With the NBA Season beginning in just a few weeks it is now time to see where everyone stacks up after the draft and all the important free agent decisions have been made.
Much like in my NFL Power Rankings, I will also be grouping these teams into their own tiers, as the difference in some of these team are very marginal.
Cellar Dwellers
30. Cleveland Cavaliers
Another year without Lebron, another year at the bottom. This team features an unhappy, injury-prone, aging Kevin Love. Andre Drummond, who is the polar opposite of a modern NBA center. J.B. Bickerstaff, their third head coach in as many years. And a young corps who is doomed to stagnate in this terrible support system. RIP Cleveland.
29. Detroit Pistons
Much like Cleveland, Detroit has their own injury-prone, aging power forward in Blake Griffin. They also have guys like Derrick Rose, Jerami Grant, and Mason Plumlee who are looking for an increased role to raise their value and are hopefully traded to contending teams. They get the one spot bump over Cleveland because Dwane Casey is an ok coach and their young talent compliments each other a bit better. Nevertheless, this team is still bad.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder
And the rebuild finally begins. No Chris Paul, Steven Adams, Danilo Gallinari, or Dennis Schroder. In the first real year of the rebuild the team is going to see what Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, and Darius Bazely are made of. Adding some veterans like Horford, Ariza, and George Hill to try to keep them competitive. However, with a very thin bench and a first year head coach, this will be a tough year for the Thunder.
27. New York Knicks
The Knicks are finally heading the right direction. Undoing some of the idiotic moves they had made year, which included signing 87 power forwards. They got a blue-collar head coach–which is always a positive when you’re not very talented–and a young corps with some actual potential. They might be a few years away still, but they finally have some direction.
Semi-Competitive Teams
26. Chicago Bulls
The Bulls certainly have a lot of potential and I can definitely see them climbing up this list quickly. However, I think we have seen this teams ceiling when it comes to guys like Zach Lavine, Thad Young, Lauri Markkanen, and Otto Porter Jr, as the main guys on the team. Bill Donavan is certainly an upgrade over Jim Boylen, but he also has his limitations as well. They will certainly be in the race for the 8th seed, but it will be an uphill battle.
25. Sacramento Kings
Barring De’Aaron Fox to taking a huge step forward, this seems like another team who seems alright across the board, but not enough to push them over the top. They could also get worse with Buddy Hield still not being happy and wanting out.
24. Charlotte Hornets
Getting Hayward was a big win for Charlotte because he definitely seemed like his old self in his final year in Boston. But will that be enough? James Borrego has kept this team afloat after losing their only star, so it is possible and he will have a huge role in it if they do make the postseason. However, in my opinion, they remain on the outside looking in.
23. Orlando Magic
The Magic have remained the same more or less over the last three years. While they barely squeaked into the playoffs the last few years, it is hard to see them going back after seeing the teams chasing them improving, while they have stayed the same. If they do make it back, it will be the same mantra, which is good defense and timely offense.
22. Minnesota Timberwolves
The Wolves have take some positive steps in the right direction. First, they finally acquired D’Angelo Russell to pair with Karl Anthony-Towns. Surrounding them with a ton of scoring, this Wolves team might be one of the more fun teams to watch. However, they might also be one of the worst teams defensively in the entire league. So, while they might be fun to watch, they probably won’t win a whole lot.
21. San Antonio Spurs
The young corps on this team has a lot of promise, but that will be hard to tell as I expect the Spurs to lean on DeRozan, Aldridge, Gay, and Mills to try to lead this team back to the playoffs. The big problem is that everyone mentioned except Mills heavily relies on the mid-range to score. While the mid-range isn’t dead per se, it is still not ideal when you can shoot from three or score at the basket.
20. Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies exceeded expectations by a country mile last year. While they completely folded in the bubble this team still shows a ton of promise. They got a healthy mix of guys who can shoot the three and play defense. They also have their franchise point guard in Ja Morant. While they might fall short of the playoffs again this year, they will certainly be in the mix.
