The NBA is so stacked. The vast majority of teams either have playoff-level rosters or enticing young cores. Determining which squads will top the standings in 2025-26 is a tough task, but I gave it a try anyway. Here’s my preseason power ranking of all 30 teams, with placements based on a combination of projected regular season and postseason success, as well as roster talent/fit and pass success and/or failure. Seeding predictions are also included. Let’s dive in!
1: Oklahoma City Thunder (1 Seed in West)
Key Players: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Luguentz Dort, Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace
Top Award Candidate: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (MVP)
There’s zero reason to believe OKC can’t be the first team to go back-to-back since the Warriors. The reigning champs will only be more powerful with another year of experience under their belt. Between their all-time defensive dominance, inevitable internal growth and superstar stewardship, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder could be on the precipice of a dynasty.
2: Cleveland Cavaliers (1 Seed in East)
Key Players: Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen, De’Andre Hunter
Top Award Candidate: Evan Mobley (DPOY)
Cleveland was arguably the best team from start to finish in the 2024-25 regular season, but they weren’t taken as seriously as other top contenders. Their early exit in the playoffs only amplified the overhanging suspicion. This will be a make-or-break year for this version of the Cavs core, and they’re poised to squash all doubt. Their top four is the best in the NBA. They have every tool in the role player toolbox. This team is versatile, deep and hungry, and they should be the favorites to make it out of the East this year.
3: New York Knicks (2 Seed in East)
Key Players: Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, Mitchell Robinson
Top Award Candidate: Jalen Brunson (MVP)
The NBA is better when the Knicks are good. The Knicks aren’t just good right now, though— they’re cemented contenders. Jalen Brunson, the King of New York, is a championship-caliber captain, height be damned. The rest of the starting five around him is just as impressive, especially if Mitchell Robinson can stay healthy and cover up Karl-Anthony Towns’ defensive woes. With the fresh mind of Mike Brown at the helm, the ‘Bockers are ready to bring chaotic joy to the streets of the boroughs.
4: Denver Nuggets (2 Seed in West)
Key Players: Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, Cam Johnson, Christian Braun
Top Award Candidate: Nikola Jokic (MVP)
Denver has done a phenomenal job building around Nikola Jokic. His teammates are like a lethal armory at his disposal. Should opponents face death by Jamal Murray daggers? Harm by Cam Johnson haymakers? Fatality by Christian Braun flexes? It’s the Joker’s choice, because he runs the whole system and no one can pull him away from the controls. The Nuggets are going to be dangerous this year. They’re OKC’s strongest challengers in the West.
5: Houston Rockets (3 Seed in West)
Key Players: Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Reed Sheppard
Top Award Candidate: Amen Thompson (DPOY)
Houston stormed onto the scene in 2024-25, rapidly rising in the ranks of the Western Conference because of their defensive dominance. They were only missing a star creator, and now they have the greatest scorer of all time. Behind the leadership of Kevin Durant, the Rockets will be able to hang with anyone, anytime, anywhere in the regular season. Fred VanVleet’s injury, however, may hurt them more in the playoffs than people realize.
6: Minnesota Timberwolves (4 Seed in West)
Key Players: Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle, Rudy Gobert, Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid, Rob Dillingham
Top Award Candidate: Anthony Edwards (MVP)
The world is Anthony Edwards’ oyster. After leading his Wolves to two consecutive Conference Finals appearances, there’s no limit to what he and his team can accomplish this year. Ant is lightning in a bottle, the definition of a franchise player. He and his rugged crewmates are coming for it all. Only one glaring question mark stands in their way: is Mike Conley too old to tag along?
7: Los Angeles Clippers (5 Seed in West)
Key Players: James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Ivica Zubac, Bradley Beal, John Collins
Top Award Candidate: Brook Lopez (6MOY)
Yes, the Clippers are throwing an unction, but they invited all the cool uncles. James Harden is coming off arguably his best non-Houston individual campaign. Bradley Beal should be hungry to remind people he’s a star, not an overpaid chucker. Brook Lopez is still an all-league rim protector. And, of course, there’s Kawhi Leonard, the monster always lurking in the dark. Add younger guys like Ivica Zubac and John Collins into the equation and it’s clear the Clips will be a two-way machine.
8: Los Angeles Lakers (6 Seed in West)
Key Players: Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Austin Reaves, Deandre Ayton, Rui Hachimura
Top Award Candidate: Luka Doncic (MVP)
Welcome to the new and improved Lakeshow. With Luka around for a full season, and LeBron being the timeless wonder he is, it’s tough to label LA as anything less than dark horse contenders. For them to reach championship level, though, they’ll need Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart, Gabe Vincent and their other role players to be at their best. Otherwise, they’ll be overly reliant on their stars— a dangerous situation.
