NBA Power Rankings: Six teams land in the inner circle of contenders

The 2024-25 NBA season begins on October 22nd, so it’s time to rank all 30 teams.

Are the Celtics contenders for a repeat? Are the Lakers worth mentioning among title contenders? Which team has the best starting lineup?

Let’s go…

(Last year’s regular season record is shown in parentheses.)

Inner circle of title contenders

There are no ifs or buts about these six teams that have championship caliber rosters.

1. Boston Celtics (64-18): Look at the point differential and roster talent and you’ll see that the 2023-24 Celtics had an eerie reminder of the 2014-15 Warriors, who finished 67-15, won the NBA title and won five straight finals took part.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder (57-25): Adding top players Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein to a team that had the league’s third-best offensive rating and fourth-best defensive rating last season could be a recipe for a title.

3. New York Knicks (50-32): The Knicks should have the best starting lineup in the NBA (Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart and OG Anunoby), but they need to stay healthy.

4. Minnesota Timberwolves (56-26): They can get lost in the sauce of franchise turmoil and the KAT trade or remember that they have Anthony Edwards and an elite defense. Let’s choose the latter.

5. Denver Nuggets (57-25): Their semblance of invincibility is gone, but they still have the best player in the world in Nikola Jokic.

6. Dallas Mavericks (50-32): Luka Doncic’s first foray into the NBA Finals was unsuccessful, but if he is the generational player we all think he is, he will come back with a vengeance this season.

Outer circle of title contenders

This group of eight has the talent to convince each other that they are competitors.

7. Phoenix Suns (49-33): This squad features top-notch talent like Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, an optimal roster structure around them, and a new coach (Mike Budenholzer) who does nothing but win a ton of games in the regular season.

8. Philadelphia 76ers (47-35): The front office did its job this offseason. Now it’s time for Joel Embiid and Paul George, the constant excuse makers, to come forward.

9. Los Angeles Lakers (47-35): This team won 47 games and the NBA Cup last season with a subpar head coach (Darvin Ham). So if JJ Redick turns out to be a difference-making HC, they will exceed expectations.

10. Memphis Grizzlies (27-55): A healthy lineup of Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Marcus Smart, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Zach Edey will compete like hell and produce stack wins in every game.

11. Orlando Magic (47-35): Elite defense + great depth + a young superstar (Paolo Banchero) = a legitimate shot at a top-four spot in the Eastern Conference.

12. New Orleans Pelicans (49-33): When the Pelicans come to town, opponents won’t have much time to prepare for their unique centerless lineup featuring point point Zion Williamson and strong defensemen Herb Jones, Trey Murphy III, Dejounte Murray and Brandon Ingram.

13. Milwaukee Bucks (49-33): Sorry Giannis, it’s not you, it’s the old supporting cast and coaching staff.

14. Golden State Warriors (46-36): This is entirely out of respect for Steph Curry – Golden State needs 70+ games from him, good behavior from Draymond Green and a jump from Jonathan Kuminga to compete this season.

One trade away…if it’s the right trade

These teams have good rosters and a variety of tradeable assets that could move them up a notch or two with the right move.

15. Indiana Pacers (47-35): The Pacers will always cause problems for opponents with their quick pace and spacing, but they have a dozen players who need minutes, so a consolidation swap will be necessary.

16. Cleveland Cavaliers (48-34): Like Indiana, Cleveland is ripe for a midseason move as its core (Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen) may have hit a hard limit as a second-round team.

17. Houston Rockets (41-41):
Keep an eye on the Rockets – they’re young and athletic as hell, well-coached and ready to make a big splash.

18. Miami Heat (46-36): Heat President Pat Riley will soon turn 80 and we’re nearing the end of a legendary basketball life. Is this the season he makes his move?

Hamster wheel of mediocrity

These teams are in NBA purgatory: not good enough to win a playoff series, but too good to tank.

19. Sacramento Kings (46-36): The Kings will compete for a playoff spot because they have good regular season players Domantas Sabonis and DeMar DeRozan, but they would need a big jump from De’Aaron Fox or Keegan Murray to move up a level.

20. Los Angeles Clippers (51-31): The Thunder own the rights to LA’s 2025 first-round pick, so expect HC Ty Lue, Kawhi Leonard, James Harden and Co. to do their best to make the playoffs.

21. Atlanta Hawks (36-46): Trae Young is on his way to becoming the greatest play-in tournament player in NBA history!

22. Chicago Bulls (39-43): Worst-run franchise in the NBA.

On the right track

This quartet of teams all have fascinating young squads and are just a good year of development away from being lively next season.

23. San Antonio Spurs (22-60): Be prepared for anything from Wemby this season — quadruple-doubles, Defensive Player of the Year, an All-NBA appearance — but a playoff spot still seems far-fetched.

24. Utah Jazz (31-51): Goals for 2024-25: Develop Keyonte George, trade Jordan Clarkson and Collin Sexton for more assets and secure a top-five pick for a future star to team with Lauri Markkanen.

25. Toronto Raptors (25-57): Can Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett or Immanuel Quickley step up and change the trajectory of this franchise over the next five seasons, or do the Raptors need a little lottery luck?

26. Charlotte Hornets (21-61): Get ready to jump from Brandon Miller.

Half-mast “Flags”

These teams stink, but the 2025 NBA Draft class is full of potential franchise players (including Duke’s Cooper Flagg), so there’s no shame in tanking this season.

27. Portland Trail Blazers (21-61): The Blazers have a bizarre collection of intriguing young players and solid role players that hinder the development of these young players.

28. Detroit Pistons (14-68): Let’s hope all these losses don’t ruin Cade Cunningham.

29. Washington Wizards (15-67): Better focus on Jayden Daniels and the Commanders this season.

30. Brooklyn Nets (14-68): Welcome to The Cam Thomas Show!