Now that we’re nearly halfway through the NBA regular season, it’s time to update our previous rankings. The top tier is clearly defined and so is the bottom tier — the Cooper Flagg tier —- where seven teams reside. Each is probably hoping to land the Duke freshman star in the 2025 NBA Draft on June 25.
(All records and statistics are through Sunday’s games. Previous ranking from Nov. 26 is in parentheses.)
Inner circle of title contenders
The four best teams in the NBA are also, unsurprisingly, the four deepest teams in the league.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers: 33-5 (Previous ranking: 2)
The Cavs have the best offense in the league by far (122.6 points per 100 possessions) and are on a 71-win tempo.
2. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder: 32-6 (Earlier rating: 3)
The Thunder have the most effective protection within the league by far (103.9 points per 100 possessions) and are on a 69-win tempo.
3. Boston Celtics: 28-11 (Earlier rating: 1)
The Celtics look bored, however there aren’t many groups that may hold tempo once they’re locked in and firing up almost 50 three-pointers each sport.
4. New York Knicks: 26-14 (Earlier rating: 9)
The five-man lineup of Karl-Anthony Cities, Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges and Jason Hart has performed an ominous 666 minutes together this season — 226 greater than any five-man lineup within the NBA.
Outer circle of title contenders
Although not as stacked because the tier above, these groups have many of the elements of a contender and can simply want slightly luck with good well being and/or roster tinkering by the commerce deadline to compete for a championship.
5. Denver Nuggets: 23-15 (Earlier rating: 5)
Probably the most spectacular a part of Nikola Jokic’s season (31.6 PPG, 13 RPG, 9.9 APG and a league-leading 47.7 p.c from three) is that he has Russell Westbrook taking part in first rate basketball once more.
6. Memphis Grizzlies: 25-14 (Earlier rating: 13)
Their report is all of the extra spectacular when you think about Ja Morant has solely performed in 22 video games.
7. Dallas Mavericks: 22-17 (Earlier rating: 8)
So long as Luka Doncic (out with a calf harm) and Kyrie Irving (out with a again harm) are wholesome come playoff time, they’ll be troublesome to take down in a seven-game sequence.
8. Houston Rockets: 25-12 (Earlier rating: 6)
Make it some extent to observe Amen Thompson someday — he’s among the best athletes within the NBA. Head coach Ime Udoka has turned him into his little pit bull.
9. Orlando Magic: 23-18 (Earlier rating: 7)
Paolo Banchero is lastly again after lacking many of the season with a hamstring subject, and if Franz Wagner (indirect) and Jalen Suggs (again) make it again from their accidents, nobody will wish to play these guys within the playoffs.
10. Milwaukee Bucks: 20-17 (Earlier rating: 14)
Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez and even Damian Lillard can look previous on any given evening, however Giannis Antetokounmpo (31.7 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 6.1 APG) all the time offers them an opportunity.
Playoff groups with larger ceiling
These playoff-caliber groups can persuade themselves they’re one transfer or slightly harm luck away from contending, however they’re in all probability fallacious.
11. Los Angeles Lakers: 20-16 (Earlier rating: 12)
The Dorian Finney-Smith commerce was a step in the suitable course, however the Lakers might want to make one other transfer or two to provide LeBron James and Co. one other shot at a hoop.
12. Minnesota Timberwolves: 20-18 (Earlier rating: 10)
It is secure to say that the Timberwolves are regretting buying and selling Karl-Anthony Cities for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo.
13. Los Angeles Clippers: 20-17 (Earlier rating: 15)
It’s a testomony to Ty Lue that he has this Clippers workforce within the playoff combine with out Kawhi Leonard for all however two video games to date.
14. Indiana Pacers: 22-18 (Earlier rating: 19)
Till mid-December, the Pacers have been one of many larger disappointments within the NBA, however they’ve ripped off a six-game successful streak.
The fiasco tier
These groups are having pretty disastrous seasons for varied causes. What’s their transfer? Make an enormous commerce? Blow it up?