9: Atlanta Hawks (3 Seed in East)
Key Players: Trae Young, Jalen Johnson, Kristaps Porzingis, Dyson Daniels, Zaccharie Risacher, Onyeka Okongwu
Top Award Candidate: Trae Young (MVP)
This is shaping up to be the best group Trae Young has ever played with. That’s been said and wrong before, namely when Atlanta traded for Dejounte Murray, but something about this roster feels different. Jalen Johnson is a dynamic two-way star. Porzingis is a frontcourt weapon unlike any center Young has ever played with. The other additions, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard, will round out the rotation nicely. If the Hawks fall flat this year, something significant will need to change internally, but the odds are higher that they’ll soar.
10: Orlando Magic (4 Seed in East)
Key Players: Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, Desmond Bane, Jalen Suggs
Top Award Candidate: Paolo Banchero (MVP)
The Magic were solid last year, fueled by an all-world defense, but they had some major offensive deficiencies. Now, with the additions of Desmond Bane and Tyus Jones, a (hopefully) healthy Jalen Suggs and the star leadership of Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, look for Orlando to take a leap as a team and become a true playoff threat. Once they inevitably get to the postseason, they’ll go as far as Banchero can take them. He’s the future of their franchise.
11: Detroit Pistons (5 Seed in East)
Key Players: Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Ausar Thompson, Jalen Duren, Caris LeVert, Tobias Harris
Top Award Candidate: Caris LeVert (6MOY)
Detroit caught the world by surprise with their meteoric leap last season. Nobody will be shocked by them this year, but they’ll be prepared for the difficulty of heightened expectations. Young stars Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey and Ausar Thompson are locked and loaded for massive seasons. The vets around them, including Tobias Harris and newcomers Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson, know what it takes to be true playoff contenders in this league. All in all, this could easily be the best Pistons team since the Billups-Wallace-Hamilton era.
12: Philadelphia 76ers (7 Seed in East)
Key Players: Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Paul George, Jared McCain, Quentin Grimes, VJ Edgecombe
Top Award Candidate: VJ Edgecombe (ROTY)
Philly is the biggest wild card this season. Their 2024-25 campaign was catastrophically bad, as they got pummeled with injuries early on and kept getting pushed deeper and deeper in the standings. We know when they’re healthy they can be fringe contenders, but will they ever be healthy again? Whatever happens this year, they can be reassured about their future by Tyrese Maxey and the rest of their deep young core. Sophomore big man Adem Bona is a sleeper pick for a huge breakout.
13: Golden State Warriors (7 Seed in West)
Key Players: Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Buddy Hield, Al Horford
Top Award Candidate: Draymond Green (DPOY)
Golden State is on the verge of needing a rebuild. They’ll have a puncher’s chance in the playoffs as long as they have Steph Curry, and their hallmark system is still in place, but they’re just getting old in all areas. As Curry and Jimmy Butler keep creeping toward decline, the ceiling for the Dubs will get lower and lower. A first-round exit feels like destiny for this team in 2026.
14: Milwaukee Bucks (6 Seed in East)
Key Players: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Myles Turner, Kevin Porter Jr., Kyle Kuzma, Bobby Portis Jr., Gary Trent Jr.
Top Award Candidate: Giannis Antetokounmpo (MVP)
The Bucks will exceed regular season expectations. In place of flashy star power, they have what could be the most cohesive group Giannis Antetokounmpo has ever played with. The Greek Freak is flanked by a crew of keen shooters and defenders who can accentuate his strengths and allow him to be the best version of himself. Myles Turner is the dream center to pair with Giannis. Once the playoffs start, though, Milwaukee will miss Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton.
15: Dallas Mavericks (8 Seed in West)
Key Players: Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, Cooper Flagg, D’Angelo Russell, Dereck Lively II, Klay Thompson
Top Award Candidate: Cooper Flagg (ROTY)
In the first full season of the post-Luka era, all eyes in Dallas will be on Anthony Davis and Cooper Flagg. AD is the nucleus of the present for the Mavs. He’ll need to be available and assert his dominance if this team is going to back up Nico Harrison’s “defense wins championships” claims (but spoiler alert: they’re not winning a championship). Flagg, on the other hand, is the key to the future. If he doesn’t live up to every ounce of the hype, this organization will be in a dark place in a few years.
