Central Division NBA Preview: Cavaliers, Pacers, Bucks, Pistons & Bulls Analysis

Get the scoop on the Central Division teams with last season's reviews and 2025-26 predictions. Read about key trades, rising stars, and playoff potential.

August 6, 2025

Central Division NBA Preview: Cavaliers, Pacers, Bucks, Pistons & Bulls Analysis

By:

Dan Bruno

August 6, 2025

In this article, we will provide a quick synopsis of each team in the Central Division by reviewing their results from last season and projecting what the new campaign will have in store.

Chicago Bulls

The Bulls' 2024-25 campaign was split in two halves, as Zach LaVine was traded to the Sacramento Kings in early February in exchange for Zach Collins, Tre Jones, and Kevin Huerter. Following the trade, the squad put together an impressive run to close the season, finishing with a 39-43 record, before being eliminated in the play-in for a third consecutive year. Despite failing to make it into the playoffs, the Bulls showed impressive determination and established a good foundation for a future built around a young core of Josh Giddey, Coby White, and Matas Buzelis. Additionally, Ayo Dosunmu, Collins, Jones, and Huerter fit well with the timeline, and their abilities to contribute across the board will be critical.

Over the last couple of years, Coby White has shown flashes that he can shine as one of the most electric guards in the East. He averaged a career-high 20.4 points per game last season, including reaching the 25-point mark in 21 games, and notching a season high of 44 points. He faces an ideal opportunity to step into the role of offensive leader for his team and is certainly a player to watch in the coming season. Matas Buzelis is also an exciting young player, as his offensive versatility at 6-foot-9 makes for a tough cover.

In this article, we will provide a quick synopsis of each team in the Central Division by reviewing their results from last season and projecting what the new campaign will have in store.

Chicago Bulls

Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavs stifled the competition through the 2024-25 season, averaging a league-high 121.9 points per game and holding opponents to the league's third-lowest field-goal percentage, on their way to a conference-best 64-18 record. However, they met their match against the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the playoffs, marking their second consecutive season losing in the conference semi-finals. The Cavaliers head into the new season without making any large changes, which is very reasonable after their success last season. Still, they bolstered their backcourt depth by trading for Lonzo Ball, who averaged 10.3 points while shooting 38.9 percent from long range across 70 games played between two seasons with the Bulls.

Donovan Mitchell led the charge last season, averaging team highs of 24.0 points and 1.3 steals per game. It marked his sixth consecutive season averaging at least 24.0 points per game, and he remains in place to prosper among a well-balanced and familiar lineup. Meanwhile, Darius Garland played a career-high 75 games through 2024-25, delivering 20.6 points on 47.2 percent shooting, with 6.7 assists per game. Additionally, the Cavs' frontcourt duo consisting of reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen are poised to continue to dominate the interior and should help pave the way for another top-tier finish for the club.

Detroit Pistons

The Pistons are coming off their best regular-season record dating back to 2016, while they also appeared in the postseason for the first time since 2019. However, the success was short-lived as they were eliminated by the Knicks in the first round of the playoffs. Nonetheless, the squad is primed to keep pushing in the right direction thanks to a strong core centered around Cade Cunningham, who earned his first all-star appearance last season, and Jalen Duren, who has averaged a double-double in each of the last two seasons. They also retain the veteran leadership and consistent play of Tobias Harris, and impactful wings Ausar Thompson and Ronald Holland, who can cause problems for opponents on the defensive end. Finally, new additions Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson should provide a notable boost to the bench rotation.

Cunningham averaged career highs with 26.1 points, 9.1 assists and 0.8 blocks per game last season and heads into his fifth NBA campaign well-established as one of the best stat-sheet stuffers in the league. At just 23 years old he also still has plenty of room for continued growth heading into 2025-26. Moreover, a healthy Jaden Ivey would provide a boost for the squad, but his timeline for return is not yet totally clear, and he will also need time to get up to speed. Overall, the Pistons have a good shot at another postseason run, with a familiar core and youth being advantageous factors in their favor.

Indiana Pacers

The Pacers are coming off one of their best seasons in recent memory, as they finished with their best regular-season record since 2014, and made the NBA Finals for the first time in 25 years. The squad's postseason success was largely unexpected, as they knocked off highly-regarded competition each step of the way, beginning with the Bucks in the first round, the conference-leading Cavaliers in the second, and the stacked Knicks in the conference finals. The Pacers made it all the way to Game 7 of the Finals, before their hopes came to an unfortunate end, as Tyrese Haliburton suffered a season-ending injury to his Achilles, which was too devastating of a blow for the team to overcome at that late stage.

Haliburton was a major factor in the team's achievements last season, and his absence will result in a significant challenge for the upcoming campaign. Nonetheless, the Pacers have the depth to confidently approach the new season, as Andrew Nembhard is expected to take on the main point-guard role, while Aaron Nesmith, Bennedict Mathurin, and Pascal Siakam can each provide scoring and well-rounded play within the starting lineup. The departure of Myles Turner leaves a void to be filled at the center position, where Isaiah Jackson and Tony Bradley will likely be first in line to compete for minutes. Without Haliburton, the Pacers are unlikely to find the same success as they did last season, but they are also the same team that defied most expectations just months ago and therefore cannot be counted out.

Milwaukee Bucks

As long as Giannis Antetokounmpo is at the core of the Bucks' lineup, lofty hopes and expectations will remain for the club. Although he had a strong season individually and the team finished fifth place in the East with a 48-34 record, their inability to rally for a deep playoff run made their 2024-25 season feel less than satisfactory. However, a major factor in the team's lack of postseason success was the injury to Damian Lillard, as he was shut down after an Achilles injury in the first round.

The squad opted to take on a new look for the upcoming season, as they parted ways with key figures Lillard and Brook Lopez. Alternatively, Kevin Porter and Cole Anthony are up for significant roles in leading the backcourt, while Gary Trent, AJ Green and Kyle Kuzma will be looked to for supplementary scoring around the dominance of Antetokounmpo's play. Finally, the Bucks made a splash by acquiring veteran center Myles Turner, who is set to replace Lopez in the starting lineup and gives them another great rim-protector that can also shoot the long ball. With new faces in key positions, it may be a slow start for the Bucks in 2025-26, but with Antetokounmpo in the driver's seat, they should have what it takes to at least be in the conversation for another shot at the postseason.