NBA Power Rankings: Ranking Each Team After The NBA Finals
NBA Power Rankings: Ranking Each Team After The NBA Finals
The Warriors recently won the NBA Championship, and while they celebrate their victory, let's rank every team in the NBA. Here's a look at every single team in the NBA and where they fall in the current power rankings.
30. Orlando Magic
The Magic are arguably the furthest back in their rebuild, and that’s not particularly a bad thing, since they could be just beginning their rebuild and still stripping their roster. If an 82-game season began today, I would bet on the Magic falling close to last in the standings.
29. Detroit Pistons
In a rebuild, all you want is to find your franchise player early, and the Pistons have their franchise player, but his supporting cast is going to have to develop while he does, putting them close to last. Similar to the Magic, their rebuild is in a good spot as it stands right now.
28. Portland Trailblazers
The Trailblazers are in a weird spot as they still have Damian Lillard but they’ve stripped the rest of the cast. They're still wanting to compete with Damian Lillard, but there’s no clear second star or supporting cast, but who knows what this offseason looks like for the Trailblazers.
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27. Houston Rockets
Rebuilds are not typically a quick process, but the Rockets have gotten a quick start with a solid, young core early on. Now, in a stage of player development, the Rockets don’t need to be good right now, as they’re building for something to be much longer.
26. Oklahoma City Thunder
As most of the teams prior, the Thunder are ahead in their rebuild, as they’ve gotten a solid young set of guards, with a warchest of picks and young role players. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is nearing his first All-Star berth in the next couple of seasons and his supporting cast is developing with him, where they could jump into the low 20’s in the rankings soon.
25. Indiana Pacers
The Pacers recently traded off their veterans and better players to jump into a rebuild. Before making this decision, the Pacers were a consistent playoff team, but never made any real noise. Now, they’re in a stage of loading assets and bringing in young guys, and they’ve got a good lead with Tyrese Haliburton leading the way.
24. Sacramento Kings
The Kings, who helped the Pacers launch their rebuild by trading for Domantas Sabonis, are attempting to make the playoffs for the first time in a very long time next season. With that in mind, they’re not a playoff team yet, but who knows what this offseason will hold for them.
23. San Antonio Spurs
The playoffs are something the Spurs are all too familiar with, but they’ve built a squad that sees it from just outside. They’ve got a solid squad, but need just a tad bit more talent before they can break their way into the playoffs.
22. New York Knicks
The Knicks are in a weird spot. They made the playoffs just a couple seasons back, then missed out this season. They’ve got young talent and solid role players. Now it’s just a matter of putting it all together and letting RJ Barrett grow into the main guy.
21. Washington Wizards
The Wizards have to try and retain Beal, but either way, their roster has too much talent to be a bottom feeder of the league. The way they play, Beal or not, they’ll find enough wins to be a decent squad next season.
20. Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets are a few more solid guys and some development away from making the playoffs, but in the meantime they’re talented enough to put on a show in almost every other game. LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges are thrilling players and know how to put on a show for fans.
19. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers have just barely missed the playoffs in this past season, and they had an incredible start to the season that was messed up by injuries. They’ve built a great defensive team, but in order to take it to the next level, they need to stay healthy and bring in another shot creator or two.
18. Atlanta Hawks
This young team is just two seasons removed from making the ECF. The young squad then had a rough playoff showing against the Heat. They’ve got decisions to make as to who they want to use to build around Trae Young, and Young has to learn how to expose matchups and not get taken out of a series.
17. Utah Jazz
The Jazz are on the brink of having to blow up their squad. They’ve had talented teams over the years, but none yet have been able to get it done. It’s going to take a step back before they can consider making a title push again.
16. Chicago Bulls
The healthy Bulls were at the top of the Eastern Conference for a while, and respectfully so. Without a few factors, they were defeated pretty easily by the Bucks, but it must feel good for them to have made the playoffs and they can look forward to making it a tad bit further next season.
15. Minnesota Timberwolves
The young talented squad in Minnesota gave the second-seeded Memphis a run for their money in the playoffs this year, and they looked like a team that could – with some maturing – find their way back to the playoffs next year.
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14. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers had many problems last season, causing them to miss the play-in game as a whole, but they have some hope, and his name is LeBron James. A new coach, new system, and potentially new role players will make a big difference for this squad next season.
13. Los Angeles Clippers
Before injuries, the Clippers looked like a for sure playoff team. Then, they battled injuries and kept afloat until Paul George returned. With Paul George, and missing Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers were a play-in game away from making the playoffs.
12. New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans did a 180 midway through the season, when it looked like a dud of a season, they rallied the squad and made the playoffs at the 8-seed without Zion Williamson. Now they’re expecting Williamson back next season, with roughly the same exact squad.
11. Brooklyn Nets
Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving are insanely talented and the Nets should be able to find some role players this offseason to back them, let alone Ben Simmons' return. You can nearly count on the Nets to make the playoffs again next season.
10. Toronto Raptors
The Raptors have been a super balanced squad who have been impressive in almost every aspect, and it’s likely that they won’t be going anywhere next season as their core will only mature and develop over time.
9. Denver Nuggets
If the Nuggets can get healthy, they’re automatically a contender, as we’ve seen in years past, as they have a multi-time MVP as well as two co-stars that complement Jokic very well.
8. Philadelphia 76ers
If Harden can get healthy and learn the system, the squad will be looking very fresh and solid going into next season. Their ability to score, even when shots won’t fall, will remain valuable from the whole squad thanks to the free throw line.
7. Dallas Mavericks
Luka Doncic proved he’s going to be at the top of the league for a while, and his team is going with him. They made the WCF in impressive fashion before losing to the eventual champions.
6. Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies have finally emerged as a contender, but they’ve got to get over one last hill. Once they do that, they’ll be in play to win their first title with their current core. A little maturing to go and they’ll be at that point.
5. Miami Heat
Jimmy Butler and the rest of the culture were a win away from their second finals appearance in three years, before losing in the last minute. They’re going to build off of their strong ECF season and look to make it back next season.
4. Boston Celtics
The Celtics got over the hump and made the finals, before losing in 6 games to the Warriors. Getting over the hump is a great start to eventually winning the franchise’s 18th championship.
3. Milwaukee Bucks
The 2021 champs looked like they were on their way to attempt a repeat until an injury of their second best player, Khris Middleton, took place. With health being a top priority, the Bucks will be in the same place next season.
2. Phoenix Suns
After making the Finals two seasons ago, the Suns took a punch in the mouth against the Mavs in the second round, but they’re going to retool and look to make another playoff push next season. They’re a great team that took a tough fall in the postseason.
1. Golden State Warriors
Not much needs to be said about the champions. They were great this season and postseason. Their depth was incredible and they found ways to win when they were experiencing issues. They’ll attempt to retain all rotational players, and while it will be pricey, it will be worth it.