Translator's note: The original text was published on ESPN, and the data in the article were as of the time of the original text (September 12 local time). The dates and times involved are local time

As the NBA offseason approaches the end of the year and the training camp is coming, each team has basically determined their 2025-26 season lineup. However, some teams still have major lineup loopholes.

Some rebuilding teams are interested in improving the roster in the short term rather than forming a cohesive team, a product of the NBA's restrictive new labor-capital agreement. Other teams, such as the Warriors, are waiting for the results of the restricted free agent market.

For champion teams like the defending champion Thunder, the lack of obvious problems can prove that their roster is well built. On the other hand, it may not be a bad thing to have a loophole for teams that are eager to reach that level – as long as they can fill it with internal training or mid-season signings.

With this in mind, let's take a look at the biggest squad loopholes in each of the 15 Eastern teams.

Hawks

Maximum lineup loophole: The second team's organizational offensive ability

Last season when Trae Young was not on the court, the Hawks' offensive efficiency dropped by 10 points. And while the Hawks upgraded their second-team backcourt by introducing Nikil Alexander Walker, he is not a major ball-holder. When Young rested, Alexander Walker, current starting Dyson Daniels and Luke Kennard, also a new player, may share the responsibility of organizing the offense.

Celtics

The biggest lineup loophole: the center with both offense and defense In the past two seasons, the Celtics have Al Horford, Luke Cornett and Christaps Porzingis, and can be said to be full of talents in the center position. Now the Celtics are starting from scratch. Nimias Kota has demonstrated his ability to protect the rim and finish, while the Celtics bet that Luca Garza's skills can make up for his defensive limitations. Before the new season begins, the Celtics can’t rely on any of them and get them to start in the playoffs.

Nets

Maximum lineup loophole: Organizational offensive experience

After ending last season with the league's sixth-worst record, the Nets seem reluctant to take any risks before the arrival of their first round pick swap rights in 2027. Inexperienced ball holders are the easiest way to lose, and after letting D'Angelo Russell out in free market, the Nets' point guard rotation will be composed of junior rookies Yegor Jamin and Norran Traore.

Hornets

Maximum lineup loophole: Starting center

After trading Mark Williams to the Suns, the Hornets are likely to count on second-round picks Ryan Kalkebrenner or Moussa Diabat to the starting lineup. Signed on a two-way contract last summer, Diyarbart quietly dominated offensive rebounds while shooting 60% from the field, and Calke Brenner was also very efficient at Creton. Despite this, both seem to be more suitable for roles with limited responsibilities.

Bulls

Maximum lineup loophole: Defensive aggressiveness

Bulls ranked 29th in making turnovers last season (only ahead of the Jazz with a sluggish record), and also traded their steals per game, Lonzo Ball, who averaged only 22.2 minutes per game and contributed 1.3 steals. Isaac Okoro, who traded Ball, has never reached 1 steal per game. The Bulls will rely more on solid defense than aggressiveness.

Cavaliers

Maximum lineup loophole: Peripheral depth

By the end of the season, this may become a major advantage for the Cavaliers, who have All-Star guards Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell. But with Garland's recent toe surgery and Max Struz is expected to be out until at least December due to a fracture of Jones, the Cavaliers' depth will be tested — especially given the possibility of additional trauma.

Pistons

Maximum lineup loophole: Reliable ball-handling ability

The Pistons ranked 21st in the league last season, and only outperformed the Clippers and Grizzlies in playoff teams. The Pistons then lost one of their most solid ball-holders in the offseason, Dennis Schroeder, who played for the Pistons with an assist-turnover ratio of 4.2. With Jaden Ivey being positioned as a backup point guard, SCHOENE prediction system ranked Pistons' turnover rate at the bottom of the league.

Pacers

Major lineup loophole: center

core guard Terrys Halliburton, who has both offense and defense, suffered an Achilles tendon injury, and starting center Miles Turner also reached an agreement with the Bucks. Jay Huff can provide the shooting ability Turner has, and Isaiah Jackson, who has also just recovered from a ruptured Achilles tendon, is a better defender. Neither of them has proved that they are capable of starting in a stable manner.

Heat

Maximum lineup loophole: Foul-making ability

After trading Jimmy Butler, the Heat's focus on the outside offense is difficult to get free throws. Only the Celtics have worse free throw rates than they did after the All-Star weekend. Moreover, in the series swept by the Celtics in the first round of the playoffs, the Heat averaged only 13.3 free throws per game, the second lowest in the history of the playoffs, only higher than the Heat in 2024 (12.0). Introducing Norman Powell (4.4 free throws per game) should help.

Bucks

Maximum lineup loophole: A reliable point guard lacks a wing player with both offense and defense may prove to be a bigger problem, but after Damian Lillard suffered an Achilles tendon injury and was cut by the team, the Bucks were betting on an inexperienced point guard. Kevin Porter Jr. scored well after joining the Bucks in February, Ryan Rollins is a capable defender, and new player Kerr Anthony is also a good addition. However, none of them looked like the starter of the championship team.

Knicks

Maximum lineup loophole: Lineup depth

is expected to have a larger rotation under the leadership of new coach Mike Brown, so the Knicks introduced Jordan Clarkson in the backcourt and Gaelson Yabuselle in the frontcourt, but there are still only nine players with stable contributions. ESPN reporter Shams Charania reported on Thursday that the Knicks renewed Landry Shamet and may also introduce Malcolm Brogden as another veteran.

Magic

Major lineup loophole: 3-point shooting

I might have given the same answer this time last year, but now there is much more urgency. The Magic's 32% three-point shooting percentage is the lowest in the league since the Lakers in 2015-16. The introduction of Desmond Bain and Tyame Jones should be a huge help to the Magic, although the three-point shooting is still the biggest weakness of this seemingly competitive team.

76ers

Maximum lineup loophole: Power forwards

Although the health of Joel Embiid and Paul George is a bigger problem, around George, who is 6-foot-8 (about 2.03 meters) and Embiid, who is 7-foot (about 2.13 meters), the 76ers have no clear starting power forward candidate. The Sixers are likely to start with a small lineup, allowing George to play as the power forward on the court. But when George is not on the court, their roster will get very small.

Raptors

Maximum lineup loophole: Efficient shooting creation ability

Raptors had only two players used above average and had a real shooting percentage of more than 55.0%: Emmanuel Quickley (33 games) and a substitute Chris Boucher who has left the team. Brandon Ingram's real shooting percentage when playing for the Pelicans is 57.6%, and his arrival may help. More importantly, a healthy lineup will share the offensive load and increase shooting percentage.

Wizards

Maximum lineup loophole: Power forward

For a team in rebuilding, collecting talents is more important than filling positions. But it's interesting that there may not be any player in the Wizards' roster with the best position being a power forward. Marvin Bagley is more likely to play center, which may allow wingers Justin Champany, Kay Sean George, Chris Middleton and Cameron Whitmore to take the position.

Author: Kevin Pelton

Translator: GWayNe