NBA Power Rankings. Updated Oct. 24, 2023.
Milwaukee Bucks
This was a very difficult choice. On one hand, the Nuggets are the defending champions and I have them repeating, but I simply think that the Bucks have the NBA’s best roster. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard are a historically incredible duo, and Milwaukee has a third all-star in Khris Middleton. And then with Brook Lopez, Bobby Portis, Jae Crowder, Cam Payne and Malik Beasley, the Bucks are stacked. To me, Milwaukee’s roster has, by a decent margin, the most talent in the NBA.
Denver Nuggets
As I said, I have the Nuggets repeating as champions. Nikola Jokic’s dominance currently cannot be stopped; Jamal Murray has become their much-, much-needed second star; and Michael Porter and Aaron Gordon are borderline stars too. Those guys give Denver an excellent four-man foundation. The team’s one issue is depth, as the club lost a few key bench guys in Jeff Green and Bruce Brown. That leaves the Nuggets needing younger guys like Christian Braun and Julian Strawther to help.
Boston Celtics
With Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis in town, the Celtics have four in-their-prime stars, and with Jayson Tatum, an MVP candidate. Boston also has the contract of the ridiculously, ridiculously overpaid Jaylen Brown, which is obvious, but I just really wanted to mention his historic, hilarious deal. The Celtics lost a lot of elite depth pieces though, and that depth was a huge part of the team. They really need some of their young guys to take bigger roles, plus they also need one more big. Boston could easily have the most wins in the NBA this season.
Phoenix Suns
The Suns could have the most wins in the league this season as well, as Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal makes for a special trio, and they added much-needed depth, mostly from the Deandre Ayton trade. Jusuf Nurkic is not Ayton, but he fits well at center, and having Eric Gordon, Damian Lee, Yuta Watanabe and Grayson Allen gives Phoenix four elite shooters to complement the stars. I’m not in love with the Suns’ defense or size, but they should have the NBA’s top offense.
Golden State Warriors
As long as the Warriors have Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green healthy, they have a chance at their fifth title. This season though, Golden State really has to rely on its young talent: Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moodey, Trace Jackson-Davis and Brandin Podziemski. The Warriors simply lack quality veteran role players. It will be quite interesting to see how Chris Paul will fit and if he will fit, but I think he will settle into a sixth man role. Golden State is the last team with a legitimate shot at a title.
Sacramento Kings
The Kings return basically the same team, and although talent-wise they aren’t sixth, they have elite chemsitry and effort. Sacramento was not able to add a third star to go with Domantas Sabonis and superstar De’Aaron Fox though. In their favor, the Kings signed arguably the top player in Europe, re-signed Harrison Barnes, and will have further development from potential star Keegan Murray. The Kings have a chance at another very big season.
Los Angeles Clippers
Paul George and Kawhi Leonard are ready to start the season, hence the Clippers should be a 55-win team. They were smart not to pay the Sixers’ price for Harden, as he would not be a strong pairing with the Clippers’ all-stars, but a deal still has a chance of happening. Regardless, the Clippers will likely have almost the same team as a season ago. They have excellent depth, but it’s depth that should be used to find a non-Russell Westbrook point guard in a trade. If the Clippers have their two stars though, they are elite, it’s that simple.
Philadelphia 76ers
I doubt that James Harden will be traded to the Clippers, so this is assuming he isn’t. Joel Embiid is an MVP, a superstar and simply cannot be stopped. Tyrese Maxey has become a very skilled second star whose efficiency was sensational. The 76ers had a nice offseason too, adding veterans Danny Green, Patrick Beverly and Kelly Oubre who fit the culture very well. Oubre gives the 76ers a lot of what Tobias Harris gives them for a fraction of the cost, but I’m one of the few who still appreciates what Harris brings to them. As for Harden, although angry, he should give them 22-10. They are one more star from being close to Milwaukee and Boston, but are an excellent team.
Miami Heat
The Heat came from nowhere to win the East. It wasn’t about their talent; it was their physical style of play, incredible coaching, and Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler playing impossibly well. Now, however, they have lost a lot of depth. Miami also couldn’t trade for Damian Lillard, and team’s wont take the Heat as lightly now, so they are difficult to place. If they had Lillard, the team would probably be second or third in the Eastern Conference
Los Angeles Lakers
I have the Lakers as the sixth team in the West here, which probably won’t be liked by LeBron James or Laker fans, but they have the same roster that I previously considered simply alright. I love Austin Reaves, who gives the Lakers a legit third option after LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but they lack the star power to be special.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers were really solid a season ago with the big addition of Donovan Mitchell, but he’s not the kind of star who can help them become a contender in the East. He’s a Robin on a contender, not Batman. The key for Cleveland is third-year big man Evan Mobley making the jump to all-star. If he can, the Cavaliers would be in the running with Miami and Philadelphia as the biggest threat to the Celtics and Bucks.
New York Knicks
Jalen Brunson has won me over; he’s a star. R.J. Barrett, however, really needs to take that next step, improve as a shooter, and increase his points from 19 to at least 22. Immanuel Quickley is my pick for the Sixth Man of the Year award, and I think his points will rise, as will his influence; I also like Quentin Grimes. I have not considered Julius Randle a star with the Knicks, as his style of play hasn’t helped the team win, but what they need is a true superstar. They won’t win until they have one.
Brooklyn Nets
I’m a fan of the Nets’ roster. Mikal Bridges is close to becoming a superstar and is one of the elite two-way players in the league. Cam Johnson really improved after being sent to the Nets, but they need him to increase his scoring. They also have several special role players, but if they get Ben Simmons at 75% of what he was, that’s a stud. There is a ton of potential with Brooklyn, but the team needs Simmons to ball this season.