19. New Orleans Pelicans
Zion might finally be unleashed and you can feel the excitement. They also retained Brandon Ingram after a terrific season last year. Adding the behemoth that is Steven Adams is just the anchor they need down low. All of that mixed with veteran guards Eric Bledsoe and JJ Reddick, as well as hiring Stan Van Gundy, the Pelicans have more than enough to make the playoffs. It will mostly rely on Zion’s healthy and progression.
Playoff Aspirations
18. Atlanta Hawks
If there weren’t any expectations for Trae Young or Lloyd Pierce, there certainly is now. In the last 10 months they have added veteran players Clint Capela, Danilo Gallinari, and Bogdan Bogdanovic. With these additions they push down some of their younger pieces who might better serve coming off the bench. With some reliable scorers, Bogdanovic and Gallinari, as well as great pick n’ roll bigs, Capela an Collins, Trae has enough around him to where you should start expecting him to lead this team to wins.
17. Phoenix Suns
The same that was said about Trae Young can be said about Devin Booker. They added a great leader in Chris Paul, kept Dario Saric, and managed to get Jae Crowder. That mixed with Monty Williams, who established the right culture, this Suns team also has enough to make it to the playoffs. However, they will be fighting with six or seven teams for the 7th and 8th so it won’t be easy.
16. Indiana Pacers
This team will certainly be a wild card this year. After yet another disappointing playoff exit, the Pacers made a switch at the head coach position, firing Nate McMillan and hiring Nate Bjorkgren. The roster is practically the same, with the added wrinkle of Victor Oladipo being as close to 100% as he has been over the last few years. So, with a roster that is practically the same, we will get to see how a change of philosophy effects this teams overall performance.
15. Toronto Raptors
It is hard to rank these Raptors so low after what we had seen last year. However, they had downgraded at the center position. Swapping Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka for Aron Baynes and Alex Len. Kyle Lowry is another year older. While he hasn’t slowed down yet, it will only be a matter of time. Despite all that they will certainly be a playoff time as there is enough talent and they have a great head coach in Nick Nurse.
14. Houston Rockets
This team is by far the biggest wild card. James Harden has yet to do any team activities since the season ended. The team traded Russell Westbrook for a player who hasn’t played in almost two calendar years. They brought in DeMarcus Cousins, who also hasn’t played in over a year. They have a new head coach and general manager. This team is practically unknown at this point. However, if Harden suits up for Houston, they are a playoff team.
13. Golden State Warriors
The Warriors had a lot of good this off-season. Curry is more than likely 100%, they drafted James Wiseman, and traded for Kelly Oubre. However, they lost Klay Thompson for the season again. While I can say they are a playoff team, not having Klay makes it hard to say they’re a Finals team.
12. Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers did a lot of undoing this past off-season. They got rid Brett Brown, who was a terrible head coach and replaced him with Doc Rivers. They hired Daryl Morey. Where he immediately traded Al Horford and his awful contract for guys who can space the floor for Simmons and Embiid. Tobias Harris can now play power forward, a position he is more suited for, rather than small forward. While they might not move up in the standings like some may expect they are certainly going to be a tougher out this year.
11. Washington Wizards
As mentioned in my “How Much Does Russell Westbrook Help The Wizards?” article, I am a big fan of this trade. First, they reunite Westbrook with former Thunder coach Scott Brooks. Second, they are starting players around him that space the floor and let him do what he does best. Lastly, he has a co-star that is not as ball-dependent as some his other co-stars, which can allow more complementary basketball. They do lack depth across the board, but unlike other teams, their star power is bit more impactful, so depth might be as big of an issue.
Finals Darkhorse
10. Utah Jazz
The Jazz roster hasn’t changed all that much. Yet, they can still get better. They lost Bojan Bogdanovic to injury. Mike Conley was absolutely terrible last year. Yet, were a win away from getting out of the first round. If Bogdanovic can stay healthy and Conley can play more to what we expected him to play, the Jazz could be primed for a deep playoff run.
