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2023-2024 Pre-Season Power Rankings and Divisional Predictions:
1. Toronto Raptors
Two time defending champions. Not much else to say here. They brought back all of their core for at least one more season, and they didn't have anybody collapse in TC. The core 4 of Wall, Antetokounmpo, Davis, and Okafor should be able to carry them to legitimate three peat contention. The East has lots of competition to offer, like the 76ers, the Pistons, and the Nets, but this conference still runs through Toronto until further notice
2. San Antonio Spurs
The Luka Doncic show. San Antonio has, probably, the best point guard in the league and after a stellar CPU Preseason, he looks like he has broken out in a huge way for San Antonio. They made the decision to bring back Jaren Jackson Jr on a big deal, so they are hoping he takes a step in the right direction. Anthony Bennett, while they gave up a lot to acquire him, continues to be a steal on his contract. This is a well rounded team who looks like they will be battling the Rockets for the 1 seed in the west.
3. Houston Rockets
Coming off of what some considered to be a big surprise season, the Rockets are entering this season with even loftier expectations. They have the reigning MVP in Lonzo Ball, who is surrounded by a litany of good defenders both in the post and on the perimeter. They could use some extra offensive jumps from players like Justise Winslow and Stanley Johnson, but the Rockets should be a top 2 team in the west.
4. Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers have lost to the Raptors in back to back seasons in the conference finals. So their goal this offseason was simple: How do we get over the hump in Toronto? Whether or not they or anybody else in the East will be capable of it, the 76ers are in one of the best positions to do so. They brought back their star guard in Tyrese Haliburton, ensuring that the potent backcourt tandem of Tyrese Haliburton and Ja Morant stays in Philly for years to come. Jaxson Hayes proved to be a great mid season addition last season, and they added Nicolas Claxton on a cheap long term deal in free agency to further beef up their frontcourt. They made moves, but the Raptors still stand in their way
5. Detroit Pistons
The Pistons come into this season after a few disappointing playoff performances, a first round exit to the Knicks, sandwiched between second round losses to each of their eastern conference foes ranked ahead of them in this ranking. The loss of Derrick Williams stings for their backcourt defense, but they replaced his scoring with Doug McDermott, and added some shot blocking in Prince Ibeh and JJ Hickson via trades and free agency. They return their main duo of Bobby Portis and Nikola Jokic as well. The Pistons are counting on Portis being healthier and more available than he was last season, so they come into the season with championship aspirations.
6. Memphis Grizzlies
This was my favorite team to rank. They made a bunch of big swings in the offseason with the additions of Kawhi Leonard and Blake Griffin, as well as the return of Klay Thompson and addition of Derrick Favors to an already deep frontcourt, and Jrue Holiday to backup star point guard Markelle Fultz via free agency. This is a very talented team at the top, but their depth will make or break them. Can Griffin give them one last productive season? Can Holiday keep them afloat during the minutes that Fultz is on the bench? Time will tell, but this team could easily win the west if everything goes their way.
7. New Jersey Nets
Another team with a few possible outcomes this season, but the talent is undeniable. Jayson Tatum is a superstar at forward, but Cade Cunningham has not developed as the Nets may have hoped. Russell Westbrook is going into his age 34 season, but he is proving to age well at point guard. The front court lacks depth behind veteran big man DeAndre Jordan, but otherwise this team is very talented. Top heavy maybe, but talented and young. While they might not be title contenders just yet, they could be a pesky first or second round playoff matchup for the heavy hitters in the east
8. New York Knicks
The Knicks are one of the two teams in the bottom half of the top ten that could make me look dumb. Wayne Ellington continues to be a superstar. He is joined in the backcourt by Fred Van Fleet and Gary Harris, forming possibly the best backcourt in the league. However, they have not seen a lot of postseason success during this era of Knicks basketball. They have been a team right on the edge of breaking through to the conference finals and possibly the finals for a couple years now, and this year they come into the season with the same expectations, though time might be running out given that Ellington is now 35 years old. Zach Edey was a top ten pick that they have to be very excited about, but its now or never in New York.
9. Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets were a hard team to rank. Stephen Curry is an undeniable talent, but he is 35 now with no rings to show for all of his incredible seasons in the league. Jamal Murray continues to develop into a star guard, but on the flip side, their frontcourt leaves a little bit to be desired. Steph Curry will almost certainly lead them to the playoffs, but will the lack of impactful big men be their undoing in the postseason?
10. Utah Jazz
The Jazz are the other team in the back end of the top ten who could make me look stupid, and I would assume that they won’t be ranked this low for a long time moving forward. They had some miraculous lottery luck, and that luck landed them megastar prospect Victor Wembanyama, who looks like he escaped his first TC unscathed. Pairing him with the great drafting that the Jazz have done recently, and they are a team that is on an upward trajectory once again. Late first round picks like Obadiah Noel and Grant Golden, just to name a couple, have proven to be diamonds in the rough for Utah, and the additions of De’Aaron Fox, Myles Turner, and Pascal Siakam in recent offseasons might have them ready to compete earlier than we might expect, depending on what Wembanyama looks like as a rookie. If its not this year, though, the west will have to deal with the Jazz for years to come afterwards.
11. Milwaukee Bucks
The greatest player we have seen in this iteration is on the back end of his career, and his HOF partner looks like he might have hit the wall, but this is still a team that has championship moxie that is looking to make one more run at a title with the historic duo of Rose and Love.
12. Cleveland Cavaliers
The post LeBron era has been off to a decent start with the development of young stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Zion Williamson, but it remains to be seen if the Cavaliers can do what they didn’t do with LeBron, and build around them.
13. Portland Trail Blazers
The Blazers have been consistently good. Not great. Not bad. Just consistently good. In the playoffs. Winning divisions, but I would wager that they either have their eyes set on more, or they could be looking down the barrel of finally tanking.
14. Sacramento Kings
The Kings were a double surprise last season. Nobody expected them to struggle to get to .500, and then the rattled off a deep playoff run. Donovan Mitchell is a star, so this team could very well be better than this ranking shows them to be.
15. Los Angeles Clippers
Another team with stars in their backcourt that might lack the depth down low to really compete, but this should be a fun, high scoring team. Should be.
16. Seattle Supersonics
The Sonics have had a couple of high picks not seem to work out for them of late. Brunson and Holmgren look solid, but not like the stars they were hoping to become. They are hoping now that Keyonte George can buck that trend.
17. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers could prove to be a bit of a wild card. They are always active in the offseason, and this offseason was no different. This is another team who could outperform this ranking due to the additions of Michael Beasley and Mario Hezonja.
18. Orlando Magic
The Magic struck gold with Marvin Bagley III, but it looks like he might be spending his prime seasons somewhere other than Orlando, if someone gives them a good offer for him.
19. Chicago Bulls
Another team with their hope in young players. Young guys like Jalen Green, Ron Harper, and rookie Isaiah Stewart III could maybe sneak the bulls into the playoffs as an 8 seed.
20. Miami Heat
The Heat have done well for themselves in their post Michael Beasley era. The duo of Jontay Porter and Josh Giddey looks like a nice launching point if they can stay out of trouble off the court
21. Minnesota Timberwolves
The Wolves looked like they might have been a team selling off, but then they signed Derrick Williams and Matisse Thybulle to healthy long term deals in free agency. Could sneak in as the 8 seed in the west.
22. Indiana Pacers
The Pacers have been somewhat plagued recently by the Demarcus Cousins contract. A good player, but too expensive to be traded. Don’t expect them to make too much noise this season, but you never know.
23. Dallas Mavericks
How will you remember the Michael Beasley Dallas Mavericks era?
24. Phoenix Suns
The Suns have been a very active team in each of the last few offseasons, but they have also given out a couple lottos from previous trades. They own their picks in the next couple drafts, so they will hope to get some good fortune to add next to LaMelo Ball, NAW, and Lively II.