15. Miami Warmth: 20-17 (Earlier rating: 18)
The destiny of the Warmth is determined by who wins the staring contest between probably the most cussed males in basketball, Pat Riley or Jimmy Butler.
16. Sacramento Kings: 20-19 (Earlier rating: 17)
Nicely, their season seemed to be a fiasco after firing Mike Brown in late December, however the Kings are on a seven-game successful streak.
17. Golden State Warriors: 19-19 (Earlier rating: 4)
Surprise if the Warriors are kicking themselves for not coughing up the coin for Lauri Markkanen or Paul George this previous summer time?
18. Phoenix Suns: 19-19 (Earlier rating: 11)
Bradley Beal and his no-trade clause — probably the most undeserving no-trade clause in NBA historical past — is holding one more franchise hostage.
19. Philadelphia 76ers: 15-22 (Earlier rating: 23)
Think about how depressing this franchise can be if Tyrese Maxey (25.7 PPG, 5.9 APG) wasn’t such a enjoyable and likable younger star.
A profitable season it doesn’t matter what occurs tier
These groups have younger gamers making leaps, so the whole lot else this season is gravy.
20. San Antonio Spurs: 18-19 (Earlier rating: 16)
The Victor Wembanyama Leap is upon us (28 PPG, 11.3 RPG, 4.2 APG in his previous 23 video games).
21. Detroit Pistons: 20-19 (Earlier rating: 20)
The Cade Cunningham Leap is upon us (24.2 PPG, 9.5 APG, 6.7 APG this season).
22. Atlanta Hawks: 19-19 (Earlier rating: 21)
This workforce has three legit Most Improved Participant candidates (Jalen Johnson, De’Andre Hunter and Dyson Daniels) and a Rookie of the 12 months candidate (Zaccharie Risacher). Life is nice at .500!
The Bulls
Too dangerous to make the playoffs, however too good to get a excessive draft choose.
23. Chicago Bulls: 18-21 (Earlier rating: 22)
On the intense aspect, Nikola Vučević (20.3 PPG, 10.2 RPG and 55.8-43.3-81.8 taking pictures splits) is taking part in properly sufficient that he in all probability has commerce worth once more.
The Cooper Flagg tier
These groups higher be sending scouts to each Duke sport the remainder of the season.
24. Portland Path Blazers: 13-25 (Earlier rating: 26)
They’ve good items (Deni Avdija, Shaedon Sharpe and others), however they’re lacking the celebrity.
25. Brooklyn Nets: 13-26 (Earlier rating: 22)
The Nets have been taking part in so properly that they needed to begin buying and selling gamers (Dorian Finney-Smith and Dennis Schröder) to allow them to be within the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes.
26. New Orleans Pelicans: 8-32 (Earlier rating: 25)
Zion Williamson is again from his hamstring harm, in order that’ll get the Pelicans again on monitor, proper? (Oh wait, he simply acquired suspended for conduct detrimental to the workforce.)
27. Utah Jazz: 10-28 (Earlier rating: 28)
Excited to see who Danny Ainge fleeces in a commerce this deadline.
28. Charlotte Hornets: 8-28 (Earlier rating: 27)
What’s the over/underneath on playoff sequence gained by a workforce with LaMelo Ball as its start line guard? 1.5? 0.5?
29. Toronto Raptors: 8-31 (Earlier rating: 29)
Scottie Barnes (20.3 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 6.4 APG with 47.1-28.7-73.2 taking pictures splits) is a pleasant participant, however are we positive he’s the franchise cornerstone the Raptors suppose he’s?
30. Washington Wizards: 6-31 (Earlier rating: 30)
Nobody cares as a result of it’s the Wizards, however Kyle Kuzma is mailing it in so badly this season that the U.S. Postal Service ought to think about submitting for a restraining order towards him for the harm he is doing to the mailman occupation (14.6 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2.1 APG with 44.2-25.9-59.6 taking pictures splits).
