NBA power rankings: Warriors, Clippers, Celtics, Bucks vying for No. 1; Kings crack top 20
1. Golden State Warriors
Last season: 53-29
The defending NBA champions are still managing unwanted drama following Draymond Green’s attack on teammate Jordan Poole, but the Warriors have organizational stability and a talented group with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Green, new addition Donte DiVincenzo and promising youngsters like Poole, Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody and James Wiseman.
2. Boston Celtics
Last season: 51-31
If the Celtics are going to get back to the NBA Finals, they will have to do it without coach Ime Udoka, who was suspended for the season due to an improper relationship with a female staffer. They brought in Malcolm Brogdon to join a core that features Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart and Al Horford.
3. Los Angeles Clippers
Last season: 42-40
The Clippers may very well represent the biggest threat to the Warriors in the West after assembling a loaded roster with a $192 million payroll. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George return from lengthy injury absences to find themselves surrounded by a supporting cast that now includes John Wall, Reggie Jackson, Norman Powell, Luke Kennard, Marcus Morris Sr., Nicolas Batum, Robert Covington and Ivica Zubac.
4. Milwaukee Bucks
Last season: 51-31
Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks were seeking their second consecutive NBA championship last season, but they bowed out in the Eastern Conference semifinals after All-Star Khris Middleton suffered a sprained MCL. Middleton hopes to be cleared for the season opener after undergoing wrist surgery.
5. Phoenix Suns
Last season: 64-18
The Suns were knocked out in the Western Conference semifinals last season after going to the NBA Finals in 2021. Devin Booker is entering his prime and Deandre Ayton is back after Phoenix matched Indiana’s offer in restricted free agency, but will Chris Paul show signs of a decline at age 37?
6. Memphis Grizzlies
Last season: 56-26
Ja Morant signed a five-year max extension over the summer after helping the Grizzlies reach the Western Conference semifinals. Kyle Anderson left via free agency. Desmond Bane, Dillon Brooks, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Steven Adams all return, although Jackson (foot) will start the season on the injured list.
7. Miami Heat
Last season: 53-29
Miami lost P.J. Tucker from a team that advanced to the Eastern Conference finals last season. Coach Erik Spoelstra still has a talented roster with Kyle Lowry, Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, Victor Oladipo and Duncan Robinson, but the Heat might need another piece.
8. Denver Nuggets
Last season: 48-34
The Nuggets are coming off a first-round playoff exit, but two-time reigning MVP Nikola Jokic has more help now with the return of Jamal Murray, who was out with a torn ACL last season, and Michael Porter Jr., who was limited to nine games due to back surgery. Denver also added Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Bruce Brown.
9. Philadelphia 76ers
Last season: 51-31
Joel Embiid, James Harden, Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris helped the 76ers advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals last season, but they couldn’t beat the Heat. This year could be different with the additions of P.J. Tucker, Montezl Harrell, De’Anthony Melton and Danuel House Jr.
10. Brooklyn Nets
Last season: 44-38
Brooklyn’s championship aspirations were undone last season by Kyrie Irving’s vaccination status and Harden’s eventual trade demand. The Nets could get back into contention this season with Irving working fulltime alongside Kevin Durant, Ben Simmons, Joe Harris and Seth Curry.
11. Dallas Mavericks
Last season: 52-30
Luka Doncic carried the Mavericks to the Western Conference finals last season. Christian Wood is a solid and perhaps more-dependable replacement for Kristaps Porzingis, but the loss of Jalen Brunson could hurt.
12. Minnesota Timberwolves
Last season: 46-36
The Timberwolves hope to build on last season’s playoff appearance after adding Rudy Gobert to a roster featuring Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards and D’Angelo Russell.
13. Toronto Raptors
Last season: 48-34
The Raptors were knocked out in the first round of the playoffs last season. They are hoping for more this season with Fred VanVleet, Gary Trent Jr., Scottie Barnes, O.G. Anunoby and Pascal Siakam returning.
