NBA East Future Stars

It can be fun taking peeks into crystal balls to determine what your favorite Eastern Conference NBA team's roster will look like two to three years from now. Part of the intrigue of the NBA is young, up-and-coming prospects who could break out into stars in any given season. There is obviously no way to predict future NBA Draft successes or major free agent signs in the next few seasons. However, looking at the rising stars of any given team can offer insight into the future of that team.

Here's a glimpse into the future of each NBA team in the Eastern Conference:

Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks have loads of young talent. Their problem is finding a balance. With Al Horford, Marvin Williams, Shelden Williams, Josh Smith and Josh Childress, the Hawks have a log jam at the forward sports. However, despite drafting Acie Law, they still need a reliable point guard, as well as a center. Look for Horford to be with the Hawks for a while and for him to develop into a more offensive Horace Grant type of player. Within two or three seasons, plan on him to reach about a 12-14 point per game average to go along with 8 or so rebounds per game. Marvin Williams will be with the Hawks for a while, but expect him to be the odd man out with Horford being a better fit. He could shine, but probably won't hit his peak with the Hawks. Josh Smith will be a stud, but unless he can curve the attitude better, he might eventually get dealt, too. Joe Johnson is only 26 years old and starting to blossom into the NBA star that many expected him to be. He should continue to do great things 2-3 seasons from now.

Boston Celtics

The Celtics traded much of its young talent to the Timberwolves to land Kevin Garnett. Long-term sacrifice for short-term gain wasn't a bad approach for them and may pay off. However, that leaves Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins and Leon Powe as the main rising stars on the team. Powe probably will float more during his career. However, in two to three seasons, the Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen experiment could be near its end, which means if Rondo and Perkins aren't stars, they could be dealt for prospects. Still, if Rondo wants to be a great point guard in the NBA, he needs to learn how to shoot a jump shot. Unless he can learn to do that, expect similar stats to Jamaal Tinsley, with high assists and steals, but low field goal percentage. Kendrick Perkins is a rebounding fiend, but if his last couple seasons give any indication, don't expect him to have a healthy career.

Charlotte Bobcats

The Bobcats hope Emeka Okafor will be their main star in the future, yet he might not have star quality in his resume. He's a great rebounder and defender to be sure, but his offense is still lacking. He's only 24 years old, but his bad back could continue to be a problem. Expect him to continue scoring in the high teens, while providing a 10-11 rebound per game boost throughout his career. It's tough to say whether or not sophomore Adam Morrison will ever pan out. He has such an odd game that it's tough to know how it fits. Still, he has talent, but it's hard to predict that he'll be able to evolve into an NBA star with such an intense case of diabetes. Raymond Felton has the raw abilities to reach the same level as Chris Paul and Deron Williams, but he doesn't seem to have a high enough IQ to run the point guard spot quite as well. He reminds of a young Jason Terry without the three point shot.

Chicago Bulls

Ben Gordon and Luol Deng are the team's future. Both have star potential and both are very young (23 and 22 respectively). Gordon has to learn to become a more complete player and Deng just needs to continue to develop. Moreover, Kirk Hinrich is only 26 and Andres Nocioni is only 27. Ben Wallace will likely start hitting a big wall in the next couple years, as his entire game is dependant on athleticism, which he's bound to lose. However, Tyrus Thomas' potential is through the roof. Expect him to have a breakout season in one of the next few seasons, where he could average something like 15 points per game, 7 rebounds per game, and 2-3 blocks per game.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Despite a brilliant performance in the NBA Finals last season, point guard Daniel Gibson probably isn't going to be the starting point guard of the future. He should evolve into a solid backup point guard, who could provide a spark off the bench. Shannon Brown has great potential, too, but looks somewhat lost at times. The Cavs hope for a bright future still lies in superstar LeBron James, who isn't even 23 yet.

Detroit Pistons

Don't look now, but the Pistons are quietly developing some young talent. Jason Maxiell has showed a lot of promise and should get more minutes. When Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess (both 32) start to decline, look for Maxiell to step in and take more minutes. Also, there's a reason Detroit re-signed forward Amir Johnson, even though he hasn't played much. He's incredibly talented and should continue to get better. Also, rookie guard Rodney Stuckey has a lot to bring to the table. Expect him to take over when Chauncey Billups is done.

