With the NBA season tipping off in about a month, it is time to rank all 30 teams coming into the season. After hours of crunching numbers, analyzing film, and speaking with professionals, I have created the correct power rankings of every team. See where your team stands coming into the NBA’s 77th season.
30. Washington Wizards: Trying to improve on their 15-67 record last season, the Wizards drafted Alex Sarr with the second overall pick in the draft, and signed center Jonas Valanciunas in the offseason. Sarr struggled during summer league, so Wizards fans will need to keep their fingers crossed that he can lead them to some wins
29. Portland Trail Blazers: The Blazers will need to rely on the development of their young core, consisting of Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, and Anfernee Simons. While these players have potential, lack of experience and depth won’t get them far this year.
28. Brooklyn Nets: After trading away their most valuable asset, Mikal Bridges, the Nets have hit the reset button after a disastrous super team attempt. While this team may not win many games, it will be a good opportunity for Cam Johnson, Cam Thomas, and rising star Jalen Wilson to show their skills.
27. Charlotte Hornets: This offseason the Hornets acquired Josh Green and Reggie Jackson, which will bring some experience to this young team. They will return second year player Brandon Miller, who had a promising first season. These moves should add a few wins to their previous 21, but the most Hornets fans have to look forward to is the Draft Lottery.
26. Detroit Pistons: At first glance, the Pistons roster has productive players, but finished the season with a league low 15 wins. To improve on this, they acquired Tobias Harris and Malik Beasely. While young players Cade Cunningham, Ausar Thompson, and Jalen Duren will likely mesh better this year, expect to see Cade traded to a contending team after this season.
24. Chicago Bulls: With the retirement of Derrick Rose, there is a somber mood in Chicago. To make matters worse, stars DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso have been blown away from the windy city. On the flip side, the Bulls drafted the first ever NBA player with fluffy hair, Matas Buzelis. Lonzo Ball is also set to make an appearance at some point this season, and will hopefully return to his playmaking self.
23: Utah Jazz: The Jazz drafted former number one ranked player Isaiah Collier, and Duke big man Kyle Filipowski. They also re-signed star big Lauri Markkanen, who will be carrying a heavy load for the Jazz this season.
22. Toronto Raptors: After the departure of Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby, the Raptors are in a rebuilding phase. The Raptors will build around Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley, who were both paid over the offseason. The Raptors should look to capitalize on the draft, and continue to develop Grady Dick.
21. Miami Heat: The Heat welcomed Indiana’s Kel’el Ware, who should take some of the load off Bam down the stretch. They also re-signed Kevin Love and Thomas Bryant. Incase of a poor season, Heat fans should keep their fingers crossed Jimmy Butler does not request a trade.
20. San Antonio Spurs: Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes joined the Spurs this offseason, as the team looks for veterans to help develop future MVP Victor Webenyama. The former rookie of the year will settle into the NBA’s style of play. Wemby paired with CP3 should compliment each other, as Chris Paul will look to go out on a high note in the next few seasons.
19. Houston Rockets: While the Rocket do not look championship bound this year, they do have a few notable additions, including AJ Griffin, Aaron Holiday, and possible rookie of the year, Reed Sheppard. Sheppard put on a show at Summer League, and while the regular season will be harder competition, don’t be surprised if you see him hoist the rookie of the year trophy.
18. Los Angeles Clippers: The Clippers have a lot of new things on the way: a new stadium, new logo, new players, but some questions still remain. Will Kawhi be healthy? Will he play like his 2020 Finals MVP season? The first answer is no. The team already reports he will miss most of training camp. With Paul George and Westbrook gone, the aspiration of a championship seems farther away. While acquiring guys like Mo Bamba and Derrick Jones Jr. will make them a middle of the road team, it will take Kawhi and Harden to win a championship.
17. New Orleans Pelicans: The Pelicans added Dejounte Murray to their roster, which is exciting to Pelicans fans, but one should question if this will actually lead to success. Murray paired with Trae Young last year only resulted in 36 wins. Furthermore, Zion Williamson will need to prove that he can be consistent throughout the year. Whenever Zion is in the game, the Pelicans are a threat.
16. Los Angeles Lakers: Coming into Lebron’s 22nd season, the Lakers have high expectations, but not much to show for it. The Lakers also have the player with the most to prove, Bronny (LePrince) James. He will need to show how his game can translate to the NBA, and why he is even worth drafting. The deciding factor of their season will be how much they have to rely on Lebron. If Austin Reaves, DLO, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Dalton Knecht can win games on their own, they have a chance to make a run.
15. Golden State Warriors: Saying goodbye to Klay Thompson, the Warriors look to start a new era of Golden State basketball. Buddy Hield will come in to fill the catch and shoot role Klay once had. Warriors fans need to hope that promising talents Trayce Jackson Davis, Jonathan Kuminga, and Brandin Podziemski can develop before more splash bros decide to call it quits.
