Wild's Weekly NBA Power Rankings and Tiers

With pre-season coming to an end, it Is time for the first instalment of power rankings and tiers. Here each tier will be broken down to show which teams are better or worse in that tear.

Tier 1: The Lakers

1. Los Angeles Lakers

This team is the real deal. There is no other way to put it. The Lakers hard arguably the best offseason in the league this and followed that momentum into a 4-0 pre-season record. Some of those games included rest nights for Lebron and AD showing that this team is good even without their best two players. Kuzma and Talen Horton Tucker came alive in the pre-season, and this team is only going to get better

Tier 2: Championship Contenders

2. Los Angeles Clippers

A lot of people are saying the Clippers got worse this offseason but switching Harrell for Ibaka and Landry Shamet for Luke Kennard are both pretty solid moves to fit the playstyle of this team. Similarly, Paul George saying that he owes this team a championship could signify a return to near-MVP form for the former 3rd place finisher. This team is still as strong as they were last year, or close to it, and will be a more serious threat with Ibaka in the playoffs than we saw last year.

3. Milwaukee Bucks

Milwaukee’s big offseason move was the trade for Jrue Holiday that saw them send three first round picks and two pick swaps back to New Orleans. That is a lot, but it got Giannis to resign. Without the Giannis drama hanging over their head and boasting a roster with some former all stars and a perennial MVP candidate, this team will be great in the regular season. The question comes in the playoffs, but we will have to wait and see on the impact Jrue can make.

4. Brooklyn Nets

I know that this might be getting a little bit ahead of myself, but this team looked amazing in pre-season. KD looked like the same KD with a little rust, while Kyrie showed his knee and shoulder injuries have clearly healed well. This team has one of the best players in the league with a great supporting cast. It is tough to see a result where they are not a top team in the east and win over 50 games.

Tier 3: Dark Horse Championship Contenders and Probable Top Seed Teams

5. Denver Nuggets

Denver was a true surprise in last year’s bubble. I get they were the three seed before, but no one could have expected the fire that was lit under Jamal Murray that lead the Nuggets to the western conference finals (further than the Clippers have ever made it as a franchise). While the loss of Jerami Grant will certainly hurt this team defensively, MPJ is a serious offensive threat and will be a steady third scorer for this team.

6. Dallas Mavericks

Last year in the games where Luka played, the Mavs had a win percentage similar to the third-place finishers (the Nuggets). Still, with Porzingis out, and less perimeter shooting (traded Seth Curry for Josh Richardson), this Mavs team will not be the same number one offense we saw last regular season and into the first round of the playoffs. Luka is the favourite for MVP this year, and this Mavs team will likely take a top-4 seed in the western conference making for a strong playoff team come June.

7. Miami Heat

Miami made noise last season as they pushed to their first finals appearance sine 2014 with the big three. The reason Miami is not higher after their performance is because they took their “jump” already. This team is not going to be better than they were in the playoffs last season, and losing Jae Crowder can foreshadow issues of a Giannis problem as Crowder was the primary defender. This team can still be great, but they have the same shot of making it to the finals as they did last year – a minimal one.

8. Boston Celtics

Boston lost Gordon Hayward for nothing this offseason, illustrating the end of the old Celtics with IT, Kyrie, Horford and Hayward all either being traded or leaving in free agency over the last four years. Tatum showed flashes of brilliance after the all-star break last season, but was not as dominant in the bubble. There is potential for this team to be great, but one of the young players needs to take a jump.

Tier 4: New Additions Can Make or Break

9. Portland Trailblazers

The Blazers finished last season on a tear, then got demolished by the Lakers in the first round. I believe had they not played the Lakers, and Dame not injured his hand, the Blazers could have made some noise in the playoffs. This season they have upgraded, trading for Covington and bringing in Kanter. They are deep, with Melo, Trent, Kanter and Simons all coming off the bench, this team is the best team Lillard has had since Aldridge left. However, instead of being lead by a slow power forward, this Blazers team will be led by a possible MVP candidate. Do not count this team out.

10. Phoenix Suns

Phoenix made some noise this offseason when they traded for CP3 after finishing 8-0 in the bubble. This team has hope and is on track for success this year. Booker and Ayton looked great during pre-season (even though Paul already got injured). If they can stay healthy, and not get suspended, this team will make the playoffs and if they gel right, this team could make a deep push. Do not underrate the depth this team has at wing with Bridges, Johnson and Crowder, this team is ready to take on the wing heavy Lakers and Clippers

11. Philadelphia 76ers

The addition of Daryl Morey and Doc Rivers have been and will be huge for this team. While I do not think Doc is as amazing of a championship-winning coach as others make him out to be, he does know how to get the best from his players in the regular season. Morey was amazing this offseason, getting rid of the Horford contract and bringing in shooting via Green and Curry. This team now has pieces in place that should help Embiid and Simmons coexist. Worst comes to worst, a Harden trade could always be a way out if the season goes poorly.