Chicago Bulls
It may be my obvious bias as a born and raised Chicagoan, but I honestly see the Bulls as a 45-win team. I see Zach LaVine having the biggest statistical season of his career, DeMarDeRozan accepting the secondary role, the Bulls using Nikola Vucevic more smartly, and Coby Williams and Patrick White, their two young guys having big campaigns. I have faith in this Bulls squad.
Memphis Grizzlies
Ja Morant missing the first 25 games because of suspension hurts, but Memphis has Marcus Smart, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. to carry the load and Morant will return with a vengeance. Those 25 games will hurt the team’s record and seeding.
New Orleans Pelicans
If healthy, New Orleans has an elite duo of Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson, which has been a huge if. But the Pelicans also still have C.J. McCollum at guard and rookie scorer Jordan Hawkins, plus their depth is pretty solid, so I see them as a playoff team.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Anthony Edwards is should become a superstar this season, and Karl-Anthony Town is a star too, but after Mike Conley and Rudy Gobert, there just isn’t much there. In a crowded conference, Minnesota’s potential has a pretty set limit as a No. 7-10-seed team.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has become a superstar, which alone makes the Thunder dangerous, but with prized rookie Chet Holmgren and the versatile Josh Giddey, the Thunder have a unique star trio. Oklahoma City also has quietly strong depth and should compete for a playoff spot in a loaded conference.
Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks may have Luka Doncic, who is the NBA’s No. 4 player, in my opinion, and Kyrie Irving, who is also a superstar, but there still is no legitimate help. Adding Grant Williams, Dereck Lively and Seth Curry was nice, but the West is simply loaded this season and the Mavericks lack at least one more big piece to be a threat in their conference this season.
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors need to be selling off their assets – O.G. Anunoby, Pascal Siakam – for max value and building around picks, Gradey Dick and prized forward Scottie Barnes. Instead, Toronto went the opposite route. I doubt this team makes the playoffs.
Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks are a lesser team this season due to the trade of John Collins and no real roster improvement. If the Trae Young of three seasons ago is there, he can carry them to the playoffs, and I love Dejounte Murray, but I still can’t see them making it. Atlanta had a poor offseason.
Indiana Pacers
The Pacers have improved, but so have many teams in the East. I love the additions of Obi Toppin and Jarace Walker, but Indiana’s season really depends on how excellent Tyrese Haliburton, Myles Turner and Bennedict Mathurin are. Bruce Brown is also important, but he’s a role player. I have no idea why the Pacers gave him more than $45 miillion.
Portland Trail Blazers
The Trail Blazers had a crazy offseason with the Damian Lillard trade demand, the drafting of Scoot Henderson, the trading away of Damian Lillard, and then the trading of Jrue Holiday. Portland now has a very young and talented team. Henderson will be a star, and Deandre Ayton could be one too in Portland. With Robert Williams III, the Trail Blazers have an excellent big duo; while Malcolm Brogdon, Shaedon Sharpe and Anfernee Simons give them incredible guard talent; and veteran Jerian Grant will give them 20+ points. You have to love their roster, but the Trail Blazers need a few seasons to get to the playoffs. Brogdon and Grant will also likely be on the trade market.
Utah Jazz
The Jazz were a fluke last season, as there is no way they should have been as solid as they were. Their big trio of Lauri Markkanen, John Collins and Walker Kessler is excellent, but after Jordan Clarkson, their roster is ridiculously young and they lack an actual point guard – Collin Sexton should be a sixth man. I see zero chance of Utah making the playoffs, but a number of potential trades – Sexton, Clarkson, Collins and Kelly Olynyk.
San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs have Victor Wembanyama, so that’s a start. They also have Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell signed long-term, plus Jeremy Sochan and Tre Jones signed for three more seasons, so they have a foundation. Now, San Antonio just needs to continue to improve as a team.
Orlando Magic
Second-year coach Jamahl Mosley has some young talent in the Wagner brothers and reigning Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero, but it will likely be a struggle to keep this team’s head above water in an Eastern Conference that keeps on getting stronger and stronger.
Houston Rockets
Houston’s group of young talent – Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., Alpernen Sengun, Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore – is incredible, and the first three will improve on very promising campaigns, but they have help now. The Rockets paid around $300 million for Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks, Jeff Green and Jock Landale, – four big overpays – but regardless, the young guys have help. The Rockets may end up with 15 wins or they may have 35; it’s impossible to tell. Jalen Green, Amen Thompson and Alpernen Sengun give Houston three potential stars.
Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets have LaMelo Ball, who should be an all-star this season, and the second pick from the 2023 NBA Draft, Brandon Miller, who has huge scoring potential. Miles Bridges is in trouble again though, and Kai Jones was just waived due to behavior, so the Hornets have already had problems. And despite how much I like veteran P.J. Washington, second-year big Mark Williams and rookie guard Nick Smith Jr., Charlotte won’t be in playoff contention.
Detroit Pistons
The Pistons have Monty Williams as coach, which is huge, and although they have an incredible group of young talent – Cade Cunningham, Marcus Sasser, Ausar Thompson, Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren and James Wiseman – and a proven No. 1 scorer in Bojan Bogdanovic, there is another year or two of seasoning sorely needed. The Pistons will be improved, but their wins will not be plentiful.
Washington Wizards
The Wizards have some interesting talent, but at least for now, they are obviously the weakest team in the NBA. Washington has two big-time weapons in guard Jordan Poole, who will have some monster stats, and forward Kyle Kuzma, who is a 20-point scorer as well. After that, it’s a pretty not impressive roster.