests the league’s move was aimed at curbing superstar entitlement and halting the growing trend of elite players forcing trades.

With Lillard ultimately agreeing to a compromise and joining Milwaukee, Miami became the biggest loser. Not only did they fail to strengthen their roster, they also lost key contributors from last season’s Finals run, including Gabe Vincent and Max Strus. Internally, players like Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson—who were caught in swirling trade rumors—have shown signs of mental wear. Combine that with an aging and injury-prone core, and it’s clear the Heat’s Cinderella run as the eighth seed will be hard to repeat.

Meanwhile, the 76ers are another team drowning in trade drama. From the moment free agency opened, James Harden clashed with Philly’s front office after failing to secure a long-term extension. What followed was a summer-long standoff. Unlike other teams that managed to restore order before training camp, the Sixers remain in limbo. Harden is still on the roster, yet clearly wants out, and the team hasn’t had its full squad available for proper preparation.

Worse yet, Joel Embiid—Philadelphia’s centerpiece—is now reportedly weighing his future with the team. All signs suggest that the 76ers, once considered serious contenders on paper, are on the brink of falling out of the East’s elite tier altogether. The Bucks, Heat, and 76ers all seem unwilling to admit it, but in this marathon of roster building, they’re falling further behind with each passing stride.

Elsewhere in the East, several teams made summer moves hoping to change their fate. But while second-tier squads like the Cavaliers and Knicks, or fringe playoff hopefuls like the Nets, Bulls, Raptors, Magic, Wizards, Pistons, and Hornets, might stir things up on any given night, Melbet App believes they still lack the firepower to influence the bigger picture. Style is not about appearance—true influence takes time. For now, none appear capable of altering the East’s championship race in a meaningful way.