With the NBA season opener just over a month away, here are the 2021-2022 NBA Season Team Power Rankings.
30. Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder are hands-down the worst team in the league, and it isn’t particularly close. Though they have promising pieces in Shai-Gilgeous Alexander and Josh Giddey, the fit isn’t ideal and they don’t have many developed players. They have just started their rebuild, and though they have a bright future, they will likely end up atop the 2022 NBA lottery.
29. Orlando Magic
The Magic had some great picks in the first round of the 2021 NBA draft, as they were able to land Jalen Suggs at 5th overall and Franz Wagner at the 8th overall pick. However, these 2 rookies are not immediate solutions to bring Orlando back into the playoff mix. With Aaron Gordon and Vucevic traded during the middle of the season, the Magic will have to heavily rely on their young core. A returning Jonathan Isaac mixed with Suggs and Wagner seems promising, but they are definitely going to be a high lottery team this season.
28. San Antonio Spurs
After the past few decades of great success, the Spurs look like they are headed towards the bottom of the western conference. Their 2021 NBA draft selection, Josh Primo, was arguably the biggest reach of the draft at pick 12 overall. They also lost veterans DeMar DeRozan, Rudy Gay, and Patty Mills, leavign them with little veteran leadership and talent for contention. They are trending down, and will likely have to blow up their roster soon to start a rebuild, as their young players aren’t shaping up to carry their future.
27. Detroit Pistons
The Pistons are in full rebuild mode. After drafting Cade Cunningham first overall, they are preparing to surround the generational talent with stars. This might take years, meaning that the Pistons will have a below average roster until they are able to sign big time free agents or make blockbuster trades. Despite the promising future of Cade and Saddiq Bey, this team is definitely not anywhere near ready to be a threat in the Eastern Conference.
26. Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets might have had one of the best drafts this offseason, snagging Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, and Josh Christopher all in the first round. This gives them a strong foundation for a massive championship run in the future, as Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. can be a dangerous scoring duo. Adjusting to the NBA might be tough for these first round rookies though, meaning the Rockets might have to wait a couple years for a strong playoff push.
25. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs finished 13th in the eastern conference last year behind the exciting backcourt of Collin Sexton and Darius Garland. They drafted 7-foot center Evan Mobley with the 3rd overall pick and added Ricky Rubio as a veteran presence for their young guards. Although they have a decent starting lineup with solid young players, there isn’t enough talent on their roster to significantly move up in the east, let alone make a playoff push.
24. Sacramento Kings
It feels like the Kings have been stuck in the same place for years. They play well enough to make a decent push for the 8 seed, but they never end up getting into the playoffs. With the addition of point guard Davion Mitchell to a crowded guard room, it is hard to imagine the Kings having major success in a stacked Western Conference. This leaves them as a middle lottery team once again this season.
23. Washington Wizards
After losing star guard Russell Westbrook this offseason, the Wizards were able to get a decent haul back and added many solid players to their team. They got Montrezl Harrell, Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Spencer Dinwiddie, and drafted Corey Kispert in the first round of the NBA draft. These players surrounding all-star Bradley Beal make for a much more all-rounded team than last year, but they still don’t have enough firepower to make noise in the eastern conference.
22. Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves missed out on a lottery pick this offseason, as they won a little too many games, landing them the 7th overall pick, which went to the Warriors. However, Minnesota still has a promising future, as rookie of the year runner-up Anthony Edwards will look to prove his haters wrong with the addition of a healthy D’Angelo Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns. Resigning Malik Beasley was great, but they still have a long way to go to be a serious threat in the Western Conference.
21. New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans made a big splash days before the draft, acquiring Jonas Valanciunas, and used their acquired 17th overall pick to draft Trey Murphy, an NBA-ready prospect who can shoot the lights out. Valanciunas is also coming off a career year, but spacing could once again prove an issue with Zion Williamson dominating the paint area. Along with this, they lost their best point guard in Lonzo Ball, and another capable ball handler in Eric Bledsoe. Although Devonte Graham could prove to be a serviceable replacement, the Pelicans are not a playoff team yet.
20. Indiana Pacers
The Pacers just barely missed out on the playoffs last year after losing to the Wizards in their play-in game. They have a lot of solid talent on their roster year after year, but can’t seem to ever put it together to make a serious run. They have one of the best bigmen duos in Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis, and have great young guards like Malcolm Brogdon, Caris Levert, T.J. McConnell, and Chris Duarte. On paper, they look like a top 6-7 team in the east. However, their big men don’t fit well together, and since they are the team’s anchors, it clearly isn’t a recipe for success.
19. Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies had a strong finish last season, as they were able to beat the Warriors and Spurs in back to back play in games to make the playoffs. However, they lost Jonas Valanciunas, and they took Ziaire Williams as the 10th overall pick, which was questionable. The Grizzlies will still be in playoff contention, especially with the addition of veteran guards Patrick Beverly and Rajan Rondo, but Ja and Jaren Jackson still have to develop into a dominant force.
18. Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets might be one of the most exciting young teams to watch in the NBA. They got a great steal in the draft with James Bouknight who fell to 11, and they also added an athletic center in Kai Jones. Bouknight can replace Devonte Graham, and Kai Jones can easily blend with LaMelo in the pick and roll game. With Miles Bridges and Gordon Hayward returning, the Hornets could very well be in the playoffs, and they certainly have a bright future ahead of them.
17. Portland Trailblazers
What is Dame doing? It’s a pretty serious question to ask yourself, especially if you are Damian Lillard. The Blazers franchise hasn’t gone anywhere in the past 7 years, and they only lost key pieces while not signing anyone significant. Failure to trade for Ben Simmons is also a key part of the reason they are this low on the rankings. Dame and C.J. McCollum can carry this team into the playoffs, but they will not be able to take them deep into the playoffs.
16. Toronto Raptors
After losing Kyle Lowry in free agency to the Miami Heat, the Raptors looked like they were in a prime position to fill that exact need with the number four overall pick. They could have taken point guard Jalen Suggs, a floor general who could have been a perfect fit as the team’s franchise point guard. Instead, they chose forward Scottie Barnes, an extremely raw prospect with a modern-NBA body build and a very high ceiling. His fit with star forward Pascal Siakam is questionable to say the least, and as the Rockets already had a playoff-ready team, Jalen Suggs would have been a perfect pick. However, they still have a lot of talent, and Barnes’ versatility on the defensive end will give Toronto a good shot at the playoffs this year.
15. Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers had a decently successful season, but they were still not able to capture the title that many were expecting. Kawhi’s torn ACL also does not help with the situation that they are in. Without a top 5 player, the Clippers are still a playoff team, but with the loss of Rajan Rondo and Patrick Beverly, the Clippers lack ball handlers when Paul George is off the floor. With Leonard expected to miss most, if not, the entire season, and key role members gone, the Clippers are clearly not in the run for the championship.
14. Dallas Mavericks
Luka Doncic is a top 6-7 player in the league without a doubt, but what else do the Mavericks have? They did practically nothing to improve their roster this season, as they just brought back and extended contracts of returning players. Kristaps Porzingis was a massive flop last season, and without any star power besides Doncic, the Mavericks have no chance at making a run past the second round in the playoffs. However, Doncic’s talent alone along with solid shooters will be enough to give them a spot in the mid to low seeds of the Western Conference playoffs.
13. Boston Celtics
The Celtics were pretty active this offseason and improved slightly, but not by much. They replaced big man Tristan Thompson with Enes Kanter, which was a lateral move. They also replaced point guard Kemba Walker with Dennis Schröeder, and replaced wing Evan Fournier with Josh Richardson. Talent wise, the Celtics downgraded. However, Richardson and Schröeder are much better fits, as they are defensive minded and have great playmaking abilities, which will allow all-star wings Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum to get the bulk of the scoring opportunities. They probably won’t be much better or worse than last year, landing them a spot as an above-average team in the league.
12. Denver Nuggets
Nikola Jokić put the Nuggets on his back after the Nuggets lost Jamal Murray. He was able to lead them to the second round, but unfortunately they stood no chance against the Suns. With Murray likely out for a majority of the season, the Nuggets are definitely not going to be able to be the title contenders they aspire to be. However, this team is very deep, and they are talented enough to make it to the second round. Coming off an MVP season, Jokić can definitely lead his team to be a threat in the Western Conference, but title chances for this team are low until Jamal Murray makes his return.
11. Chicago Bulls
The Bulls had arguably the best offseason of any team in the league, as they made big splashes by signing point guard Lonzo Ball and wing DeMar DeRozan. This will be one of the most exciting teams to watch this year, as they made massive improvements. DeRozan is a great secondary scorer for Chicago behind one of the best scorers in the league in Zach Lavine. Ball is a much-needed true point guard for Chicago, who can do just about everything on the court and will fit well with the many scorers in the starting lineup, as he is best in a complementary role. They also have Nikola Vucevic at center, who is arguably top 5 at his position in the league. I have very high hopes for this team, who may be able to make a run in the East.
10. New York Knicks
The Knicks roster is loaded from top to bottom. They are a lockdown defensive team with a lot of young talent, as well as solid veteran scorers like Derrick Rose, Kemba Walker, and Evan Fournier. It is hard to rank them any higher than this due to their flop in the playoffs last year, but with a year of playoffs experience under the young players’ belts, they could be a sneaky contender in the East.
9. Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta was the biggest surprise of the playoffs this season, as they were able to knock off the first seeded 76ers on their way to their first Eastern Conference Finals berth since 2015. Trae Young and John Collins also signed extensions to ensure their stay in Atlanta. With most of their key players coming back, and the addition of Jalen Johnson and Sharife Cooper from the draft, the Hawks are in prime position to repeat their success in the 2021-22 season, and for many more years to come as well.
8. Miami Heat
The Heat have been in the running for many big name free agents over the past few seasons. In 2020, we might have seen them come the closest to winning their first championship since the LeBron era. Since then, the Heat have added Kyle Lowry and Victor Oladipo, two talented players who can help push the Heat over the top. Although we saw the Heat take a major step back in the 2021 postseason, a healthy Oladipo and Lowry could definitely make this team a top 3-4 team in the East.
7. Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia is in a very tough spot going into next season. Ben Simmons has cut off communication with the organization, and trade talks have stalled. If Simmons plays, the 76ers are locked in as a top 4 seed in the East, as their roster is full of talent. However, with how this situation is going, there is a lot of uncertainty in Philly. Still, getting a deal done involving Simmons seems like the best case scenario, as they would likely acquire players who would complement superstar center Joel Embiid much better.
6. Utah Jazz
Despite a disappointing exit from the playoffs in 2021, the Jazz are still looking to claim one of the top spots in the West again. They have their core returning, and with Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell, and Mike Conley locked up for the next few seasons, the Jazz are ready to win it all in the near future. Although they were deemed as big pretenders, the Jazz have great defense and can take another leap when Mitchell is able to get into the superstar level. Although the West might be stacked, the Jazz still are a team to worry about.
5. Phoenix Suns
Two games into the 2021 NBA finals, it was looking like Phoenix was going to get its first ever NBA championship. Now, they are fresh off a finals loss and are back to the drawing board. They practically have the same team going into next season, which is exactly why they are ranked outside of the top 2 in the West. They simply wouldn’t have beaten a healthy Lakers team in the first round, and wouldn’t have beaten a healthy Clippers team in the Western Conference Finals. Although they are a very deep team, they don’t have enough firepower to win the conference again, assuming other teams stay healthy. A big three of Chris Paul, Devin Booker, and DeAndre Ayton won’t be able to top the healthy juggernauts in L.A., or the Warriors’ playoff-experienced roster.
4. Golden State Warriors
Golden State finished as the 8th seed last season, even with a plague of injuries in their roster, including one to superstar shooting guard Klay Thompson. They had a very good offseason, considering that they were very limited in what they could do with the little cap space they had. Their two lottery picks Johnathan Kuminga and Moses Moody have looked very promising in summer league, and could both make a good impact later in the season. The Warriors were also able to sign great bench depth, like Otto Porter, Nemanja Bjelica, and brought back Andre Iguodala. With Andrew Wiggins career resurgence as a premier two-way player in the league, along with Klay Thompson’s return from injury, the Warriors are primed for a top seed in the West.
3. Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks captured the title that they desperately hoped for. Giannis Antetokounmpo finally proved his haters wrong and showed everyone why he signed his 6 year contract extension. He was clearly the best player in the playoffs, and his sidekicks Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton are here to stay. That being said, it's no easy task to go back to back. The Nets still have a better overall team when healthy, and the newly formed superteam in Los Angeles can prove to be significant threats to Milwaukee’s title run. However, with a top 5 player in the league and a sidekick as clutch as Khris Middleton, there is no reason to believe that Bucks won’t be back on the big stage once it’s all said and done.
2. Los Angeles Lakers
There was a decent chance that the Lakers would have gone to and won the NBA finals for the second year in a row if it wasn’t for Anthony Davis’ injuries. They added Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony, Malik Monk, Dwight Howard and lost role players like Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. The bottom line is, the Lakers have a TON of starpower. However, their core is very old, and health is becoming a concern. Davis seems to have some health issues every few games, and LeBron can only do so much as he gets older. Let’s say they can stay healthy. The floor spacing is still a major problem. Westbrook and LeBron aren't the best fit, to say the least. Nonetheless, this is a team with LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, Anthony Davis, Dwight Howard, Marc Gasol, and Carmelo Anthony. It doesn't matter how bad the fit is. That is too much veteran experience and talent to be any lower than two.
1. Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets had a very disappointing end to the season to say the least. Three All-Star players and two top 7 players in the league with decent role players and the team could not even reach the Conference Finals. Granted, they were depleted with injuries to Kyrie Irving and James Harden, but many expected more out of the Nets. Given this, the Nets should have a fire lit under them, and with a healthy Kevin Durant, Harden, and Kyrie, there is no telling what this team’s ceiling is. Bringing back Blake Griffin was also a huge move, and now the Nets are ready to make another title run. With veteran experience and great firepower, expect the Nets to take the league by storm next season.
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