The landscape of the 2024-25 NBA season is beginning to take shape. The Celtics lead the pack after winning the 2024 NBA Finals, but beyond Boston, the league is wide open.
With most of the more significant free agent signings and trades out of the way, we’re taking a look at the league from top to bottom in the latest installment of our NBA power rankings. Here’s where all 30 teams shake out in the early stages of the offseason.
All NBA odds are current as of Monday, July 8, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
NBA Power Rankings 2024
| Rank | Team | 2023-24 Record |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Celtics | 64-18 |
| 2 | Thunder | 57-25 |
| 3 | Knicks | 50-32 |
| 4 | Mavericks | 50-32 |
| 5 | Timberwolves | 56-26 |
| 6 | 76ers | 47-35 |
| 7 | Nuggets | 57-25 |
| 8 | Pacers | 47-35 |
| 9 | Bucks | 49-33 |
| 10 | Cavaliers | 48-34 |
| 11 | Suns | 49-33 |
| 12 | Magic | 47-35 |
| 13 | Kings | 46-36 |
| 14 | Lakers | 47-35 |
| 15 | Clippers | 51-31 |
| 16 | Heat | 46-36 |
| 17 | Pelicans | 49-33 |
| 18 | Warriors | 46-36 |
| 19 | Grizzlies | 27-55 |
| 20 | Spurs | 22-60 |
| 21 | Rockets | 41-41 |
| 22 | Hawks | 36-46 |
| 23 | Raptors | 25-57 |
| 24 | Bulls | 39-43 |
| 25 | Jazz | 31-51 |
| 26 | Hornets | 21-61 |
| 27 | Trail Blazers | 21-61 |
| 28 | Wizards | 15-67 |
| 29 | Nets | 32-50 |
| 30 | Pistons | 14-68 |
NBA Power Rankings: Trending Up 📈
New York Knicks (No. 3)
The Knicks went 50-32 this past season despite getting 69 combined appearances from Julius Randle and OG Anunoby, the latter of whom was acquired via an in-season trade. New York’s impressive campaign ended with a second-round exit, but it’s clear that this team has yet to reach its peak.
The franchise continued building this summer, bringing in defensive-minded forward Mikal Bridges before re-signing Anunoby to a five-year deal. Bridges is a seamless fit on both ends of the floor, and his history with Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, and Josh Hart should help to minimize any growing pains.
New York still needs to find another big to replace Isaiah Hartenstein, but assuming it can effectively shore up its depth, this team will be well-positioned to make a run at its first NBA title since 1973. Expect some epic battles with the Celtics and Sixers.
Betting Tip: The Knicks have the third-shortest odds to win the Eastern Conference at (+450). If you’re in on New York, I would take this NBA bet of the day before the season begins.
Philadelphia 76ers (No. 6)
Philadelphia shot up the NBA Finals odds board after adding veteran forward Paul George via free agency. The 34-year-old is a nine-time All-Star and former MVP finalist, and when he’s playing at the top of his game, he’s one of the best two-way players in the NBA.
Health has been a concern for George over the last handful of seasons, but if he can stay on the floor, the 76ers could really have something here. The same goes for 2022-23 NBA MVP Joel Embiid, who averaged 34.7 points per game last year in 39 appearances.
This top-heavy roster is rounded out by Tyrese Maxey, who signed a five-year, $204 million extension to remain in Philadelphia this summer. Still, the Sixers desperately need to build a well-rounded roster around their three stars to make good on their championship-caliber ceiling.
San Antonio Spurs (No. 20)
The Spurs are still a little ways away from competing for an NBA title, but it’s hard not to be optimistic about their future after seeing what Victor Wembanyama achieved in his rookie year. The 7-foot-4 phenom averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and a league-high 3.6 blocks in 29.7 minutes per game.
In hopes of speeding up the team’s development, San Antonio added veterans Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes to its young core. Paul remains an excellent facilitator and is an ideal mentor for No. 4 pick Stephon Castle, while Barnes’ leadership can elevate the likes of Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan, and Keldon Johnson.
With that said, don’t be surprised if the Spurs compete for a playoff spot in 2024-25. The West is as competitive as ever, but this team is already a far cry from the one that went 22-60 last year, and the season hasn’t even started yet.
NBA Power Rankings: Trending Down 📉
Denver Nuggets (No. 7)
Denver’s window hasn’t closed, but it has gotten considerably tighter. With young, hungry teams like Dallas, Oklahoma City, and Minnesota rising up, their grip on the Western Conference feels especially loose heading into the 2024-25 season.
It doesn’t help that the Nuggets lost Kentavious Caldwell-Pope via free agency. The 31-year-old was a reliable contributor on both ends of the floor throughout his two years in Denver, but the franchise didn’t have the wiggle room to run it back.
Moving forward, the Nuggets will have to lean a bit more on their youth — namely Christian Braun and Peyton Watson — than we’ve come to expect. However, as long as Nikola Jokić is on the floor, Denver can compete with anybody.
Los Angeles Clippers (No. 15)
The Clippers weren’t on the same page as Paul George when it came to his next contract, and as such, they’ll make their move to Inglewood without him. Perhaps it’ll end up being for the best, but as of now, this team simply doesn’t look as strong on paper as it did to close the 2023-24 season.
Los Angeles is still headlined by Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, but it’s unclear who the third option will be on offense. Norman Powell ranked fourth on the team in scoring this past year (13.9 points per game), with Ivica Zubac (11.7 PPG) not far behind.
Nonetheless, the Clippers look poised to lean more on their defense heading into the 2024-25 campaign. Incoming forward Derrick Jones Jr. was a bright spot for Dallas last season, and Zubac remains one of the NBA’s most underrated rim protectors.
Chicago Bulls (No. 24)
The Bulls have been dancing around the prospect of a full-on rebuild for what feels like a lifetime, but after moving on from DeMar DeRozan, Alex Caruso, and Andre Drummond, it looks like the franchise could finally be coming around to the idea.
That’s not a bad thing, either. Chicago was never going to win a championship with DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Nikola Vučević leading the way — that core peaked with a 46-36 campaign in 2021-22 — and it’s in the team’s best interest to capitalize on whatever value they have left and look toward the future.
There are some promising, young talents on this roster, too. Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu made big strides in 2023-24, rookie Matas Buzelis has plenty of upside, and there may still be hope for Josh Giddey, who is coming off a down year with Oklahoma City.
