The NBA’s preseason slate has kicked off. This marks the primary time groups can jell with their new teammates. It additionally signifies that the 2024-25 common season is on the verge of kicking off.
By one week, the Boston Celtics it seems will likely be a valiant defending NBA champion. It is solely the preseason however they’ve dominated of their contests. The identical will be stated in regards to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, who’ve regarded the a part of a contender when their common rotation has performed.
The preseason capped off with a matchup between Karl-Anthony Cities and his previous squad Minnesota Timberwolves. It was the primary time the 2 sides have met because the blockbuster KAT to New York Knicks deal from a number of weeks in the past.
Thunder Wire will conduct weekly NBA energy rankings all through the season. The newest version will likely be printed each Monday. Right here is that this week’s version from Oct. 7-13:
30. Brooklyn Nets (0-1)
Earlier Rating: 28
Many anticipate the Nets to be one of many league’s worst groups this season. By one preseason outing, that appears to be the case. Once more, small pattern measurement, however Brooklyn will likely be combating for lottery balls. It will be enjoyable to see if Ben Simmons can have a bounce-back season after spending the previous few seasons injured.
29. Washington Wizards (1-2)
Earlier Rating: 27
The Wizards are on an identical boat however are a number of steps forward. They’ve some blue-chip prospects in Bilal Coulibaly and Alex Sarr. The previous appears to be like to make a second-year leap after he spent most of his rookie marketing campaign enjoying like a particularly uncooked 20-year-old. He has the instruments to be an amazing two-way wing.
28. Chicago Bulls (1-1)
Earlier Rating: 25
Josh Giddey and Lonzo Ball would be the gamers to comply with on the Bulls. Giddey has regarded good in his first two preseason outings. Ball is able to return after lacking out the final two seasons as a consequence of accidents. It will be an vital season for each as they’re going to combat for his or her subsequent contract.
27. Charlotte Hornets (2-1)
Earlier Rating: 26
After being tormented by accidents final season, LaMelo Ball has regarded sturdy in his restricted preseason motion. The previous All-Star begins recent with a brand new head coach in Charles Lee. The objective of this season will likely be to develop chemistry with Brandon Miller. Tre Mann additionally has impressed in preseason. It appears to be like like Charlotte discovered a gem in him.
26. Detroit Pistons (2-2)
Earlier Rating: 30
The outcomes do not matter, however the Pistons will at all times welcome wins contemplating what they’ve gone via lately. Cade Cunningham might want to make his much-anticipated leap this season. If not, Detroit will proceed to hunt its franchise star.
25. Portland Path Blazers (1-1)
Earlier Rating: 29
They’ve solely performed in two preseason video games, however the Path Blazers have already suffered a blow. Shaedon Sharpe suffered a torn labrum and can miss at the very least a month. He was projected to be a key rotation piece for Portland. Count on loads of dropping to happen on the Path Blazers this season.
24. Toronto Raptors (1-2)
Earlier Rating: 22
The one objective followers wish to see their groups accomplish is to keep away from accidents. Nothing is worse than seeing a participant get harm throughout an exhibition. That is what the Raptors skilled with RJ Barrett. He suffered a shoulder harm which may hold him out to start out their season. He is projected to be a prime scorer in Toronto.
23. Atlanta Hawks (1-0)
Earlier Rating: 23
Maybe Zaccharie Risacher has been missed. An odd phenomenon contemplating he was the No. 1 choose this previous draft. However in his Hawks preseason debut, he regarded strong as a playmaker. The 19-year-old is a hopeful franchise cornerstone for Atlanta because it tries to construct round Trae Younger one final time.
22. Utah Jazz (3-1)
Earlier Rating: 24
It has been a robust preseason for the Jazz. They’ll lean on youth this season. Cody Williams’ growth will likely be a serious objective for Utah. He’s considered one of its first blue-chip prospects at first levels of its rebuild. Lauri Markkanen hopes to construct off his success since being traded to the Jazz after he inked an extension.
21. Miami Warmth (1-1)
Earlier Rating: 21
The Warmth might be getting into the ultimate yr of the Jimmy Butler expertise. It is had its wild ups and downs however has been a memorable chapter in Miami. Kel’el Ware has regarded good within the preseason. The veteran roster may use an ejection of youth. The 20-year-old can carry that in a bench function his first yr.
20. San Antonio Spurs (2-1)
Earlier Rating: 20
On a lob from Chris Paul, Victor Wembanyama loudly slammed the ball via the basket. The alley-oop between the 2 will likely be a key play all through the Spurs’ season. Wembanyama is on the cusp of superstardom. That would materialize as quickly as this season. Being paired with Paul will assist him attain these ambitions.
19. LA Clippers (2-1)
Earlier Rating: 19
Because the preseason progresses, Kawhi Leonard’s knee harm grows in thriller. He hasn’t practiced with the Clippers but and his standing for the season-opener is unknown. LA has introduced there may be nothing to fret about, nevertheless it’s straightforward to be skeptical contemplating Leonard’s current harm historical past.
18. New Orleans Pelicans (1-1)
Earlier Rating: 15
After beginning Jonas Valanciunas final season, the Pelicans are getting into the wrong way with middle. Whispers of Herb Jones on the C spot make it clear New Orleans believes it would not want an enormous power down low. Zion Williamson would be the pseudo-big who will get loads of ball-handling alternatives.
Earlier Rating: 16
For higher or worse, Bronny James has eclipsed the Lakers. Preseason struggles connected to his forgettable summer time league have confirmed the skeptics proper. It seems James is not NBA-ready and can want years of growth. It will not have an effect on the Lakers’ on-court product, however the highlight on LeBron’s son will certainly develop tiresome for the group.
