{"id":153977,"date":"2025-08-09T14:47:31","date_gmt":"2025-08-09T18:47:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=153977"},"modified":"2025-08-09T14:47:31","modified_gmt":"2025-08-09T18:47:31","slug":"top-3-teams-in-southeast-division-set-to-compete-next-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/08\/09\/top-3-teams-in-southeast-division-set-to-compete-next-season\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 3 Teams In Southeast Division Set To Compete Next Season"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Three of last year&#8217;s four Play-In Tournament games in the Eastern Conference featured Southeast Division teams. The Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Magic, and Miami Heat competed to keep their middling seasons alive, but none made a run to remember. These results likely change for the 2025-26 campaign. Each squad made significant moves this summer to upgrade its roster and compete in an open Eastern Conference. The Magic acquired <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/banede01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Desmond Bane<\/a>, <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/p\/powelno01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Norman Powell<\/a> landed in Miami, and Atlanta traded for <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/p\/porzikr01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kristaps Porzi\u0146\u0123is<\/a>, among other acquisitions. Here is how all three squads look after making big splashes this summer.<\/p>\n<h2>Top 3 Teams In Southeast Division Set To Compete Next Season<\/h2>\n<h3>The Magic Needed Three-Point Shooting in the Worst Way<\/h3>\n<p>Orlando&#8217;s length and hard-nosed attitude on defense have been its calling card for the last couple of years. Last season, the Magic finished second in defensive rating at 109.1 and gave up a league-leading only 105.5 points a night. However, offensively, it was an entirely different story. They struggled to generate consistent half-court offense, especially from beyond the arc. Orlando ranked last in triples made, percentage, and 27th in offensive rating. <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/06\/17\/magic-decline-two-team-options\/\" target=\"_self\">Bane undoubtedly boosts this struggling offense<\/a> in a big way.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">&quot;He has an ability to not just shoot the basketball, but create his own shot. Playmaker as well.&quot; \ud83d\udde3\ufe0f<\/p>\n<p>Orlando HC Jamahl Mosley on what Desmond Bane adds to this Magic team. <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Kq9seUDNtF\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/Kq9seUDNtF<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; NBA TV (@NBATV) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NBATV\/status\/1945261566003118466?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 15, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Bane averaged 19.2 points and shot 39.2% from deep on 6.1 attempts per game across the 2024-25 campaign. He is not just a sharpshooter but a downhill driver and playmaker in the pick-and-roll as well. The former Memphis Grizzlies guard operated as the point guard with <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/moranja01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ja Morant<\/a> missing significant time over the last two seasons. He now shares the backcourt duties with <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/s\/suggsja01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jalen Suggs<\/a>, who was just finding his footing before left knee trouble limited him to 35 games a season ago. Bane will see many open looks when defenses have to stop <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/banchpa01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Paolo Banchero<\/a> and <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/wagnefr01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Franz Wagner<\/a>, but he can also operate as a connective guard and secondary scoring option when either wing sits. The 27-year-old guard gives the Magic much-needed offensive firepower instead of just relying on their defense each night.<\/p>\n<h3>Heat Bring in Another Shot Creator to South Beach<\/h3>\n<p>Similar to Orlando, the Heat led with their defense last season. They ranked 21st in offensive rating and ninth in defensive rating. Despite their struggles offensively, <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/herroty01.htmlhttps:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/herroty01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tyler Herro<\/a> earned his first All-Star selection, averaging 23.9 points and 5.5 assists per game. However, after the <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/butleji01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jimmy Butler<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/03\/13\/new-motivation-jimmy-butler-trade-from-miami-heat-revealed\/\" target=\"_self\">saga ended<\/a>, <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/wiggian01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Andrew Wiggins<\/a> became the de facto secondary shot creator on the perimeter. This season, that role will shift to Powell- a 21-point scorer from a season ago.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">BREAKING: The Clippers, Jazz and Heat have agreed to a trade that sends Norman Powell to Miami, John Collins to Los Angeles, and Kevin Love, Kyle Anderson and a 2027 Clippers second-round pick to the Jazz, sources tell ESPN. <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/o0FkV0o2l8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/o0FkV0o2l8<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ShamsCharania\/status\/1942226949453103199?