Tier 5: Lower Seeded Playoff Teams

12. Golden State Warriors

This may be high for a team lacking star power with Klay Thompson out, but any team with a top 7 player in the league has an almost perennial playoff spot locked up. Curry looked good in the preseason, putting up high scoring games while taking a lot of shots. This team is yet to play a game with Green or Wiseman. The big question is does this team have any depth, and they looked surprisingly deep in preseason. Poole, Lee and Mulder looked like they could all shoot the ball well, which could help Kerr form a decent bench unit.

13. Utah Jazz

Utah did not make many big moves this offseason, re-signing Clarkson and giving Gobert a huge contract extension. However, this team does have Donavan Mitchell, who was on fire in the first round of last playoffs. If Mitchell can build off that momentum and bring more offense to a strong defensive team, the Jazz could move up a tier. This team relies on Gobert and Mitchell, but having Bogdanovic back after he missed last season’s playoffs could bring the Jazz into unexpected territory with a top 5 seed this season.

14. Toronto Raptors

Toronto lost both Ibaka and Gasol this offseason, but did end up nabbing Aaron Baynes from the Suns, and re-signed Chris Boucher. Baynes and Boucher may not be quite as adaptable as Ibaka and Gasol but should not be a large drop-off. Lowry will also be one year older, and likely a step slower, where VanVleet may be the primary guard for the Raptors this year. This team is deep like usual but lacks true star power outside of Siakam (if even). It would be a surprise to see the raptors finish as a top 4 seed in the east, but somehow, they always seem to prove their doubters wrong.

15. Indiana Pacers

Indiana missed out on acquiring Gordon Hayward this season as the Celtics got a little greedy in their offers, but still provide one of the most well-rounded teams in the league. The Pacers have a solid player at every position with some decent bench pieces. If Oladipo can return to all star form, a versatile duo of Oladipo and Sabonis could spell problems for other east contenders. This team has so many good pieces, its just about putting them together.

Tier 6: Waiting on the Surprise

16. Houston Rockets

Houston is in an interesting scenario with the Harden trade. This team is waiting for a surprise in that Harden could be there for a while, or could be gone today. Similarly, John Wall or Demarcus Cousins could be a huge surprise as these former all-stars return from injury. This team has the potential to be a middle playoff seed in the west or be the 14th seed in the west. It almost all depends on Harden. If I knew harden was going to be there, I would say this team is probably a tier 4 team.

17. Memphis Grizzlies

Memphis was really good last season, and their young pieces are extremely talented, but they are likely still a year or two away. The reason they are in this tier is because they could take a massive leap, even if just one of their young pieces improves. Its funny how this team had Iguodala and Crowder, and was almost forced to trade them away when they now lack the 3 and D players they need (except for Dillon Brooks).

18. New Orleans Pelicans

Zion playing full minutes is scary, but the scarier thing to me is that Brandon Ingram is not getting the same touches and shots as he did when he was an all-star. It is interesting they have gone away from Ingram as they move towards Zion, as while Zion is a freak of nature, he really does not have the refined skillset on offense that Ingram does (passing, playmaking, 3-point shooting). Regardless, this team has plenty of talent and depth. The only issue is that they play in a difficult western conference, where making even the eight seed is quite challenging for a young team. They need someone to make a jump, but that “someone” might even just be Zion’s minutes.

19. Atlanta Hawks

Atlanta had a crazy offseason, bringing in Gallinari, Bogdanovic and Rondo. This means that they have a bench lineup including Rondo, Gallinari, Reddish, and one of Huerter or Bogdanovic. That is a solid bench lineup, and will provide the Hawks with consistent scoring when Trae sits. This team could easily sneak into the bottom of the easter conference playoff bracket, but I still think Trae needs another anchor. I am excited to see if Collins can be that guy as the Hawks move forward. The only issue I foresee is that there could be too many scorers for just one ball.

20. Washington Wizards

The Wizards finally moved on from John Wall, in a move that made a lot of sense. Westbrook does have more time left on his deal but provides more energy and athleticism to this team that John Wall would have. Similarly, it seems like he actually wants to be in Washington and is working well with Bradley Beal. This team is likely a fringe playoff team, as they lack talented big men to complement their all-star duo.

