The Eastern Conference has been the stronger conference in each of the last two regular seasons and its 2022-23 record in interconference games (236-214, .524) was its best mark in the last 24 years. For the first time in 42 years, the league’s three best records belonged to teams that resided in the East.

But the West won another championship (its 17th in the last 25 years) and those top three teams in the East were all dealing with some frustration as they hit the 2023 offseason. The Boston Celtics have the most wins (including playoffs) of any team in the last seven years but have reached the Finals just once in that stretch, losing a 2-1 series lead to the Golden State Warriors 13 months ago. The Milwaukee Bucks won a championship in 2021, but have dealt with critical injuries in the two years since. The Philadelphia 76ers haven’t been able to make it out of the second round despite being the only team that’s been better than average on both ends of the floor in each of the last six seasons.

So the Celtics traded the heart of their team and the Bucks parted ways with the league’s most successful coach of the last five years. And the Sixers might be the team with the most turmoil, dealing with an unhappy point guard who might just tear the whole thing down.

Behind the top three are some teams on the come-up. And oh yeah, the defending Eastern Conference champs are the preferred destination of a guy who’s averaged 27.9 points (second to only Giannis Antetokounmpo) over the last seven years.

Maybe that trade comes soon. Maybe it comes later (Donovan Mitchell was traded on Sept. 3 last year). Maybe it doesn’t come at all. Either way, it’s time for some mid-summer Power Rankings.

For these offseason rankings, we’re looking at each conference separately and we’ll have Western Conference rankings next Monday. All stats refer to the 2022-23 regular season unless otherwise noted.

Previous Power Rankings

• April 3: Celtics vault to No. 1 as season’s final week begins

• This time last year: Offseason Power Rankings: Celtics, Bucks keep top spots in Eastern Conference — Kevin Durant requested a trade, but the Nets hadn’t traded him. The Cavs had yet to acquire Donovan Mitchell, but the Celtics had added Malcolm Brogdon, the Knicks signed Jalen Brunson, and the Hawks traded three first-round picks for Dejounte Murray. James Harden’s new contract allowed the Sixers to add depth, the Magic selected Paolo Banchero with the No. 1 pick, and the Hornets brought Steve Clifford back.

OffRtg: Points scored per 100 possessions (League Rank)DefRtg: Points allowed per 100 possessions (League Rank)NetRtg: Point differential per 100 possessions (League Rank)Pace: Possessions per 48 minutes (League Rank)

The league averaged 114.1 points scored per 100 possessions and 99.8 possessions (per team) per 48 minutes last season.

NBA.com’s Power Rankings, released every Monday during the season, are just one man’s opinion. If you have an issue with the rankings, or have a question or comment for John Schuhmann, send him an e-mail or contact him via Twitter.