16. Houston Rockets (1-1)
Earlier Rating: 18
Reed Sheppard has highlighted the early preseason returns for the Rockets. He is a pleasant microwave scorer off the bench. Moreover that, Amen Thompson appears to be like good in his beginning reps. Maybe a kind of two will threaten Jalen Inexperienced’s beginning spot, who’s had blended outcomes early in his most vital season.
15. Golden State Warriors (4-0)
Earlier Rating: 17
The Warriors elected with amount over Klay Thompson this offseason. They added a number of veteran shooters to encompass Stephen Curry. It has been early, however the outcomes have been constructive. Golden State noticed the tip of its dynasty this offseason however shortly retooled round Curry.
14. Orlando Magic (0-2)
Earlier Rating: 13
The Magic prolonged Wendell Carter Jr. to a three-year deal. After their finest season in years, Orlando hopes to retain its younger core. Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner may flirt with being All-Stars this season. The Magic have performed in simply two preseason outings as one sport has already been canceled as a consequence of hurricane considerations.
13. Sacramento Kings (0-3)
Earlier Rating: 14
It has been a tough preseason slate for the Kings to this point. Nonetheless, outcomes do not matter. It will be an adjustment for DeMar DeRozan to determine his match alongside Domantas Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox. The trio will not get an opportunity to jell till the video games begin to matter. DeRozan hopes to be one other scoring choice in Sacramento.
12. Memphis Grizzlies (2-1)
Earlier Rating: 10
Final season’s nightmares aren’t performed. After seeing a number of gamers miss time as a consequence of accidents, the Grizzlies’ poor luck has carried over. Jaren Jackson Jr. suffered a hamstring pressure that hopefully would not trigger him to overlook the beginning of the yr. Ja Morant additionally suffered an ankle sprain. Memphis hopes it stays there and would not snowball.
11. Indiana Pacers (1-1)
Earlier Rating: 12
The Pacers acquired sizzling on the proper time within the playoffs final yr. They went to the Japanese Convention Finals earlier than dropping to the Celtics. Indiana will look to construct off that shock postseason run. Tyrese Haliburton loved a profession season final yr. The All-Star starter is the Pacers’ finest participant and they’re going to go so far as he takes them.
10. Cleveland Cavaliers (0-2)
Earlier Rating: 9
The Cavaliers had their finest season since LeBron’s departure final yr. Donovan Mitchell’s determination to increase provides Cleveland some runway to take care of their present group. Evan Mobley is a breakout candidate as he enters his fourth season. He may see a bigger function on offense this yr below Kenny Atkinson.
9. Phoenix Suns (3-1)
Earlier Rating: 11
Kevin Durant scored 21 factors in 19 minutes throughout preseason. The 36-year-old remains to be one of many league’s finest gamers. That is been the case for almost twenty years now. His longevity is very spectacular contemplating his harm historical past. The Suns cannot afford to waste one other stellar marketing campaign by Duranr this yr.
8. Milwaukee Bucks (0-2)
Earlier Rating: 7
The Bucks are on borrowed time. As a consequence of a mixture of contracts, age and accidents, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton may solely have this season left collectively. After a disappointing season final yr, Milwaukee hopes to bounce again below a full offseason of Doc Rivers as the top coach.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves (2-1)
Earlier Rating: 8
The primary showdown between Karl-Anthony Cities and the Timberwolves occurred in preseason. Weeks after the stunning deal, Donte DiVincenzo has supplied Minnesota with a scoring spark. He could be a complimentary function participant for the Timberwolves who brings heavy playoff expertise.
6. Dallas Mavericks (0-2)
Earlier Rating: 6
One of many offseason headliners was Thompson’s transfer to the Mavericks. The multi-time All-Star may present spacing for Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving to function in opposition to defenses. He regarded sharp in his preseason debut. The novelty surrounding Thompson’s begin in Dallas will carry over to the common season.
5. Philadelphia 76ers (1-2)
Earlier Rating: 3
It was a Jekyll and Hyde week for the Sixers. They noticed the highly-anticipated preseason debut of Paul George however acquired scary information that Joel Embiid will miss the remainder of the preseason with knee administration. It would not sound severe and precautionary however that may clearly change. Embiid has struggled to remain wholesome for his total profession.
4. Denver Nuggets (0-3)
Earlier Rating: 5
The Nuggets performed their first two preseason video games in opposition to the Celtics in Abu Dhabi. Maybe they’re going to function an NBA Finals preview. If that occurs, Russell Westbrook have to be a constructive in his bench function. In the meantime, Nikola Jokic continues to be one of many league’s finest gamers. The three-time MVP will likely be within the prestigious award race once more.
3. New York Knicks (3-0)
Earlier Rating: 4
KAT’s arrival generated buzz for the Knicks. After a loud offseason, New York appears to be like like a risk to dethrone the Celtics. The Knicks acquired an vital harm replace on Mitchell Robinson, who will not return till Jan. 2025. He is had two ankle procedures during the last yr and was their starter final season till accidents knocked him out.
2. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (2-1)
Earlier Rating: 2
Of their restricted time collectively, the Thunder’s regular rotation has run opponents out of the gymnasium. Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso have been good matches with OKC’s starters. They’ve regarded like a dominant power who will rattle off wins like nothing. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams are one of many league’s finest trios.
1. Boston Celtics (4-0)
Earlier Rating: 1
The Celtics have picked up proper the place they left off within the NBA Finals. Even in preseason, the reigning NBA champions have loved lopsided wins. Count on Boston to repeat its regular-season success from final yr. Till confirmed in any other case, they’re the group to beat within the NBA. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown headline their deep roster.
This text initially appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: NBA Energy Rankings: LeBron, Bronny make historical past; KAT faces off Wolves