25. Boston Celtics
Deni Advija is a hot topic of conversation, but otherwise the Celtics will probably be looking forward to the lottery as well. Coulibaly looks like he will be a solid player, but the Celtics will probably be picking early again in next year’s draft. Let it be known that I think Deni is gonna be a really good player. Probably.
26. Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks have had a hard time in the draft and with TCs of late, so they are hoping for a break in that trend this upcoming season.
27. Washington Wizards
After being on the hot seat, the Wizards made a couple of good picks in the draft. Another team hoping for mercy via the lotto next season.
28. New Orleans Hornets
The Hornets were reeling after losing out on Wembanyama in the lottery, but now they can look forward to probably having the first overall pick for Alex Sarr or Zaccharie Risacher!
Standings (“***” means 1 seed, “**” means division winner,“*” means playoffs)
Atlantic Division
Philadelphia 76ers (57-25)**
New Jersey Nets (52-30)*
New York Knicks (49-33)*
Orlando Magic (37-45)*
Miami Heat (33-49)
Boston Celtics (38-54)
Washington Wizards (22-60)
Central Division
Toronto Raptors (59-23)***
Detroit Pistons (56-26)*
Milwaukee Bucks (46-36)*
Cleveland Cavaliers (44-38)*
Chicago Bulls (35-47)
Indiana Pacers (31-51)
Atlanta Hawks (29-53)
New Orleans Hornets (18-64)
Midwest Division
San Antonio Spurs (60-22)***
Houston Rockets (58-24)*
Memphis Grizzlies (53-29)*
Denver Nuggets (50-32)*
Utah Jazz (49-33)*
Minnesota Timberwolves (35-47)
Dallas Mavericks (34-48)
Pacific Division
Portland Trail Blazers (45-37)**
Sacramento Kings (43-39)*
Seattle Supersonics (41-41)*
Los Angeles Clippers (40-42)
Los Angeles Lakers (38-44)
Phoenix Suns (28-54)
Golden State Warriors (19-63)
1. Toronto Raptors
Two time defending champions. Not much else to say here. They brought back all of their core for at least one more season, and they didn't have anybody collapse in TC. The core 4 of Wall, Antetokounmpo, Davis, and Okafor should be able to carry them to legitimate three peat contention. The East has lots of competition to offer, like the 76ers, the Pistons, and the Nets, but this conference still runs through Toronto until further notice
2. San Antonio Spurs
The Luka Doncic show. San Antonio has, probably, the best point guard in the league and after a stellar CPU Preseason, he looks like he has broken out in a huge way for San Antonio. They made the decision to bring back Jaren Jackson Jr on a big deal, so they are hoping he takes a step in the right direction. Anthony Bennett, while they gave up a lot to acquire him, continues to be a steal on his contract. This is a well rounded team who looks like they will be battling the Rockets for the 1 seed in the west.
3. Houston Rockets
Coming off of what some considered to be a big surprise season, the Rockets are entering this season with even loftier expectations. They have the reigning MVP in Lonzo Ball, who is surrounded by a litany of good defenders both in the post and on the perimeter. They could use some extra offensive jumps from players like Justise Winslow and Stanley Johnson, but the Rockets should be a top 2 team in the west.
4. Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers have lost to the Raptors in back to back seasons in the conference finals. So their goal this offseason was simple: How do we get over the hump in Toronto? Whether or not they or anybody else in the East will be capable of it, the 76ers are in one of the best positions to do so. They brought back their star guard in Tyrese Haliburton, ensuring that the potent backcourt tandem of Tyrese Haliburton and Ja Morant stays in Philly for years to come. Jaxson Hayes proved to be a great mid season addition last season, and they added Nicolas Claxton on a cheap long term deal in free agency to further beef up their frontcourt. They made moves, but the Raptors still stand in their way
5. Detroit Pistons
The Pistons come into this season after a few disappointing playoff performances, a first round exit to the Knicks, sandwiched between second round losses to each of their eastern conference foes ranked ahead of them in this ranking. The loss of Derrick Williams stings for their backcourt defense, but they replaced his scoring with Doug McDermott, and added some shot blocking in Prince Ibeh and JJ Hickson via trades and free agency. They return their main duo of Bobby Portis and Nikola Jokic as well. The Pistons are counting on Portis being healthier and more available than he was last season, so they come into the season with championship aspirations.
