The landscape of the NBA is continually shifting, and there have been some major changes right before the start of preseason. The biggest is the Karl-Anthony Towns trade that has given the Knicks a four-time All-Star center.
That has taken the Knicks even higher up the standings since our last power rankings. A slew of preseason injuries have affected other teams, dropping them down the list.
With rosters mostly set, here’s how each team is looking headed into the 2024-25 season.
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1. Celtics (–)
The Celtics might not be as good of a regular season team as last year, given that Kristaps Porzingis will miss the beginning of the season, but they won the East by 14 games. There’s still a sizable gap between them and the rest of their conference.
Jaylen Brown looks huge and motivated to overcome his perceived slight of not making the Olympic roster. Jayson Tatum has reportedly fixed a hitch in his shot. Joe Mazzulla is still keeping his foot all the way on the gas, vowing that training camp will be “super hard.”
These guys are bringing back their same roster, which is so deep that Lonnie Walker might not even make the team. They’re championship favorites until proven otherwise.
2. Thunder (–)
The Thunder have last year’s Coach of the Year in Mark Daigneault, an MVP candidate in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and added two playoff-tested pieces in Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein to a roster that earned the No. 1 seed in the West last year. They also have playoff experience that was sorely lacking in last year’s playoffs
The one concern with the Thunder is how much they may regress due to injuries. They were the healthiest team in the league last year. They have good depth to deal with that issue, though.
3. Knicks (+1)
The Knicks were already one of the powerhouses of the East. They’ve considerably raised their ceiling in trading for Towns. He’s one of the best big man shooters in NBA history and gives them a way to play five-out offense. That should make Jalen Brunson even more deadly.
Depth is an issue for the Knicks, who only have six dependable rotation players on their roster (or seven once Mitchell Robinson returns in December or January). Could another move be coming down the pipeline?
KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS TRADE GRADES: How Knicks, Timberwolves, Hornets fared in blockbuster involving Julius Randle
4. Mavericks (-1)
The Mavericks are a better team than the group that got them to the Finals last year. Klay Thompson is going to get the easiest shots of his life playing next to Luka Doncic, Naji Marshall and Quentin Grimes give them great wing depth, and Doncic looks like he’s in great shape to start the year.
Dallas has gotten stronger while the teams around it (excepting OKC) have gotten weaker. That should help the Mavericks improve from their No. 5 finish in the West last year.
5. 76ers (–)
Joel Embiid has lost 25 to 30 pounds during the offseason to better prepare for the rigors of the year. He’ll have less of a load on him with the improvement of Tyrese Maxey and the addition of Paul George.
The Sixers have also greatly improved the depth of their roster, adding the self-proclaimed best rebounder of all time in Andre Drummond, Caleb Martin and Eric Gordon. Olympic star Guerschon Yabusele will get a chance for redemption in his NBA career, too.
6. Nuggets (+2)
Jamal Murray got his big contract extension, cementing Denver’s core around Nikola Jokic. That is one of the few constants around this team.
The Nuggets won’t have Kentavious Caldwell-Pope for cost-cutting reasons, which makes them worse. Michael Malone’s idea of using Russell Westbrook as a late-game defensive stopper sounds shaky. Michael Porter Jr. has bulked up to play more power forward.
If it sounds like the Nuggets are throwing stuff at the wall, it’s because they are. Jokic is still good enough to keep them in this contender circle, but they’re worse than last year.
MORE: Breaking down Nuggets’ salary cap after Jamal Murray contract extension
7. Bucks (-1)
The Bucks looked like a totally different team when Khris Middleton was available last year. It’s not great news then that Middleton had surgery on both his ankles during the offseason and isn’t ready to practice fully yet.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is still going to be one of the best players in the league, as he showed in the Olympics. And Damian Lillard should be more acclimated to the team. But they aren’t going anywhere unless they can have a healthy Middleton.
8. Timberwolves (-2)
The Wolves badly needed guard depth. Donte DiVincenzo helps them there. He had some huge games in the playoffs, and his shooting will be vital. But Minnesota lost more spacing in swapping Towns out for Julius Randle, who has been a horrendous playoff performer. Couple that with Rudy Gobert’s ineffectiveness this summer during the Olympics, and the Wolves look worse than they did last season.