14. Sacramento Kings: The addition of DeMar DeRozan was huge for the Kings offseason. DeMar will look to get back to his 2022 all star season scoring. A starting five of DeRozan, Malik Monk, De’Aaron Fox, and Sabonis could be a problem for defenses.
13. Orlando Magic: One of the top slept on teams of the 2025 season is the Orlando Magic. Adding veteran Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will bring some leadership and championchip experience to a young squad. Don’t be surprised if Paolo Banchero, Jalen Suggs, and Franz Wanger ball out this year.
12. Memphis Grizzlies: The Grizzlies had a disappointing season last year due to Ja Morant’s suspension and injury, along with other injuries. Newly acquired Zach Edey will take some pressure off Jarett Jackson Jr. GG Jackson should also make big leaps after his productive rookie year. If Ja Morant can stay off Instagram live, the Grizzlies should be fun to watch.
11. Phoenix Suns: The Suns look promising with guys like Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Devin Booker, but behind these stars is a worse looking story. To acquire these players, the Suns gave up multiple future draft picks and most of their bench players. This was a struggle last season while the big three were on the bench. New coach Mike Budenholzer will have to prove that offense wins championships after all.
10. Indiana Pacers: While the Pacers turned some heads last season by knocking off the injury riddled Knicks, fans question if they can build on their previous run. While the team remains mostly the same, Tyrease Haliburton will have to show how he can not only be a top guard, but lead the team to a postseason run. Are the Pacers just a one hit wonder, or are they a contender for years to com
9. Cleveland Cavaliers: While this year’s roster is almost identical to the last, they did hire Kenny Atkinson (previously on the Warrior’s staff) as head coach. As the Knicks look promising this year Donovan Mitchell will need to prove why his decision to join the Cavs was the right choice.
8. Milwaukee Bucks: The Bucks didn’t make many moves this offseason, apart from attaining Damian Lilard a season ago. Lilard was slightly inconsistent last year, and the Bucks felt the loss of some of their key role players. They also hired Doc Rivers, who has not seen major success since his 2008 finals win. The Bucks will need to prove that it’s still “Dame Time” in 2025.
7. Philadelphia 76ers: The 76ers had a monster off season, acquiring Paul George from the Clippers, Jared McCain, Andre Drummond, and shooters Caleb Martin and Eric Gordon. One issue with this team is health, as Embiid and Paul George have missed a significant amount of time over the past few seasons. Will “Trusting the Process” work out for the 76ers? We’ll have to see this season.
6. Denver Nuggets: The Nuggets lost both Reggie Jackson, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, key role players in their 2023 championship. To make up for this, the Nuggets gained future hall of famer Russell Westbrook. The drive and kick game with Westbrook and Michael “never swing the rock” Porter Jr. could be lethal.
5. Dallas Mavericks: Coming off of a Championchip loss, the Mavericks picked up four time champion Klay Thompson. Klay will most definitely help the scoring, and contribute with his signature catch and shoot threes. However, the Mavericks lost some key pieces to their finals appearance, such as Josh Green, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Derrick Jones Jr.. Derrek Lively will gain minutes this year due to the roster changes. If Klay can stay consistent, and if the bench shows up each night, this team can contend for a title.
4. Minnesota Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves made a lot of noise at the end of last season by knocking off Kevin Durant and the Suns’ scoring machine. To continue this momentum, the Wolves picked up Joe Ingles, and future star Robert Dillingham. This Timberwolves roster looks loaded, and this team is a top contender for the championship.
3. New York Knicks: After acquiring Mikal Bridges this offseason, the Nova Knicks have one of the deepest teams in the league. The only major hole the Knicks have to fill is at the center position, where Mitchell Robinson will be relied on to stay healthy down the stretch of the season. Luckily for the next, this hole at center has been filled with the addition of Karl Anthony Townes. Unfortunately, the Knicks had to give up both Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo. If they fill up the center position, this team will compete for a championship.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder: OKC fans have a lot to look forward to, as the youngest team in the league is also one of the best. The former number one seed welcomes Isaiah Hartenstien, who should take some pressure off of Chet Holmgren. They also gained Alex Caruso for Josh Giddey, which will hold down the defense while Lu Dort isn’t playing. Overall, this team is a top contender, and will make the Western Conference Finals at the very least.
1. Boston Celtics: The reigning champs come into the 2025 season with a target on their backs. While taking an “easy route” through the playoffs, teams will look to perform well against them. Jason Tatum and Jaylen Brown will look to prove themselves after their lack of representation in the U.S.A. Olympic Team. Paired with a supporting cast of Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, and Derrek White maintains them as the best team in the league.