Welcome to our eighth annual Summer Forecast!

In the next couple of weeks, we'll share our early projections for every team, and predict the rookie of the year, MVP, best newcomers, NBA champion, and much, much more.

Today, we kick things off with a look at the 2015-16 Eastern Conference standings.

For our results, we surveyed our ESPN Forecast panel on each topic. (Here's how it works.)

To participate in the discussion and perhaps get your opinion published on this page, #ESPNForecast is the Twitter hashtag to use. Or you can just follow along @ESPNNBA.

Let's go!

Projected East standings

1. Cleveland Cavaliers

Proj. record: 59-23

Last season: 53-29

If #ESPNForecast is correct for the Cavs w/ 59 wins, it'd be the 4th best W total of LeBron's 13-season career. He's won 66 twice & 61 once - Dave McMenamin (@mcten) August 17, 2015

2. Chicago Bulls*

Proj. record: 50-32

Last season: 50-32

Projecting the same record as last year for the Bulls, shame cause the starting line is finally healthy. @ESPNNBA #ESPNForecast - Rodrigo (@RodrigoMarin5) August 17, 2015

3. Atlanta Hawks*

Proj. record: 50-32

Last season: 60-22

We were 18 games better than your forecast last season, so... #ESPNForecast https://t.co/6juEhITVov - Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) August 17, 2015

#ESPNForecast how can my @ATLHawks be 3rd we've only gotten better this offseason we lost Demarre but the collective is what made us great - Zach Walker (@_Zach_KNOWS) August 17, 2015

4. Miami Heat

Proj. record: 47-35

Last season: 37-45

20-game turnaround seems right for Heat, considering Wade, Dragic, Deng, Whiteside, Bosh didn't play 1gm together in 2014-15. #ESPNForecast - Michael Wallace (@MyMikeCheck) August 17, 2015

5. Washington Wizards

Proj. record: 46-36

Last season: 46-36

#ESPNForecast says Wizards finish #5 w/ 46 wins again. Wall/Beal ready 2 win 50 but need Otto 2 help ease Pierce loss http://t.co/ZcpOMxxChF - Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) August 17, 2015

6. Toronto Raptors*

Proj. record: 44-38

Last season: 49-33

7. Milwaukee Bucks*

Proj. record: 44-38

Last season: 41-41

#ESPNForecast Has @Bucks at 7 winning only 3 more games despite adding Monroe and returning Jabari...Someone should reconsider that 7 rank - Joe Burbach (@joeburbs) August 17, 2015

8. Boston Celtics

Proj. record: 40-42

Last season: 40-42

#ESPNForecast has Celtics at 40 wins, 8th in East. Boston fans will point out Forecast whiffed at 28 wins last year. http://t.co/61RqVrQpbW - Chris Forsberg (@ESPNForsberg) August 17, 2015

Celtics were one of the 4 best teams in the entire NBA second half last yr. And they got better. Gonna finish top 5 in East. #ESPNForecast - Spose (@spizzyspose) August 17, 2015

9. Indiana Pacers

Proj. record: 39-43

Last season: 38-44

9th 😂 — Paul George (@Yg_Trece) August 18, 2015

ESPN projects the Pacers to win 39 games next season in their #ESPNForecast. Hard to imagine a full season from PG only adding one win. - Cameron (@ThatManCam) August 17, 2015

Pacers get Paul George back and only improve by one game? People forget how great PG really is #ESPNForecast - Court Zierk (@CourtZierk) August 17, 2015

10. Charlotte Hornets*

Proj. record: 35-47

Last season: 33-49

After @espn named the Hornets the 2nd most improved team in the NBA (using WARP), I'm thinking 40-44 wins is more like it #ESPNForecast - Sports&Politics 500 (@SP_500blog) August 17, 2015

11. Detroit Pistons*

Proj. record: 35-47

Last season: 32-50

#ESPNForecast Pistons are winning at least 41 games. Better than Charlotte and Indy and Boston for sure - Laz Jackson (@lazchance) August 17, 2015

12. Brooklyn Nets

Proj. record: 30-52

Last season: 38-44

According to #ESPNForecast, the Brooklyn Nets are winning the battle of New York...the very sad battle of New York. - Matt Shantz (@m_shantz) August 17, 2015

13. Orlando Magic

Proj. record: 30-52

Last season: 25-57

Orlando as third worst team in the East? They fixed all their needs and only improved by 5 wins? #ESPNForecast - Richy P (@R_I_C_H_Y_) August 17, 2015

14. New York Knicks

Proj. record: 25-57

Last season: 17-65

#ESPNForecast projects the #Knicks at 25-57 in 2015-16. That would be the 10th-lowest winning % in team history: http://t.co/eSLYko0GWX - Ian Begley (@IanBegley) August 17, 2015

I'm not a Knicks fan, but a healthy Carmelo, Afflalo, and Lopez gets them higher than 14th in the East #ESPNForecast - Jolson (@thejolson) August 17, 2015

15. Philadelphia 76ers

Proj. record: 19-63

Last season: 18-64

@espnnba The @sixers will be contending for the 8th spot & will finish with a better record then the @lakers *Write That Down* #ESPNForecast - Curtlow!!! (@SWHTown30) August 17, 2015

* Tiebreakers based on percentage points