9. Cavaliers (–)
For once, the Cavaliers won’t have to worry about trade rumors surrounding their team. Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen are signed to extensions that should quell those discussions temporarily.
They should see more improvement with incoming coach Kenny Atkinson, who helped lead France to a silver medal as an assistant. The Cavs have the talent, but J.B. Bickerstaff never could fit the pieces together. They should be a great regular-season team with terrific defenders and good depth after bringing back Isaac Okoro late in the offseason.
10. Suns (–)
This might be placing the Suns too low. The offseason additions of Tyus Jones and Monte Morris are going to be huge for them, shoring up their most glaring issue last year of a lack of point guard play. Kevin Durant still looks like he can be the guy judging from the Olympics, and Devin Booker is malleable to whatever the team needs.
Health is always going to be the big factor for the Suns. They look good for now.
11. Magic (–)
The Magic’s defense looks even stronger with the addition of Caldwell-Pope. Jonathan Isaac is a Defensive Player of the Year candidate and has added 30 pounds of muscle in an attempt to stay healthier. These guys are going to be tough to play, but can they score enough? Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner will have to show that they can hit more 3s this season.
12. Pacers (–)
Tyrese Haliburton looked like two different players last season. He was a dark horse MVP candidate at the beginning of the year, but hamstring injuries slowed him down. He should be back to full health to start this season, and a full year with Pascal Siakam will keep the Pacers as the most dangerous transition team in the league.
13. Grizzlies (–)
The Grizzlies’ poor injury luck looks like it hasn’t gone away. GG Jackson already has a severe ankle injury and Vince Williams Jr. suffered a stress reaction in his left tibia. Those injuries, along with Derrick Rose’s unexpected retirement, should be mitigated by the return of Ja Morant and Marcus Smart. Memphis should be back to the 51-win pace of two seasons ago.
MORE: Why the Grizzlies drafted Zach Edey higher than expected
14. Pelicans (–)
The Pelicans indicated that they are comfortable moving forward with Daniel Theis as their primary center. That is the one glaring weakness for this team going forward, but they have too much talent to start and Zion Williamson looks like he’s in great shape. New Orleans is going to be the dark horse in the West.
15. Heat (–)
The Heat don’t look like a great team on paper. Jimmy Butler hasn’t been able to stay totally healthy in recent years, and Miami isn’t comfortable with giving him a long extension. The front office also didn’t add much from a roster that won 46 games last year.
The Heat always find a way, though. Bam Adebayo should continue to anchor a top-10 defense, Terry Rozier will get to show what he can do and Erik Spoelstra is going to get the most out of this group.
16. Kings (–)
The Kings have the best No. 3 guy in the league in DeMar DeRozan. That might help them boost their offense back to what it was two seasons ago when they were the surprise team of the league. Rookie Devin Carter’s shoulder surgery puts a damper on the start of their season.
MORE: DeMar DeRozan trade grades for Bulls and Kings
17. Warriors (–)
The Warriors lost Klay Thompson but have better depth and are hoping that Buddy Hield can replace his shooting. Stephen Curry looked like he was still one of the best players in the league during the summer.
There are nights when Golden State will look like a championship contender. Can the Warriors bring that consistently enough on an aging roster?
MORE: Three trades to get Stephen Curry the Warriors help he needs
18. Lakers (–)
The Lakers made almost no changes to their roster aside from drafting Dalton Knecht and Bronny James. Is that enough to get them out of the Play-In Tournament by the end of the year?
They’re hoping that a change in coaching will propel them up the standings. They’re riding the same starting lineup that carried them to the Western Conference Finals two seasons ago, which is a good start for the JJ Redick regime.
MORE: JJ Redick’s vision for LeBron James, Anthony Davis can solve LA’s biggest problems
19. Rockets (—)
The Rockets are the deepest team in the league, according to owner Tillman Fertitta. They may not have the top-end talent of other playoff teams, but they do have a nice mix of veterans and youth.