21. Orlando Magic

The Magic made the playoffs last season, but only got worse this offseason with losing DJ Augustin in free agency and Jonathan Isaac to injury. This team will now have a hole at small forward, that as we know, should not be filled by Aaron Gordon. Similarly, running Markelle Fultz at point guard is not going to be a strong point for this team unless Fultz has improved his jump shot. This team needs a boost from Fultz, Anthony, or Bamba if they want to have a shot of going anywhere in the playoffs, and likely has enough left on the roster to compete for a low east playoff seed.

22. Minnesota Timberwolves

The D-Lo and KAT pairing seems like they will be dominant on offense, while Malik Beasley can be a temporary third wrinkle while Anthony Edwards develops. The issue with this team is that Edwards has not been given the touches that a first overall pick usually gets, with a lot of his time spent sitting in the corner. I would not be surprised to see their head coach, Ryan Saunders, get fired unless this changes. Regardless, this team could make a jump with KAT or D-Lo dominance.

23. Sacramento Kings

The Sacramento Kings are interesting, as they have only had problems since the firing of Dave Joerger. With Bogdanovic gone, the Kings will have a starting role opening for Hield, reducing some tension. They also have some decent depth as Kyle Guy has played quite well this pre-season. This team needs a jump from Fox or Hield if they want to compete, as they have been close to a playoff seed in recent years. The only issue is that with more teams rising than falling in the western conference, this Kings team could be one that is never good enough to actually compete. I would be concerned if there is no improvement this season, but I would not be surprised.

24. San Antonio Spurs

San Antonio is always a confusing team as their two best players are both mid-range shooters who do not take many three-point shots. This makes winning a struggle, even with talented players and an all-time great head coach. In pre-season it did look like Lonnie Walker was improving, and could possibly be a perfect running mate next to Dejounte Murray to provide this team with some three point shooting. Everything about the Spurs points them to being a lottery team, but as we have seen in the past, Popovich is never easy to count out.

Tier 7: Sure-fire Lottery Teams

25. Charlotte Hornets

LaMelo Ball has been throwing some nice dimes during the preseason, but this has covered up his poor defence and inefficient shooting. Right now, he honestly seems like his brother Lonzo, maybe a little better, but not by much. As well, Gordon Hayward has already suffered an injury after his 120-million-dollar contract. This team has some good players, but the addition of Hayward exemplified that they wanted to contend before they were ready. Rarely are rookie point guards able to actually lead a team to the playoffs. LaMelo will be no different.

26. Chicago Bulls

The Bulls have put together some high drafted players at almost every position. This would normally make them a playoff team, but it seems like their development staff cannot get these guys to improve at winning. The loss of Kris Dunn, while it may seem minimal, leaves the Bulls with little defense in their backcourt. Similarly, Lauri Markkanen has hoisted up a lot of shots this pre-season, the issue is that he has not been efficient at all, a consistent problem for him over the past few seasons. Really, this team needs a leader.

27. Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavs experiment of running Garland and Sexton, two undersized guards, in their starting lineup does not seem to have worked or be working. Maybe they understood this by drafting Okoro, but that has not been decided yet. Running two slow big men in their starting lineup in Andre Drummond and Kevin Love will create issues for this team when facing more versatile teams like the Heat. If I were the Cavs, I would recognize both Drummond and Love are not a part of the future and see if I could get any assets in return. Hopefully Dan Gilbert can figure it out himself.

28. New York Knicks

The Knicks seem to have made some decent selections in the past draft with both Obi Toppin and Immanuel Quickley. These two have been playing extremely well in preseason and will join a nice young core of Kevin Knox and RJ Barrett. The Knicks did not make any poor moves this offseason of signing an older player for too much money, so that is good. While they will still be a bottom team for the next year, things seem like they are looking up in New York.

29. Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons have made some very confusing and troubling moves this offseason. Firstly, they lost their only talented young players in Christian Wood and Luke Kennard. I know they have Sekou, but he is still quite raw. Also, signing Plumlee and Grant for high amounts of money leads to questions about this team turning into the Knicks. Killian Hayes seems to be playing well in the preseason but will ultimately see a lower amount of minutes than he should as they still have Derrick Rose. Management needs to change things up.

30. OKC Thunder

The OKC Thunder have some nice young pieces in SGA, Dort and Bazley, and a crazy amount of future draft picks to complement them. The Thunder seem to understand the value of draft picks extremely well, and also seem to be pulling a little Sam Hinkie operation without actually telling the team to lose. Overall, it seems like this team will become a serious title contender in the future as they host more future picks than we have ever seen before. Presti seems to know what he is doing. Let’s hope this time they choose to pay everyone that is good rather than trade their stars.