Teams at the top primed to stay put

Paul Coro takes a look at the teams in the East, in predicted order of finish:

The champion Warriors and runner-up Cavaliers are again the teams to beat in the NBA.

1. CLEVELAND

2016-17 record: 51-31 Coming: Jae Crowder, Derrick Rose, Isaiah Thomas, Dwyane Wade. Going: Kyrie Irving, Richard Jefferson. A loss in the NBA Finals and a teammate’s spurning might bring back the MVP version of LeBron James. Kevin Love will be a bigger offensive cog and move to center with Crowder on board. Rose and Wade can buy time until Thomas returns from a hip injury in January.

2. BOSTON

2016-17 record: 53-29 Coming: Gordon Hayward, Kyrie Irving, Marcus Morris, Jayson Tatum (rookie). Going: Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder, Amir Johnson, Kelly Olynyk, Isaiah Thomas. The Celtics have much more potential with Irving and Hayward as co-stars than being led by Thomas, a defensive liability. Boston still has to cover defensively for Irving without Bradley, now that Irving will be taxed more as a playmaker.

3. TORONTO

2016-17 record: 51-31 Coming: O.G. Anunoby (rookie), K.J. McDaniels, C.J. Miles. Going: DeMarre Carroll, Cory Joseph, Patrick Patterson, P.J. Tucker. The Raptors’ playoff disappointment makes many forget they are a solid two-way team that has averaged 51 wins over the last four seasons. The Raptors got career seasons from Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan last season but a Norman Powell breakthrough could change Toronto’s prospects.

4. WASHINGTON

2016-17 record: 49-33 Coming: Tim Frazier, Jodie Meeks. Going: Bojan Bogdanovic, Trey Burke. John Wall’s $170-million extension and Otto Porter Jr.’s $106-million contract mean continuity for a top-notch starting lineup, although Markieff Morris is sidelined after sports hernia surgery.

5. MILWAUKEE

2016-17 record: 42-40 Coming: Gerald Green, D.J. Wilson (rookie). Going: Michael

Beasley. The Bucks can threaten for their first home-court playoff advantage since 2001 but remain inexperienced. Giannis Antetokounmpo is a special star capable of carrying the Bucks to new heights if Jabari Parker comes back strong from his second knee ligament tear.

6. MIAMI

2016-17 record: 41-41 Coming: Kelly Olynyk, Bam Adebayo (rookie). Going: Luke Babbitt, Josh McRoberts. The Heat went from an 11-30 start to a 30-11 finish with Justise Winslow sidelined most of the season. He can help a strongshooting, tough-defending team be a consistent winner if Goran Dragic can maintain his “Dragon” play after carrying Slovenia this summer to a EuroBasket title.

7. CHARLOTTE

2016-17 record: 36-46 Coming: Michael Carter-Williams, Dwight Howard, Malik Monk (rookie). Going: Marco Belinelli, Ramon Sessions. Putting a franchise’s rebound in the hands of Howard is risky. Howard, playing for his fifth team in seven seasons, is charged with lifting the Hornets’ inconsistent offense. Jeremy Lamb will have to step up while Nicolas Batum’s left elbow is on the mend until December.

8. PHILADELPHIA

2016-17 record: 28-54 Coming: Markelle Fultz (rookie), Amir Johnson, J.J. Redick. Going: Gerald Henderson, Ersan Ilyasova, Sergio Rodriguez. “The Process” is turning into “The Progress.” The 76ers still are inexperienced but they’re uber-talented, young and loaded with playoff upside if oft-injured Joel Embiid’s availability can match his talent and personality. The East allows for instant movement for the 76ers with Ben Simmons playing and J.J. Redick spacing the floor.

9. DETROIT

2016-17 record: 37-45 Coming: Avery Bradley, Langston Galloway, Luke Kennard (rookie). Going: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Marcus Morris.

A venue change to downtown Detroit is the best move the Pistons have made since going all in on Stan Van Gundy, Andre Drummond and Reggie Jackson. Drummond has post-up and free-throw issues. Jackson had knee issues. Detroit’s struggling offense leans on Jackson to be injury-free and a scoring playmaker.

10. INDIANA

2016-17 record: 42-40 Coming: Bojan Bogdanovic, T.J. Leaf (rookie), Victor Oladipo, Domantas Sabonis.

Going: Monta Ellis, Paul George, C.J. Miles, Jeff Teague.

Paul George’s planned 2018 exit hurt his trade value. Oladipo returns to his college home state to pick up the scoring. The Pacers will try yet another point guard scenario after acquiring Darren Collison and Cory Joseph. After only two years, Myles Turner is Indiana’s mainstay and upside.

11. ORLANDO

2016-17 record: 29-53 Coming: Arron Afflalo, Jonathan Isaac (rookie), Shelvin Mack, Jonathon Simmons, Marreese Speights. Going: Jeff Green, Jodie Meeks.

The Magic are on trial this season for a new veteran front office that probably will shake up a franchise that is spinning its wheels. Experienced additions improve the team’s depth but a leap would be unexpected unless Aaron Gordon blossoms at power forward or Isaac makes a rookie splash.

12. ATLANTA

2016-17 record: 43-39 Coming: Marco Belinelli, John Collins (rookie), Dewayne Dedmon, Taurean Prince. Going: Tim Hardaway Jr., Dwight Howard, Kyle Korver, Paul Millsap, Thabo Sefolosha.

When Millsap left for Denver over the summer, it marked three consecutive years of All-Star departures that brought nothing in return. Mike Budenholzer is a great coach but this season probably will bring an end to the East’s longest playoff streak (10 years) with a rebuilding team in mercurial Dennis Schroder’s hands.

13. NEW YORK

2016-17 record: 31-51 Coming: Tim Hardaway Jr., Enes Kanter, Doug McDermott, Frank Nkilikina (rookie). Going: Carmelo Anthony, Brandon Jennings, Derrick Rose.

Trading Anthony did not make New York any better than the last two seasons of 32 and 31 wins but the deal, coupled with Phil Jackson’s exit, at least allows the Knicks to start the process of improving. It is Kristaps Porzingis’ team and the burden might make him less efficient.

14. BROOKLYN

2016-17 record: 20-62 Coming: Jarrett Allen (rookie), DeMarre Carroll, Allen Crabbe, Timofey Mozgov, D’Angelo Russell. Going: Brook Lopez.

The Nets are in the early stages of transforming a team that went 41-123 the past two seasons. They become more enjoyable to watch, building on last season’s NBAleading pace by banking on former Lakers point guad Russell as one rebuilding cornerstone. Russell will team with a healthier Jeremy Lin.

15. CHICAGO

2016-17 record: 41-41 Coming: Kris Dunn, Justin Holiday, Zach LaVine, Lauri Markkannen (rookie). Going: Jimmy Butler, Doug McDermott, Rajon Rondo, Dwyane Wade.

The direction is clear after the Bulls traded Butler and ate contract buyouts for Wade and Rondo. The Butler haul will depend on how quickly LaVine returns from a knee ligament tear and if Dunn can improve upon his rookie season to fulfill his predraft hype. Robin Lopez is the team veteran.