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 7, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/07\/07\/the-heat-add-norman-powell-in-trade-with-the-clippers-jazz\/\" target=\"_self\">Powell had a career-best season at age 31<\/a>, shooting 41.8% from deep on 7.1 attempts per game. He thrived as the Los Angeles Clippers&#8217; secondary scoring option when <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/l\/leonaka01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kawhi Leonard<\/a> missed the first few months of last season. Powell&#8217;s ability to move with and without the ball allows him and Herro to take pressure off each other. His three-point prowess will be crucial to giving Miami&#8217;s offense ample space, especially if head coach Erik Spoelstra starts <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/a\/adebaba01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bam Adebayo<\/a> and <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/wareke01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kel&#8217;el Ware<\/a> next to each other. The Heat <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.nba.com\/stats\/teams\/traditional?Period=4&amp;SeasonType=Regular%20Season&amp;dir=A&amp;sort=PTS\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">ranked 29th<\/a> in fourth-quarter points last season and <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/44200622\/miami-heat-blow-big-lead-late-third-month\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">often lost double-digit leads<\/a> when the game slowed down due to their offensive struggles. Adding a big shot creator and maker like Powell can certainly reverse this pattern next season.<\/p>\n<h3>Hawks Trade for NBA Champion Center<\/h3>\n<p><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/o\/okongon01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Onyeka Okongwu<\/a> emerged as a strong starting center to end last season. He was a surefire option to start in the 2025-26 season until Atlanta traded for Porzi\u0146\u0123is earlier this summer. Head coach Quin Snyder finds <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/07\/25\/breaking-down-hawks-starting-center-debate\/\" target=\"_self\">a good problem<\/a> on his hands when deciding who starts at the five on opening night.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">BREAKING: Boston, Atlanta and Brooklyn are finalizing a three-team trade that sends Kristaps Porzingis and a second-round pick to the Hawks, Terance Mann and Atlanta&#39;s No. 22 pick to the Nets, and Georges Niang and a second-rounder to the Celtics. <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/1fcbIslyVF\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/1fcbIslyVF<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ShamsCharania\/status\/1937644320070467798?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 24, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Porzi\u0146\u0123is brings a skill set on both ends that Atlanta has not had in a long time. He is a 7-foot-2-inch shot blocker who can routinely knock down triples. The Latvian big man averaged 19.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, and shot 41.2% from three on 6.0 attempts per game. Regardless of whether he starts or comes off the bench, he forms a deadly duo with <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/y\/youngtr01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trae Young<\/a> in pick-and-pop situations. Atlanta struggled to guard bigger teams last season, such as Orlando and Miami, after <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/j\/johnsja05.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jalen Johnson<\/a> went down. Now, the Hawks can play Porzi\u0146\u0123is and Okongwu next to each other to combat two-center lineups.<\/p>\n<p>Questions always surround Porzi\u0146\u0123is&#8217; health. However, if he does miss time, Atlanta has the depth in Okongwu to stay afloat. The 29-year-old center is a free agent after this season, but the Hawks did not have to pay a hefty price to acquire him from the cost-cutting Boston Celtics.<\/p>\n<p>It will be interesting to see which teams come out on top of the Southeast Division next spring.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a9 David Butler II-Imagn Images<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Three of last year&#8217;s four Play-In Tournament games in the Eastern Conference featured Southeast Division teams. The Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Magic, and Miami Heat competed to keep their middling seasons alive, but none made a run to remember. These results likely change for the 2025-26 campaign. Each squad made significant moves this summer to upgrade [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5516,"featured_media":154041,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1608,4,16,62,17],"tags":[3127,138,716,2830,1896],"class_list":["post-153977","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-basketball","category-hawks","category-heat","category-nba","category-magic","tag-desmond-bane","tag-kristaps-porzingis","tag-norman-powell","tag-onyeka-okongwu","tag-tyler-herro"],"modified_by":"Zach Kircher","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/153977","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5516"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=153977"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/153977\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":154043,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/153977\/revisions\/154043"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/154041"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=153977"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=153977"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=153977"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}