6. Memphis Grizzlies
This was my favorite team to rank. They made a bunch of big swings in the offseason with the additions of Kawhi Leonard and Blake Griffin, as well as the return of Klay Thompson and addition of Derrick Favors to an already deep frontcourt, and Jrue Holiday to backup star point guard Markelle Fultz via free agency. This is a very talented team at the top, but their depth will make or break them. Can Griffin give them one last productive season? Can Holiday keep them afloat during the minutes that Fultz is on the bench? Time will tell, but this team could easily win the west if everything goes their way.
7. New Jersey Nets
Another team with a few possible outcomes this season, but the talent is undeniable. Jayson Tatum is a superstar at forward, but Cade Cunningham has not developed as the Nets may have hoped. Russell Westbrook is going into his age 34 season, but he is proving to age well at point guard. The front court lacks depth behind veteran big man DeAndre Jordan, but otherwise this team is very talented. Top heavy maybe, but talented and young. While they might not be title contenders just yet, they could be a pesky first or second round playoff matchup for the heavy hitters in the east
8. New York Knicks
The Knicks are one of the two teams in the bottom half of the top ten that could make me look dumb. Wayne Ellington continues to be a superstar. He is joined in the backcourt by Fred Van Fleet and Gary Harris, forming possibly the best backcourt in the league. However, they have not seen a lot of postseason success during this era of Knicks basketball. They have been a team right on the edge of breaking through to the conference finals and possibly the finals for a couple years now, and this year they come into the season with the same expectations, though time might be running out given that Ellington is now 35 years old. Zach Edey was a top ten pick that they have to be very excited about, but its now or never in New York.
9. Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets were a hard team to rank. Stephen Curry is an undeniable talent, but he is 35 now with no rings to show for all of his incredible seasons in the league. Jamal Murray continues to develop into a star guard, but on the flip side, their frontcourt leaves a little bit to be desired. Steph Curry will almost certainly lead them to the playoffs, but will the lack of impactful big men be their undoing in the postseason?
10. Utah Jazz
The Jazz are the other team in the back end of the top ten who could make me look stupid, and I would assume that they won’t be ranked this low for a long time moving forward. They had some miraculous lottery luck, and that luck landed them megastar prospect Victor Wembanyama, who looks like he escaped his first TC unscathed. Pairing him with the great drafting that the Jazz have done recently, and they are a team that is on an upward trajectory once again. Late first round picks like Obadiah Noel and Grant Golden, just to name a couple, have proven to be diamonds in the rough for Utah, and the additions of De’Aaron Fox, Myles Turner, and Pascal Siakam in recent offseasons might have them ready to compete earlier than we might expect, depending on what Wembanyama looks like as a rookie. If its not this year, though, the west will have to deal with the Jazz for years to come afterwards.
11. Milwaukee Bucks
The greatest player we have seen in this iteration is on the back end of his career, and his HOF partner looks like he might have hit the wall, but this is still a team that has championship moxie that is looking to make one more run at a title with the historic duo of Rose and Love.
12. Cleveland Cavaliers
The post LeBron era has been off to a decent start with the development of young stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Zion Williamson, but it remains to be seen if the Cavaliers can do what they didn’t do with LeBron, and build around them.
13. Portland Trail Blazers
The Blazers have been consistently good. Not great. Not bad. Just consistently good. In the playoffs. Winning divisions, but I would wager that they either have their eyes set on more, or they could be looking down the barrel of finally tanking.
14. Sacramento Kings
The Kings were a double surprise last season. Nobody expected them to struggle to get to .500, and then the rattled off a deep playoff run. Donovan Mitchell is a star, so this team could very well be better than this ranking shows them to be.