16: San Antonio Spurs (9 Seed in West)
Key Players: Victor Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox, Devin Vassell, Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper
Top Award Candidate: Victor Wembanyama (DPOY)
The Spurs might be the single most fun team in the NBA. From star power, to highlight plays, to youth, to fundamentals, to extraterrestrial experiences, they have it all. The new dynamic duo of Wemby and Fox will spearhead a young and hungry group ready to embark on the brightest future in basketball. The West is too stacked for them to leap up much further than sixth or seventh in the standings, but 2025-26 will just be phase one for this group.
17: Portland Trail Blazers (10 Seed in West)
Key Players: Deni Avdija, Jrue Holiday, Shaedon Sharpe, Scoot Henderson, Donovan Clingan, Toumani Camara
Top Award Candidate: Deni Avdija (MIP)
This is easily the most underrated team in the league right now. Portland is an example of a rebuild gone right. They’ve formed a young core of multiple prospective stars, headlined by Deni Avdija. The roster as a whole could grow into a terrifying Clingan-and-Camara-led defensive unit. Oh, and Dame is back. A lot would have to go their way, but there’s a universe where the Blazers flat-out make the playoffs this year. Don’t sleep.
18: Memphis Grizzlies (11 Seed in West)
Key Players: Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., Santi Aldama, Ty Jerome, Zach Edey
Top Award Candidate: Santi Aldama (MIP)
There’s a lot riding on the shoulders of Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. heading into this season. Memphis’ short-term outlook is pretty bleak, with no Zach Edey, Brandon Clarke and JJJ to start the year and no more Desmond Bane ever. The team’s two homegrown stars will need to be the peak versions of themselves to make a playoff appearance possible, and even then, they might just get swept again. Keep an eye on the Grizzlies as potential sellers at the trade deadline.
19: Indiana Pacers (8 Seed in East)
Key Players: Pascal Siakam, Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin, Aaron Nesmith, TJ McConnell, Isaiah Jackson
Top Award Candidate: Bennedict Mathurin (MIP)
Don’t be too quick to count Indiana out after Tyrese Haliburton’s injury. They’re still one of the most connected and dynamic groups in the league. The well of their signature playstyle won’t run dry, especially if Andrew Nembhard flourishes and TJ McConnell finds comfort in a featured role. All-NBA forward Pascal Siakam is still at the helm. This isn’t a Finals team, but it’s a playoff one.
20: New Orleans Pelicans (12 Seed in West)
Key Players: Zion Williamson, Jordan Poole, Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones, Dejounte Murray
Top Award Candidate: Herb Jones (DPOY)
The Pels have a solid core. They have a blend of scoring, lockdown defense and versatility that should make them a tough matchup for any team. Their ceiling is entirely contingent on health. Zion Williamson is always a question mark. Trey Murphy and Herb Jones have missed time in the last couple seasons. Dejounte Murray will be out to start the year as he recovers from his Achilles tear. If their stars stay on the floor, New Orleans could make it back to the playoffs. But that’s a big if.
21: Toronto Raptors (9 Seed in East)
Key Players: Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, Jakob Poeltl, Gradey Dick
Top Award Candidate: Gradey Dick (MIP)
How will this Raptors squad gel together? Their three best players (Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram and RJ Barrett) are all playmaking forwards optimized with the ball in their hands. Barnes and Barrett are below-par shooters, and so are half of their role players (including 2025 lottery pick Collin Murray-Boyles). This is going to be a funky basketball team overall, and its results may vary.
22: Miami Heat (10 Seed in East)
Key Players: Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, Andrew Wiggins, Norman Powell, Kel’el Ware
Top Award Candidate: Bam Adebayo (DPOY)
Miami got dismantled by the Cavs last postseason, showing there’s a hard ceiling on this post-Butler squad. This season could go in two wildly different ways for them. The track is there for them to make the playoffs again if Bam Adebayo returns to form and Kel’el Ware makes a leap. Tyler Herro is a certified All-Star in the backcourt, and his supporting cast is well-rounded and deep. On the flip side, though, the Heat’s lack of true star talent could come back to bite them and turn them into sellers at the deadline. Andrew Wiggins is already popping up in trade rumors.
23: Boston Celtics (11 Seed in East)
Key Players: Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, Anfernee Simons, Neemias Queta
Top Award Candidate: Anfernee Simons (6MOY)
This is going to be a bizarre season for the Celtics. They’ve been forced into a retooling just one year after winning a championship. On paper, a core of Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard and Anfernee Simons is nothing to scoff at, but this team isn’t deep in the same way they used to be, especially in the frontcourt. A center rotation of Neemias Queta, Chris Boucher, Luka Garza and Amari Williams doesn’t exactly scream playoffs. Boston will probably start the season out competitively but eventually fizzle down the standings and end up in the lottery.