14. Chicago Bulls
Last season: 46-36
The Bulls should challenge for a top-six seed in the East with a core consisting of Lonzo Ball, DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, Alex Caruso, Patrick Williams, Nikola Vucevic and Andre Drummond.
15. Atlanta Hawks
Last season: 43-39
The Hawks were disappointed with a first-round playoff loss last season. They’ve added Dejounte Murray to a group that includes Trae Young, John Collins, Clint Capela, De’Andre Hunter and Bogdan Bogdanovic.
16. New Orleans Pelicans
Last season: 36-46
C.J. McCollum, Brandon Ingram and Jonas Valanciunas helped the Pelicans advance to the playoffs last season despite the year-long absence of Zion Williamson, who is finally ready to return.
17. Cleveland Cavaliers
Last season: 44-38
The Cavaliers were surprisingly good early last season, but they ultimately lost in the play-in tournament. They’re hoping for more with Donovan Mitchell joining Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley.
18. Charlotte Hornets
Last season: 43-39
The Hornets were an entertaining bunch last season with the wizardry of LaMelo Ball, but they could take a step back given the loss of Montrezl Harrell and the absence of Miles Bridges, who remains unsigned amid legal troubles.
19. Sacramento Kings
Last season: 30-52
The return of De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis and Harrison Barnes coupled with the additions of Kevin Huerter, Malik Monk and rookie Keegan Murray have sparked high hopes for the Kings, who went 4-0 in preseason play.
20. New York Knicks
Last season: 37-45
The Knicks could see some marginal improvement this season after adding Jalen Brunson to a roster that features Julius Randle, R.J. Barrett, Evan Fournier, Cam Reddish, Immanuel Quickley and Obi Toppin.
21. Los Angeles Lakers
Last season: 33-49
The Lakers didn’t look good while going 1-5 in preseason play. Shooting and depth could be a problem and Russell Westbrook remains an awkward fit, but the biggest question is whether LeBron James and Anthony Davis can stay healthy.
22. Washington Wizards
Last season: 35-47
The Wizards have a solid supporting cast with Monte Morris, Will Barton, Kyle Kuzma and Rui Hachimura, but their hopes will hinge on the health of Bradley Beal and Porzingis.
23. Portland Trail Blazers
Last season: 27-55
Damian Lillard was limited to 29 games due to injury last season. The Blazers should push for a play-in berth with Jerami Grant joining Lillard, Anfernee Simons, Josh Hart and Jusuf Nurkic, but do they have enough?
24. Detroit Pistons
Last season: 23-59
The Pistons added rookie Jaden Ivey to a young core featuring Cade Cunningham, Killian Hayes, Saddiq Bey, Marvin Bagley III and Isaiah Stewart, but they have Cory Joseph and Bojan Bogdanovic for veteran help.
25. Indiana Pacers
Last season: 25-57
The Pacers are rebooting their roster after trading Domantas Sabonis and Malcolm Brogdon, putting their fate in the hands of Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield, Chris Duarte, Bennedict Mathurin and Myles Turner.
26. Orlando Magic
Last season: 22-60
Paolo Banchero is favored to win Rookie of the Year, but Orlando is probably a year or two away with a young core that includes Jalen Suggs, Cole Anthony and Franz Wagner.
27. Houston Rockets
Last season: 20-62
The Rockets have some promising young players in Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr., Alperen Sengun and rookie Jabari Smith Jr., but they’re not ready to win yet.
28. Oklahoma City Thunder
Last season: 24-58
Oklahoma City is building for the future with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, Lu Dort and rookie Chet Holmgren, who will sit out this season due to a foot injury.
29. San Antonio Spurs
Last season: 34-48
Gregg Popovich already holds the NBA record with 1,344 career wins. The legendary coach probably won’t add many wins to that total this season.
30. Utah Jazz
Last season: 49-33
Utah has carried out a swift and total teardown under CEO Danny Ainge, replacing coach Quin Snyder with Will Hardy while trading stars Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert.