Alperen Sengun looked poised to become one of the best big men in the league before his late-season injury. Fred VanVleet has given this team toughness. Jalen Green finally found his groove at the end of the year. Add in promising prospects in Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard, Jabari Smith Jr. and others, and Houston is one of the more interesting teams in the league.
20. Clippers (-1)
Kawhi Leonard’s health is already becoming a storyline — he revealed that inflammation in his knee could be something he deals with for the rest of his career.
Leonard’s knees make an offseason in which the Clippers lost Paul George even tougher to deal with. LA doesn’t have the top-end talent to compete in a brutal Western Conference anymore.
MORE: Inside Paul George’s decision to leave Clippers for 76ers
21. Spurs (–)
What is the ceiling for Victor Wembanyama? He’s gained 25 pounds during the offseason and proved that he was one of the best players in the world in leading France to a silver medal.
Along with Wembanyama’s internal improvement, the Spurs have added a real point guard in Chris Paul and another needed veteran in Harrison Barnes. That should have them taking a step forward this season.
MORE: Why Chris Paul is joining the Spurs for his 20th NBA season
22. Raptors (–)
RJ Barrett and Gradey Dick quietly had tremendous finishes to the season when nobody was watching the Raptors. Scottie Barnes should continue to grow from his All-Star season, and Immanuel Quickley is locked up to a long-term deal. That should make Toronto contenders for the Play-In Tournament.
MORE: Why Gradey Dick, Trey Murphy III, Dyson Daniels are the best Most Improved Player candidates
23. Jazz (–)
The Jazz have a weird mix of players. In extending Lauri Markkanen, they signaled he’s going to be around for a while. But they’ve been rumored to be listening on offers for Walker Kessler, and Markkanen isn’t going to get much help with project rookies in Cody Williams, Kyle Filipowski and Isaiah Collier.
24. Hawks (–)
The Hawks didn’t miss Dejounte Murray much in games where they had Trae Young. Trae will have a chance to lead the show once again, now with No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher in the fold and a great defensive partner next to him in Dyson Daniels.
This is a retooling year for Atlanta, and it should compete for its annual Play-In spot.
25. Hornets
The Hornets were a good team the last time they got good health out of LaMelo Ball. Mark Williams won’t be healthy for the start of the year, but Nick Richards is a decent backup. Grant Williams also played well to close the year, along with fellow mid-season acquisitions Vasilije Micic and Tre Mann. They should be significantly better than last season.
26. Bulls (–)
The Bulls stated they’re going to try and win as many games as possible despite owing a top-10 protected pick to the Spurs. They will be bad anyway.
With Josh Giddey, Zach LaVine, Coby White and Nikola Vucevic in the starting lineup, the Bulls are guaranteed to be a bottom-10 defense. They will also have poor shooting, and Giddey’s ankle injury in the Olympics may have him coming out of the gate slowly.
MORE: Duke’s Cooper Flagg headlines USA Select Team for 2024 Paris Olympics
27. Nets (–)
The Nets lost their best scorer in Mikal Bridges but are hoping that Ben Simmons can return to his old form. Good luck with that.
Brooklyn will be one of the few teams with cap space next summer. Until then, this will be a rebuilding year.
MORE: Ben Simmons uses career triple-doubles to claim he’s ‘not that bad at basketball’
28. Blazers (–)
Donovan Clingan lived up to the promise in Summer League. Deni Avdija was a nice trade acquisition in the offseason, giving Portland a 3-and-D wing. But the Blazers haven’t made enough changes to improve much from their 21 wins last year.
29. Wizards (–)
The Wizards are taking the patient approach, drafting project big man Alex Sarr and potential steal Bub Carrington. Bilal Coulibaly should get more minutes this season, too. It will be another year of rebuilding for Washington.
30. Pistons (–)
The Pistons won’t be as bad as they were during last year’s miserable 14-win campaign, but this is still a young roster that is incorporating two more rookies in Ron Holland and Bobi Klintman.
Could Washington have one move left in the tank? It’s the only team with cap space remaining, making it a natural partner in a three-team deal.