Indiana Pacers

Though the Pacers have some young talent, health is a major concern. Center David Harrison and Ike Diogu can't stay on the active list. Mike Dunleavy Jr. is overrated. Danny Granger really should be getting his minutes. Expect Granger to blossom into a Josh Howard type of player. As of now, the Pacers don't have enough to be a competitive team in the future. Once Jermaine O'Neal is gone, assuming they can't get much for him, the Pacers will be awful.

Miami Heat

The Heat is an old team and adding Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway doesn't help them get younger. However, Dwayne Wade is only 25 years old and Dorell Wright, Daequan Cook and Wayne Simien (assuming he stays healthy) are some young players who could step up when the veterans are gone. Also, they'll have plenty of cap room when Shaquille O'Neal, Alonza Mourning and Antoine Walker retire or move on.

Milwaukee Bucks

We still probably haven't seen Andrew Bogut's true potential. He might never be truly appreciated as the pressures of being the number one pick of a draft can be steep. Still, Bogut's a very intelligent and intense player and should only get better. Look for him to peek at about 13-14 points per game and 8-9 rebounds per game in the next few seasons. Rookie Yi Jianlian may have a great future, but it probably won't be with Milwaukee. Even if they can sign him to his rookie contract, they know they probably won't be able to keep him after it expires. In which case, they could try to trade him. Charlie Villanueva will never reach his full potential, because his work ethic is a big question. Still, he could become a very solid NBA player, averaging close to 20 points per game with sold rebounds.

New Jersey Nets

Josh Boone showed a lot of promise in the few games he played last season. However, keep in mind that Jason Kidd makes a lot of forwards look better than they really are. Expect him to come back to earth when Kidd retires or washes up. The real youngster to look out for is backup point guard Marcus Williams. With great quickness and his ability to handle the ball and pass will be huge when Kidd leaves. Expect Williams to take over the reigns within the next few seasons and average about 11 points per game and 7-8 assists per game. Also, Nenad Krstic is still very young (24). If he stays healthy, expect him to peek at about 18-19 points per game with 7 or so rebounds per game.

New York Knicks

Eddy Curry is a great talent, but defense is always going to be his biggest concern. Also, with a player his size, injuries have to be a huge concern. If he does stay healthy, expect him to top at about 20-22 points per game with about 8-9 rebounds at best. Moreover, expect David Lee to continue to play big minutes in the next few years. Randolph's 27 and isn't the defender the Knicks need. Expect Renaldo Blackmen to be traded in the next two years, as he's essentially the same type of player as David Lee. The Knicks have some young talent, but they'll need to find an unselfish point guard and some perimeter shooters to be able to maximize the potential they have.

Orlando Magic

There has been a lot of stock put into guard J.J. Redick. However, Redick doesn't do much other than shoot well. The only reason to give him the benefit of the doubt is that he's a hard worker and understands the game. Still, he probably won't crack the regular starting lineup since he can't play defense. Expect him to top as a 10-12 point per game scorer off the Magic bench in the next few seasons. Otherwise, Trevor Ariza is probably the team's best prospect not named Dwight Howard at only 22 years old. Howard will have to improve his post offense to be a superstar, but he certainly has the ability. Expect him to top at just under 20 points per game and 12-13 rebounds in the next few seasons.

Philadelphia 76ers

The Sixers are loaded with young talent. Andre Iguodala leads the way. He's only 23 and is already starting to put up star numbers in Allen Iverson's absence. The Sixers' future lineup looks something like this: C (to be determined); PF. Jason Smith; SF. Thaddeus Young; PG. Louis Williams; and SG. Andre Iguodala.

Toronto Raptors

Here's another team loaded with young talent. Andrea Bargnani resembles Dirk Nowitzki. Consider that he's 21 and Chris Bosh is only 23. Add to that T.J. Ford (24) and Jose Calderson (not quite 26) and you've got a great recipe for future success. Imagine Dirk Nowitzki teaming with a Kevin Garnett-type of player with two exceptional passing point guards. In the next few seasons, expect big increases each year in Bargnani's stats due to the offensive-minded system the Raptors are attempting to implement. Expect a peek at 16-17 points per game, with 5 or 6 rebounds per game for Bargnani, while Bosh moves up to 23-24 points per game with 10 plus rebounds.

Washington Wizards

Gilbert Arenas is relatively young, but the Wizards' true up-and-comer is Nick Young, who only 22 years old. He's deceptively athletic and an underrated offensive player who needs to work on his defense a bit.

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