15. Los Angeles Clippers
Another team with stars in their backcourt that might lack the depth down low to really compete, but this should be a fun, high scoring team. Should be.
16. Seattle Supersonics
The Sonics have had a couple of high picks not seem to work out for them of late. Brunson and Holmgren look solid, but not like the stars they were hoping to become. They are hoping now that Keyonte George can buck that trend.
17. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers could prove to be a bit of a wild card. They are always active in the offseason, and this offseason was no different. This is another team who could outperform this ranking due to the additions of Michael Beasley and Mario Hezonja.
18. Orlando Magic
The Magic struck gold with Marvin Bagley III, but it looks like he might be spending his prime seasons somewhere other than Orlando, if someone gives them a good offer for him.
19. Chicago Bulls
Another team with their hope in young players. Young guys like Jalen Green, Ron Harper, and rookie Isaiah Stewart III could maybe sneak the bulls into the playoffs as an 8 seed.
20. Miami Heat
The Heat have done well for themselves in their post Michael Beasley era. The duo of Jontay Porter and Josh Giddey looks like a nice launching point if they can stay out of trouble off the court
21. Minnesota Timberwolves
The Wolves looked like they might have been a team selling off, but then they signed Derrick Williams and Matisse Thybulle to healthy long term deals in free agency. Could sneak in as the 8 seed in the west.
22. Indiana Pacers
The Pacers have been somewhat plagued recently by the Demarcus Cousins contract. A good player, but too expensive to be traded. Don’t expect them to make too much noise this season, but you never know.
23. Dallas Mavericks
How will you remember the Michael Beasley Dallas Mavericks era?
24. Phoenix Suns
The Suns have been a very active team in each of the last few offseasons, but they have also given out a couple lottos from previous trades. They own their picks in the next couple drafts, so they will hope to get some good fortune to add next to LaMelo Ball, NAW, and Lively II.
25. Boston Celtics
Deni Advija is a hot topic of conversation, but otherwise the Celtics will probably be looking forward to the lottery as well. Coulibaly looks like he will be a solid player, but the Celtics will probably be picking early again in next year’s draft. Let it be known that I think Deni is gonna be a really good player. Probably.
26. Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks have had a hard time in the draft and with TCs of late, so they are hoping for a break in that trend this upcoming season.
27. Washington Wizards
After being on the hot seat, the Wizards made a couple of good picks in the draft. Another team hoping for mercy via the lotto next season.
28. New Orleans Hornets
The Hornets were reeling after losing out on Wembanyama in the lottery, but now they can look forward to probably having the first overall pick for Alex Sarr or Zaccharie Risacher!
Standings (“***” means 1 seed, “**” means division winner,“*” means playoffs)
Atlantic Division
Philadelphia 76ers (57-25)**
New Jersey Nets (52-30)*
New York Knicks (49-33)*
Orlando Magic (37-45)*
Miami Heat (33-49)
Boston Celtics (38-54)
Washington Wizards (22-60)
Central Division
Toronto Raptors (59-23)***
Detroit Pistons (56-26)*
Milwaukee Bucks (46-36)*
Cleveland Cavaliers (44-38)*
Chicago Bulls (35-47)
Indiana Pacers (31-51)
Atlanta Hawks (29-53)
New Orleans Hornets (18-64)
Midwest Division
San Antonio Spurs (60-22)***
Houston Rockets (58-24)*
Memphis Grizzlies (53-29)*
Denver Nuggets (50-32)*
Utah Jazz (49-33)*
Minnesota Timberwolves (35-47)
Dallas Mavericks (34-48)
Pacific Division
Portland Trail Blazers (45-37)**
Sacramento Kings (43-39)*
Seattle Supersonics (41-41)*
Los Angeles Clippers (40-42)
Los Angeles Lakers (38-44)
Phoenix Suns (28-54)
Golden State Warriors (19-63)
