The Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks are considered to be the favorites in the Eastern Conference for the 2025-26 NBA season.
The Cleveland Cavaliers surprised everyone last season and won 64 games to claim the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. However, they were eliminated in the second round against the Indiana Pacers.
The Cavaliers added Lonzo Ball this offseason, who they are high on, and they are expected to be back with a vengeance this season.
Meanwhile, the New York Knicks fell short of making the 2025 NBA Finals, as they, too, were eliminated by the Pacers. The Knicks loaded up on depth this summer, bringing in Jordan Clarkson, Guerschon Yabusele, and Malcolm Brogdon.
With both the Knicks and Cavaliers appearing to be the cream of the crop in the East, Charles Barkley doesn’t have faith in either team.
Photo by J. Conrad Williams Jr./Newsday RM via Getty ImagesCharles Barkley says the Philadelphia 76ers ‘might be the team to beat in the East’
The East this season is considered wide open because the Boston Celtics are expected to take a step back without Jayson Tatum, and the 2025 East Champions Pacers will be without Tyrese Haliburton.
This could leave the door open for a surprise team to catch everyone off guard, and make a run.
Charles Barkley had an interview with Heavy Sports where he revealed that the Philadelphia 76ers might end up being the team to beat in the East.
“The East is up for grabs.
“I mean, it’s going to be crazy. I got no idea who’s going to win the East. I mean, s***, the Sixers, if they could get healthy, they might be the best team in the East.
“I know the Knicks and Cleveland are probably going to be favored. I think the Hawks got better. But, man, I gotta tell you something; I ain’t got no faith in anybody right now in the East.
“The Cavs, they’re going to have to prove it before people give them their credit.”
“My Sixers, can they get healthy? If (Joel) Embiid and Paul George can get healthy, they might be the team to beat in the East.
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images
“That’s what’s crazy.
“Listen, man, I got no idea what’s going on with Embiid and Paul George. I’ve been asked that question all summer. I said, ‘Yo, I can’t give y’all no f****** answer. I don’t know who’s going to play.’”
If the Philadelphia 76ers stay healthy, Charles Barkley could end up being right
Barkley siding with the 76ers might be seen as a hot take, but there’s no denying that the 76ers have a talented roster and they will have high expectations.
The biggest question about the 76ers that seems to be a common theme at this point is health.
Joel Embiid has been riddled with injuries since his MVP campaign, and Paul George has also missed time as well.
There is no definitive timetable for either player heading into the 2025-26 season, but if they can return to full strength and the 76ers see Tyrese Maxey return to All-Star form and even see rookie VJ Edgecombe take a leap, then they will have a chance to make some noise.