The first huge tide has passed in free agency and for all intents and purposes, the huge change that we all thought would be coming has arrived. We still have to wait for some small deals to fall into place and there could still be trades on the horizon. There is even talk of the Clippers trying to convince DeAndre Jordan in changing his mind and staying in Los Angeles, so it’s possible some of the big moves we’ve seen could go back the other way.
For now, though, we have to take all of the signings and trades at face value and start looking ahead to the new 2015-16 NBA season. Summer league action is already underway and before we know it, next year will be this year. Let’s do our summer work as we break down every team’s current standing in our 2015-16 NBA Power Rankings:
30. Philadelphia 76ers
Jahlil Okafor is a terrific pick for the rebuilding Sixers, but they still don’t have stability at the point, shooting guard or small forward. Talent-wise, they’re without a doubt still the worst team in the NBA.
29. New York Knicks
Carmelo Anthony being healthy will do the Knicks wonders, while additions like Robin Lopez and Arron Afflalo could help, as well. None of that is enough, though, and another tank session could be in order.
28. Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota has loads of talent. It’s just all young and largely inexperienced. Ricky Rubio and Kevin Martin are strong on the wing and rookie big man Karl-Anthony Towns should pay off right away. They won’t be a playoff team, but they could be better in a hurry.
27. Denver Nuggets
Denver still has enough talent to be competitive in the West, while new coach Mike Malone could get them to play some defense. The only problem is Ty Lawson and others could be on the move, so we don’t know what they’ll look like at the start of the season.
26. Los Angeles Lakers
Kobe Bryant’s swan song may not be all that horrific, as D’Angelo Russell, Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson, Roy Hibbert and Brandon Bass make up a much better surrounding roster than he’s had the past two years. The playoffs are still light years away, unfortunately.
25. Orlando Magic
Scott Skiles is a strong hire that should get a young Magic squad to play team defense. Aaron Gordon could make a huge leap and Orlando drafted well again this year. It’s a slow process, but this rebuild is going exactly according to plan.
24. Sacramento Kings
The Kings have added some serious talent via Rajon Rondo, Marco Belinelli and rookie big man Willie Cauley-Stein, but the moves are still all over the map. Are they still trading Boogie? Because if so, this is right where they belong.
23. Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte took a major step back last year and while Frank Kaminsky and Nicolas Batum could be great additions, we might not see the results right away.
22. Portland Trail Blazers
Damian Lillard has the Blazers all to himself and that could be a horrifying thing. Nicolas Batum, Wesley Matthews, Robin Lopez and LaMarcus Aldridge are all gone.
21. Detroit Pistons
Detroit is trying to get faster but losing Greg Monroe hurts. They’re going to have to shoot the lights out to win this year.
20. Indiana Pacers
Paul George will be back at full strength and Monta Ellis helps the offense come back to life, but what about the defense? David West and Roy Hibbert are both gone, too, which could leave Indy in trouble down low.
19. Phoenix Suns
Tyson Chandler was a solid get down low, but the Suns are still betting the farm on their two-point guard lineup working.
18. Boston Celtics
Boston was a classic over-achiever last year and probably didn’t do enough to see a major leap this season. The only way they make it back to the playoffs is if their young talent keeps improving.
17. Brooklyn Nets
The Nets brought back Thaddeus Young and Brook Lopez, so the whole rebuild idea has been put on hold. As currently constructed, they’re just good enough to make the playoffs, but any kind of run is probably a pipe dream.
16. Utah Jazz
Rudy Gobert transforms the Jazz into a defensive stalwart. If they can wake up on offense, a playoff trip could be in order for the 2015-16 season.
15. Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee is building up and adding Greg Monroe helps them a ton down low. They won’t make much noise this coming season but in 2-3 years people could have a very different perspective on these Bucks.
14. Miami Heat
Miami has a sick starting five on paper, but does it all come together to make a championship contender or one that can simply make the playoffs?
13. Toronto Raptors
Toronto lost Amir Johnson but got stronger on the perimeter by adding DeMarre Carroll. They aren’t as good as they look on paper, but they’re still one of the East’s better squads.
12. Washington Wizards
Paul Pierce left but a team that almost got to the Eastern Conference Finals is still largely intact.
11. Dallas Mavericks
Landing DeAndre Jordan is pretty big for them, as they might be stuck at this spot even with him.
10. New Orleans Pelicans
Alvin Gentry should get the Pelicans running and with one of the best young talents in the league in Anthony Davis, this is a team on the rise (and one to watch).
9. Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks arguably missed their window last year and things only get tougher from here, as Kyle Korver’s health is in decline and DeMarre Carroll fled to Canada.
8. Chicago Bulls
Chicago made a coaching change and held onto their key free agents, which should give them a shot at making a push in the Eastern Conference. Derrick Rose being healthy for a full year could be the ticket, but if the Bulls are ever going to be a legit contender that vaunted defense will have to return.
7. Memphis Grizzlies
Marc Gasol is back in the saddle and the Grizzlies as we know them march on. Their defense is enough to keep them in contention, but we saw last year that they badly need some extra offense to make a serious push. Until they make a big move to get that, they’ll be just short.
6. Oklahoma City Thunder
OKC missed the playoffs last year due to injuries, so if healthy they’ll storm back as a serious threat in the league’s toughest conference. No one will hand them the title or a playoff spot, though, so they’ll have to earn that, just like they’ll have to earn a higher spot in our NBA power rankings.
5. Houston Rockets
Houston edged out the Clippers last year but they seem to have plateaued a bit. They kept their key roles players and should be healthier next year, but is their current rendition good enough to top the Clippers again or get past the Thunder, Spurs and/or Warriors? I’m not sold yet.
4. Los Angeles Clippers
With DeAndre Jordan’s mind not quite right yet, I’m holding off any declaration on the fate of the Clippers. If he stays, they’re a top-five team thanks to additions like Paul Pierce and Lance Stephenson. If he does indeed bolt for Dallas in the end, they’re in serious trouble.
3. Golden State Warriors
The defending champs would hold the top spot for many, but power rankings are more about the combination of current and overall strength. Golden State lost depth by trading away David Lee and otherwise brings the same team to the table next year. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, though.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
LeBron James isn’t officially a Cav yet (he opted out), but once Tristan Thompson gets paid, he certainly will be. Cleveland added Mo Williams, held onto Iman Shumpert and Kevin Love and will probably make one more move to be even stronger than they were a year ago. With Kyrie Irving also coming back at 100%, they’ll be the top pick from out East.
1. San Antonio Spurs
They won the title two years ago and just brought in LaMarcus Aldridge and David West. The Cavaliers are the sexy pick and they might be the right one, but in terms of championship talent and big moves, San Antonio owns all going into next year.
Think our NBA Power Rankings are jacked up? Let us see your order in the comments below!
