The NBA Season tips off tomorrow night. Which contending teams will top our power rankings?
The NBA season tips off tomorrow, and while the league might need 82 games to figure out who’s who, I’m here to save everyone some time. Let’s just say my preseason power rankings should be considered the gospel on all things basketball—because, let’s be honest, they’re better than any of the cookie-cutter takes you’re getting from the national media. I’ve got my finger on the pulse of the league, and if you can’t see the truth in these rankings, you might as well sit out the season.
To keep things interesting, we’re focusing on the top 12 teams. Why? Because we don’t need to waste time debating who’s the 23rd best team in the league. Nobody’s here to argue about the mediocrity of the Pistons or Hornets. This list is about the contenders, the teams that matter. And yes, our very own Minnesota Timberwolves made the cut. Let’s dive into the rankings:
You have to give it to them—they’re the defending champs for a reason. The last time we saw the Celtics in a meaningful game, they were curb-stomping the Mavericks in Game 5 of the Finals. They barely touched the roster this offseason, and why would they? When you’re the best team in the league from start to finish, you don’t mess with the formula. Sure, Kristaps Porzingis is out for a while with an ankle injury, and there’s always the risk of some post-title drama, but this core is tight. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are entering the “prove it” phase of their careers—can they go from champs to dynasty, or will they crumble under the weight of high expectations? Stay tuned.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder
OKC at No. 2 feels like it should come with a disclaimer because, honestly, it pains me to rank them this high. But here we are. The Thunder basically won the offseason, adding Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein to an already dangerous young squad. They were a contender for the #1 seed in the West all year until late-season chaos kicked them up to the top peg. Respect is due, but let’s not crown them just yet. Sometimes preseason hype leads to regular-season disappointment. We’ll see if these kids can handle the pressure or if they’ll end up reading their own press clippings and believing they’re better than they are.
Putting Dallas here is less about belief and more about respect. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving showed flashes of brilliance last season, leading the Mavs all the way to the Western Conference Finals. They didn’t quite get it done, but that kind of offensive firepower keeps you in the top five, no questions asked. The addition of Klay Thompson could provide some extra shooting, even if he’s past his prime. Injury concerns are real with this team, but if they can keep their stars healthy, nobody’s eager to face them in a playoff series.
4. Minnesota Timberwolves
Ah, the Timberwolves. Last year’s Western Conference leaders for most of the regular season, only to stumble in the stretch after Karl-Anthony Towns went down. Then they went on a defensive tear in the playoffs before falling to Dallas in the Conference Finals. This season, the Wolves enter a new era without Towns, but with Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo stepping in to fill the gaps. It’s Anthony Edwards’ team now—no debate. He’s made the leap to superstar status and could be knocking on the MVP door if he takes another step forward. This team is loaded with potential, and if Edwards hits his ceiling, the Wolves could be bringing a championship parade to Minnesota sooner than you think.
5. Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets are not the same team that hoisted the Larry O’Brien trophy back in 2023. Their depth has taken hit after hit—most recently losing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in free agency. But they still have Nikola Jokic, who remains the best player on the planet (for now), and Jamal Murray, who forms one of the league’s top duos with him. Denver’s still dangerous, but I’m not convinced they’re a bigger threat to the Wolves now than they were last year. If these two meet for the third straight postseason, I’m taking Edwards and the Wolves to come out on top.
The Knicks are suddenly everyone’s dark horse pick in the East after adding Mikal Bridges and KAT this offseason. Health will be the deciding factor for this team. Tom Thibodeau is notorious for grinding his players to the bone, so we’ll see if the Knicks have enough gas in the tank come playoff time. They certainly appear to have made the leap, but let’s hold off on the Eastern Conference title parade until we see this team stay healthy through 82 games.
The Sixers are loaded on paper, boasting Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and the newly acquired Paul George. But “on paper” doesn’t win championships, especially when your best player hasn’t had a full season of health in recent memory. If Embiid can avoid the injury bug, they have a shot at the Finals. But I’m not holding my breath.
8. Phoenix Suns
The Suns’ big three of Durant, Beal, and Booker looked like a potential championship recipe last season, but then the Wolves swept them out of the playoffs. They still have star power, but depth is a serious concern. And let’s not forget Durant got schooled by Ant in that series, a torch-passing moment if I’ve ever seen one. New coach Mike Budenholzer has a lot of work to do to make this roster gel into a true contender.
After back-to-back first-round exits, the Bucks have a lot to prove. Giannis is still Giannis. Damian Lillard admitted to not working out at all last off-season to prevent an injury that would tank his trade, so we may see a different player in year 2. Doc Rivers will get his shot to bring some stability now that he’s able to command the team from the start. Regardless, this team needs to show they can still compete at an elite level before we start taking them seriously as title contenders again.
10. Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies are a tough call. Ja Morant’s suspensions and injuries derailed last season, but this team has talent and grit. They’re not exactly sneaking up on anyone as the media’s “sleeper pick” darlings, so it’ll be on them to prove they’re back to their old selves. If Ja can return to form, they could easily climb these rankings.
11. Indiana Pacers
The Pacers made a surprising run to the Eastern Conference Finals, powered by Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam. They’re not the flashiest team, but they get the job done. I wouldn’t bank on another deep playoff run, but they’ll be a tough out for anyone.
12. Orlando Magic
The Magic are sneaky good. With a young core of Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs, they’re poised to make a leap. They’re not ready to contend for the East yet, but they’ll be a team nobody wants to see in the first round.
And that wraps up the first edition of my power rankings. It’s a little tough to put the Wolves down at No. 4, but don’t worry—they’ll climb their way to the top soon enough. This team has championship potential, and with Ant ready to take over the league, I wouldn’t bet against them making a serious run.
Let’s go, Wolves.