Ranking the NBA from No. 1 to No. 30
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
2015-16: 57-25, won NBA championship
Coach: Tyronn Lue
The Big Question: Can the Cavaliers pile up enough wins for home-court advantage in a potential Finals rematch with the Warriors?
They’ll be here: Jan. 13
2. Golden State Warriors
2015-16: 73-9, lost in NBA Finals
Coach: Steve Kerr
The Big Question: With the addition of former MVP Kevin Durant, can Kerr keep a team full of talent and egos in check all season?
They’ll be here: Jan. 8, Feb. 4
3. San Antonio Spurs
2015-16: 67-15, lost in second round of Western Conference playoffs
Coach: Gregg Popovich
The Big Question: Are the Spurs still too old with 36-year-old Pau Gasol, entering his 16th season, replacing the retired Tim Duncan?
They’ll be here: Oct. 27, Nov. 16
4. Los Angeles Clippers
2015-16: 53-29, lost in first round of Western Conference playoffs
Coach: Doc Rivers
The Big Question: Can a team with a history of underachieving in the postseason finally reach the conference finals?
They’ll be here: Nov. 18, Jan. 13
5. Toronto Raptors
2015-16: 56-26, lost in Eastern Conference finals
Coach: Dwane Casey
The Big Question: After reaching their first Eastern Conference finals last season, do the Raptors have a realistic chance of beating Cleveland in the postseason?
They’ll be here: Nov. 20
6. Portland
Trail Blazers
2015-16: 44-38, lost in second round of Western Conference playoffs
Coach: Terry Stotts
The Big Question: Is there enough help in the frontcourt to go with Portland’s dynamic guards?
They’ll be here: Dec. 20
7. Boston Celtics
2015-16: 48-34, lost in first round of Eastern Conference playoffs
Coach: Brad Stevens
The Big Question: Is adding Al Horford enough to push the Celtics into contention to win the East?
They’ll be here: Feb. 8
8. Charlotte Hornets
2015-16: 48-34, lost in first round of Eastern Conference playoffs
Coach: Steve Clifford
The Big Question: Can Kemba Walker become an All-Star and get Charlotte out of the first round of the playoffs?
They’ll be here: Feb. 25
9. Utah Jazz
2015-16: 40-42, missed playoffs
Coach: Quin Snyder
The Big Question: Can Gordon Hayward become a franchise player and carry the Jazz to the postseason?
They’ll be here: March 5, March 29
10. Memphis Grizzlies
2015-16: 42-40, lost in first round of Western Conference playoffs
Coach: David Fizdale
The Big Question: Will Memphis maintain its defensive identity under a new coach and amid roster changes?
They’ll be here: Dec. 31, March 27
11. Indiana Pacers
2015-16: 45-37, lost in first round of Eastern Conference playoffs
Coach: Nate McMillan
The Big Question: Will the Pacers reach the playoffs and convince Paul George to sign a contract extension?
They’ll be here: Jan. 18
12. Oklahoma City Thunder
2015-16: 55-27, lost in Western Conference finals
Coach: Billy Donovan
The Big Question: Has the Thunder’s brass added enough players around Russell Westbrook to make the playoffs without Kevin Durant?
They’ll be here: Nov. 23, Jan. 15
13. Houston Rockets
2015-16: 41-41, lost in first round of Western Conference playoffs
Coach: Mike D’Antoni
The Big Question: James Harden will flourish under D’Antoni, but what about the Rockets’ defense?
They’ll be here: Nov. 25, April 9
14. Chicago Bulls
2015-16: 42-40, missed playoffs
Coach: Fred Hoiberg
The Big Question: Can Hoiberg smoothly blend the games of Rajon Rondo, Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler?
They’ll be here: Feb. 6
15. Atlanta Hawks
2015-16: 48-34, lost in second round of Eastern Conference playoffs
Coach: Mike Budenholzer
The Big Question: Will the addition of Dwight Howard help after the Hawks fell from 60 wins to 48 last season?
They’ll be here: Feb. 10
16. Detroit Pistons
2015-16: 44-38, lost in first round of Eastern Conference playoffs
Coach: Stan Van Gundy
The Big Question: Will Andre Drummond improve on free throws enough to stay on the floor late in games?
They’ll be here: Jan. 10
17. Washington Wizards
2015-16: 41-41, missed playoffs
Coach: Scott Brooks
The Big Question: Can Brooks maximize the talents of John Wall and Bradley Beal?
They’ll be here: March 10
18. New York Knicks
2015-16: 32-50, missed playoffs
Coach: Jeff Hornacek
The Big Question: Will Derrick Rose stay healthy and regain his superstar form alongside Carmelo Anthony?
They’ll be here: Dec. 9
19. Dallas Mavericks
2015-16: 42-40, lost in first round of Western Conference playoffs
Coach: Rick Carlisle
The Big Question: Will Harrison Barnes eventually replace Dirk Nowitzki as the team’s cornerstone player?
They’ll be here: April 4
20. Miami Heat
2015-16: 48-34, lost in second round of Eastern Conference playoffs
Coach: Erik Spoelstra
The Big Question: Who will be the leader with Wade playing in Chicago and Chris Bosh not medically cleared to play?
They’ll be here: Jan. 4
21. Kings
2015-16: 33-49, missed playoffs
Coach: Dave Joerger
The Big Question: Can Joerger turn the Kings into a defensive-minded squad and end their 10-season playoff drought?
22. New Orleans Pelicans
2015-16: 30-52, missed playoffs
Coach: Alvin Gentry
The Big Question: Will Anthony Davis and Tyreke Evans remain healthy enough to help the Pelicans return to the playoffs?
They’ll be here: Nov. 8, Feb. 12
23. Minnesota Timberwolves
2015-16: 29-53, missed playoffs
Coach: Tom Thibodeau
The Big Question: How will first-round draft pick Kris Dunn influence a young, talented team?
They’ll be here: Oct. 29, Feb. 27
24. Orlando Magic
2015-16: 35-47, missed playoffs
Coach: Frank Vogel
The Big Question: Has Orlando’s young talent been overrated or will Vogel make a difference?
They’ll be here: March 13
25. Milwaukee Bucks
2015-16: 33-49, missed playoffs
Coach: Jason Kidd
The Big Question: Is Matthew Dellavedova the point guard Kidd can rely on for the long haul?
They’ll be here: March 22
26. Denver Nuggets
2015-16: 33-49, missed playoffs
Coach: Michael Malone
The Big Question: After struggling as a rookie, can Emmanuel Mudiay bounce back?
They’ll be here: Feb. 23, March 11
27. Phoenix Suns
2015-16: 23-59, missed playoffs
Coach: Earl Watson
The Big Question: Will the Suns they trade one of their two point guards, Brandon Knight or Eric Bledsoe ?
They’ll be here: Feb. 3, April 11
28. Los Angeles Lakers
2015-16: 17-65, missed playoffs
Coach: Luke Walton
The Big Question: Will point guard D’Angelo Russell begin to fulfill his potential in Walton’s system?
They’ll be here: Nov. 10, Dec. 12
29. Brooklyn Nets
2015-16: 21-61, missed playoffs
Coach: Kenny Atkinson
The Big Question: Will general manager Sean Marks have to trade Brook Lopez as part of the rebuilding plan?
They’ll be here: March 1
30. Philadelphia 76ers
2015-16: 10-72, missed playoffs
Coach: Brett Brown
The Big Question: Will Joel Embiid’s play be as entertaining as his Twitter account?
They’ll be here: Dec. 26
This story was originally published October 21, 2016 at 8:16 PM with the headline "Ranking the NBA from No. 1 to No. 30."