24: Sacramento Kings (13 Seed in West)
Key Players: Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Keegan Murray, Malik Monk, Dennis Schroder
Top Award Candidate: Nique Clifford (ROTY)
The Kings get a bad rap. They have an All-NBA big, two All-Star wings and good starters/bench players at every other position. If they played in the East, they could make the playoffs. That’s the problem, though— they’re not in the East. Sacramento should make for a fun late-night watch this season with DeRozan, LaVine, Monk and Murray liable to get hot anytime, anyplace. Unfortunately, there’s very limited room for them to make noise in the standings.
25: Charlotte Hornets (12 Seed in East)
Key Players: LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges, Collin Sexton, Moussa Diabate, Kon Knueppel
Top Award Candidate: Moussa Diabate (MIP)
The Hornets have been stranded in no man’s land for a few years now. This probably won’t be the season where they get rescued, even if LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller stay healthy. To their credit, though, they’ve assembled a more encouraging roster than they’ve had in the past. Collin Sexton is one of the most underrated additions of the offseason. Kon Knueppel, Liam McNeeley, Ryan Kalkbrenner and Sion James are a fun rookie class. Grant Williams will be back on the floor. They don’t have a real chance at the playoffs, but Charlotte will be scrappy.
26: Phoenix Suns (14 Seed in West)
Key Players: Devin Booker, Jalen Green, Mark Williams, Dillon Brooks, Khaman Maluach
Top Award Candidate: Khaman Maluach (ROTY)
The failed Kevin Durant/Bradley Beal experiment is over, and the Suns are now in a weird spot. Even after a slightly down year, Devin Booker is still an All-NBA player, but he would have to carry a bulky backpack to bring this team to the playoffs. It’s not that Phoenix doesn’t have nice role players, because they certainly do. They’re just clearly a level below most of the teams in a loaded West. Revenge-fueled seasons from Jalen Green and Mark Williams could change their outlook.
27: Chicago Bulls (13 Seed in East)
Key Players: Coby White, Josh Giddey, Nikola Vucevic, Matas Buzelis, Isaac Okoro
Top Award Candidate: Ayo Dosunmu (6MOY)
When will the Bulls finally escape mediocrity? They were decent in 2024-25, reinventing the way they play offense and cracking the play-in. However, there just isn’t a world where this team wins a playoff series as currently constructed. They’ll need a lot of internal development and a lot of luck to even get to the postseason in the first place this year. Chicago would probably be better off committing to a Matas Buzelis-led rebuild, but it feels like they’re going to avoid that route forever.
28: Washington Wizards (14 Seed in East)
Key Players: CJ McCollum, Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, Khris Middleton, Tre Johnson, Bub Carrington
Top Award Candidate: Bilal Coulibaly (MIP)
This placement suggests the opposite, but the Wizards will be a sneaky fun league pass team this year. They’re building a solid defensive identity, and their young core is raw but fascinating. At least two of Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, Tre Johnson, Bub Carrington, Kyshawn George and Cam Whitmore are going to break out and assert themselves as future cornerstones for this organization, especially with the guidance of vets like CJ McCollum and Khris Middleton.
29: Brooklyn Nets (15 Seed in East)
Key Players: Cam Thomas, Michael Porter Jr., Nic Claxton, Egor Demin, Day’Ron Sharpe
Top Award Candidate: Day’Ron Sharpe (6MOY)
This Brooklyn squad is going to play some cluttered basketball. They’re a rag-tag group of youngsters with little cohesiveness and a lot to prove. Their two best players, Cam Thomas and Michael Porter Jr., are hardly leaders at this point. They avoided the bottom spot of these rankings because Jordi Fernandez showed last year he can turn an unsuspecting roster into a walking trap game. Plus, Nic Claxton and Day’Ron Sharpe will be anchoring things as perhaps the most underrated center tandem in hoops.
30: Utah Jazz (15 Seed in West)
Key Players: Lauri Markkanen, Walker Kessler, Ace Bailey, Kyle Filipowski, Keyonte George, Brice Sensabaugh
Top Award Candidate: Ace Bailey (ROTY)
The Jazz are entering year four of their rebuild, and yet they still don’t have a core in place. Ace Bailey and Kyle Filipowski have star potential, but they’re far from blue-chip prospects. Keyonte George, Brice Sensabaugh, Isaiah Collier and Taylor Hendricks are intriguing, but what would they look like on winning teams? Utah’s season will be all about evaluating their young guys and figuring out who they can build around. Don’t expect many wins in the process. Do expect one (or both) of Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler to get traded.
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