9. Portland Trail Blazers
Maybe I am bit high on the Blazers compared to a lot of people, but there is a lot to like about what they did this past off-season. They acquired Robert Covington, one of the best “3 and D” wings in the game. Jusuf Nurkic is back to 100% and with an off-season to get himself conditioned for an NBA season will be huge. They get back Ener Kanter, who was a much better fit for the Blazers than Hassan Whiteside. Gary Trent Jr has shown he can be an elite bench player who can play meaningful minutes when Lillard or McCollum needs a rest. Carmelo Anthony has finally accepted a lesser role in the offense. Don’t be surprised if the Blazers are a top four team in the Western Conference.
8. Boston Celtics
The Celtics dropped a little bit in my opinion. They certainly make a Finals run, but I would be a little shocked. They lost Gordon Hayward for practically nothing. Kemba Walker had a less than stellar playoff run last year. However, their best players are Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, and both still have room to grow. And without Hayward, one can argue they have more room to grow now. They also added Tristan Thompson, who is more than capable and without a ridiculous salary he is certainly a good addition. They’ll certainly be in the mix, barring injury.
Finals Contenders
7. Miami Heat
The Heat lost a few pieces, but also gained a few. They lost Jae Crowder, but gained Avery Bradley. They lost Derrick Jones Jr, but gained Maurice Harkless. Meyers Leonard and Goran Dragic re-signed. Expect them to make another run at the Finals because last year was no fluke.
6. Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets lost Jerami Grant, but that loss would mean an expanded role for Michael Porter Jr. The thing the Nuggets seemed to lack was that guy who can get hot at any moment, so MPJ can be the guy who can push them over the top. Murray definitely showed he is a franchise point guard and Jokic still remained one of the best centers in the league. They aren’t thinking Western Conference Finals this year.
5. Dallas Mavericks
Despite an incredible season last year from Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis, there is still room to improve for this team. It was well documented that these two stars struggled to close games out as they had some of the worst “clutch stats” in the league. Any improvement in this area and they are serious Finals contenders.
4. Los Angeles Lakers
I wasn’t as high on their off-season as most. Schroder was certainly a nice addition, but the rest of their signings are bit overrated. Wesley Matthews off the bench will be nice, but is replacing Danny Green for Matthews really that big of an improvement? They also exchanged JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard for Montrezl Harrell and Marc Gasol. Essentially moving two guys who are big and athletic, who can rebound and rim protect for one guy who lacks size at center, one guy who lacks athleticism, and neither can rebound or rim protect at the same level. At the end of the day they still have Anthony Davis and Lebron James, so they’ll be Finals contenders. But they got worse…
3. Milwaukee Bucks
Despite their poor playoff performance last year, this is still a team to fear. Giannis is still the back-to-back MVP. Middleton is probably the most underrated No.2 in the NBA. They added a very solid point guard in Jrue Holiday to replace Eric Bledsoe. The thing that will hold this team back from realizing their true potential is Mike Budenholzer. It is fine to play your best players 30 minutes or less in the regular season when you’re winning by 20 heading into the fourth, but when you’re in a battle against the leagues best teams, they need to play at least 40 minutes. If not, expect another year without a Finals appearance.
2. Los Angeles Clippers
In my opinion this is the team to beat in the West. They didn’t make any sweeping changes to the roster, but they made enough to give them the slight edge over the Lakers. First, they let Harrell go and instead paid Ibaka. Ibaka presents improvement in spacing, rim protecting, and doesn’t need the ball as much as Harrell does. They traded Shamet to Brooklyn and then acquired Luke Kennard. A role player who is more of a spot up shooter and also doesn’t need the ball as much. These small moves open up more time to handle the ball and run the offense for their star players. What can hold them back is Lue ending up being a bad gamble for the Clippers.
1.Brooklyn Nets
Injuries can certainly make this an awful take, but I am going out on a limb. Kevin Durant is arguably the best player in the NBA. Kyrie Irving seemed to fit well with Brooklyn prior to his injuries. Spencer Dinwiddie is a great 6th man. They have the best coaching staff. Mike D’Antoni runs the offense. Jacque Vaughn handles the defense and establishes good culture. Steve Nash facilitates it all. This is the team to beat, in my opinion.
