NBA power rankings: How teams stack up as training camps loom
- Several key restricted free agents remain unsigned, including Josh Giddey, Jonathan Kuminga, Quentin Grimes, and Cam Thomas.
- Key offseason moves include Kevin Durant joining the Rockets, Cameron Johnson joining the Nuggets, and Myles Turner joining the Bucks.
It’s wild to say this, but: NBA training camps open at the end of the month.
With the calendar turning to September, players and coaches will be readying themselves for a return to the hardcourt. And though this is the quietest part of the NBA calendar, with some players still on vacations abroad, things will be picking up soon.
The first NBA teams to begin training camps are the Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans and Phoenix Suns, who will report on Wednesday, Sept. 24.
There are still some lingering questions, particularly with the four key unsigned restricted free agents: Josh Giddey (Chicago Bulls), Jonathan Kuminga (Golden State Warriors), Quentin Grimes (76ers) and Cam Thomas (Nets). There is very little — if any at all — cap space that teams are willing to spend, so their current squads have powerful leverage.
But, until we see resolution there, here are USA TODAY Sports’ NBA power rankings, weeks away from the start of training camps:
NBA power rankings – post-Labor Day edition
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
The defending champs return the heart of their roster, and locked up their young three stars – MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren – to massive extensions. The biggest issue OKC may face, aside from health, will be maintaining a standard of excellence and thwarting off complacency.
2. Houston Rockets
They went all-in with the Kevin Durant trade and added supplemental pieces like 3-and-D wing Dorian Finney-Smith. They built this team to compete for titles.
3. Denver Nuggets
Acquiring Cameron Johnson should completely open up Denver’s offense, particularly on the pick-and-roll, and bringing back Bruce Brown was a key locker room addition.
4. New York Knicks
There may be an initial assimilation period with new coach Mike Brown, but New York should rely far more on its bench. Signing Jordan Clarkson on a veteran minimum deal will bring a scoring spark off the bench.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers
After getting bounced in the second round of the playoffs, the Cavs shored up depth with Lonzo Ball and Larry Nance Jr., but Sam Merrill will need to replace the production of Ty Jerome, who signed with the Grizzlies.
6. Los Angeles Clippers
With an aging roster, this may be the Clippers’ final shot to compete for a title with the Kawhi Leonard-James Harden build. Bringing in vets like Chris Paul, Brook Lopez and Bradley Beal should help.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves
After losing the Western Conference finals in consecutive seasons, have the Timberwolves peaked? The roster is mostly the same, though the departure of wing/defensive specialist Nickeil Alexander-Walker won’t help.
8. Los Angeles Lakers
Questions linger about LeBron James’ future, but Los Angeles should still be quite competitive with a slimmed-down Luka Dončić seemingly motivated to elevate the Lakers into a legitimate contender.
9. Boston Celtics
Perhaps it’s not a full rebuild, but more of a reset. In any case, with Jayson Tatum set to miss the entire season with a ruptured Achilles, and with the departures of Kristaps Porziņģis and Jrue Holiday, the team will likely see a dip in performance.
10. Detroit Pistons
Detroit’s biggest “addition” this offseason will be the return of Jaden Ivey (broken fibula), though Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson will infuse some solid offensive production.
11. Golden State Warriors
This is all going to depend on how the aging trio of Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green fare. The question on unsigned restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga is still lingering, but Golden State’s window is closing.
12. Indiana Pacers
Similar to the Celtics, this should be a reset year, with Tyrese Haliburton missing time with his ruptured Achilles. The Pacers will also need to find a way to make up for the loss of long-time center Myles Turner, who signed with the rival Bucks.
13. Orlando Magic
This is a team that could surprise in the East, with Desmond Bane and rookie Jase Richardson bringing scoring and perimeter shooting to a team that desperately needed it.
14. San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs are a fascinating team, and a candidate to break out. Victor Wembanyama is healthy, they re-signed De’Aaron Fox, and No. 2 overall rookie Dylan Harper should contribute right away.
15. Memphis Grizzlies
They have plenty of young talent – and signing Ty Jerome is a solid boost – but this team’s success will come down to how coach Tuomas Iisalo gets Memphis to minimize turnovers and inefficiencies.
16. Milwaukee Bucks
Myles Turner is a solid signing to replace Brook Lopez, but the Bucks are in a tough spot with Damian Lillard being injured and then waived. Milwaukee needs to convince Giannis Antetokounmpo that the Bucks are built to contend.
17. Atlanta Hawks
Another candidate to break out in the East, not only did the Hawks add Kristaps Porziņģis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard, but they’ll also have emerging star Jalen Johnson (torn labrum) back.
18. Dallas Mavericks
It’s a shame Kyrie Irving is expected to miss the entire season, because Dallas’ offense would be fireworks with him, Anthony Davis and No. 1 overall rookie Cooper Flagg.
19. Miami Heat
Trading for Norman Powell alleviates some of Miami’s scoring issues, but without a true distributor, the offense may still stagnate.
20. Chicago Bulls
The looming question centers around unsigned restricted free agent Josh Giddey, who shined late last season for Chicago. But with a depressed market, Giddey might have no other option but to bet on himself in a short-term deal.
21. Philadelphia 76ers
Drafting VJ Edgecombe with the No. 3 pick gives the 76ers an elite backcourt, but this will all come down to the health and availabilities of Joel Embiid and Paul George.
22. Toronto Raptors
This will be an interesting team. Brandon Ingram, whom the Raptors acquired in February, never played because of an ankle injury. He’ll be healthy, and should pair well with Scottie Barnes.
23. Sacramento Kings
Dennis Schröder is a solid addition, but the Kings have been at their best when Domantas Sabonis is paired with a star point guard.
24. Phoenix Suns
25. Washington Wizards
The Wizards are very clearly building for the future and suddenly have some solid, young pieces. Last season’s No. 2 overall selection, Alex Sarr is the centerpiece, but Cam Whitmore, who came on a trade with the Rockets, could break out with a larger role.
26. Portland Trail Blazers
The Blazers showed modest improvement last season and traded for Jrue Holiday, who should bring steady leadership. Damian Lillard will be out until next season, but their growth rests on the play of shooting guard Shaedon Sharpe.
27. New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans are taking a chance on Jordan Poole, but they absolutely need more from Zion Williamson, who has played in just 214 of 483 regular season games (44.3%) since he entered the league.
28. Brooklyn Nets
This is all going to come down to the five players they drafted in the first round, including Egor Demin at No. 8.
29. Utah Jazz
The Jazz are in a rebuild and acquired more salary they’re looking to shed. The play of No. 5 overall selection Ace Bailey will be telling for the direction Utah takes..
30. Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte looked to add shooting with the addition of Pat Connaughton and the selection of Kon Knueppel in the draft. Still, LaMelo Ball, who is incredibly gifted, should find a way to tweak his style as a high-volume player who relies on increased usage to put up points.
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