The Nets, Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons, Utah Jazz and Toronto Raptors were the five worst teams entering the season. The first part of the Daily News’ 2024 NBA Power Rankings.
In Episode #2, we reveal teams 25-21, featuring a former Western Conference contender that fell after losing a key player in free agency.
This lineup also brings some surprises: the San Antonio Spurs Chris Paul pair With franchise cornerstone Victor Wembanyama, the Portland Trail Blazers could be a sneaky threat (but not enough), and the Washington Wizards — yes, these wizards — might turn some heads this season.
Check back Friday for the reveal of teams 20-16 in episode #3.
Teams 25 to 21 are below:
25 – Washington Wizards
- Additions: F Alex Sarr (#2), F Kyshawn George (#24), C Jonas Valanciunas (3-year/$30M S&T via NOP), F Saddiq Bey (3-year/$19M UFA), G Carlton “Bub” Carrington (#14 – via POR), G Malcolm Brogdon (via POR), 2029 first-round pick (via POR), 2028 second-round pick (via POR), 2030 second-round pick (via POR), F Anthony Gill re-signed
- Subtractions:F Deni Avdija (traded to POR), G Tyus Jones (signed with PHX), G Landry Shamet (waived), G Delon Wright (signed with MIL), 2027 second-round pick (via POR)
- Top five: Poole, Kuzma, Bey, Sarr, Valanciunas
- The following five: Brogdon, Carrington, Kispert, Coulibaly, Holmes
The Wizards were originally projected to be second to last, just ahead of the Brooklyn Nets, who carry the Cooper flag. But Washington has rebuilt its roster around Kyle Kuzma and Jordan Poole, two talented players with championship experience who have yet to reach their full potential.
If Poole can play to the limit of his $128 million contract, the Wizards should, at a minimum, be entertaining to watch. At best (a team has to dream, right?), they could put pressure on the Eastern Conference’s 10th seed for a chance to qualify for a play-in tournament and end the franchise’s three-year playoff drought.
Better or worse?
Better cautiously.
2024 NBA Draft: Knicks could benefit from Alex Sarr’s fall to Wizards in 2nd place
24 – Portland Trail Blazers
- Additions: F Deni Avdija (via WSH), C Donovan Clingan (#7)
- Subtractions:G Carlton Carrington (#14 – via WSH), G Malcolm Brogdon (via WSH), 2029 first-round pick (via WSH), 2028 second-round pick (via WSH), 2030 second-round pick (via WSH)
- The top five:Henderson, Simons, Avdija, Grant, Ayton
- Next 5: Graham, Banton Sharpe, Clingan, Williams II
Don’t overlook the Trail Blazers: they’re on the rise.
Originally ranked 26th in a previous version of these rankings, Portland is now looking to climb back from its bottom-five status. The Western Conference is well-stocked, but so is Portland, loaded with young talent waiting for second-year point guard Scoot Henderson to make a sophomore leap. If he does, Portland could solve the remaining problem by the departure of Damian LillardThe acquisition of Deni Avdija also bolsters a competitive forward line alongside Jerami Grant.
However, decisions loom at center, where Deandre Ayton, Robert Williams III, Duop Reath and No. 7 pick Donovan Clingan will all compete for playing time.
Better or worse?
Noticeably better.
Mike Lupica: Damian Lillard owes Trail Blazers nothing. He earned the right to leave
23 – San Antonio Spurs
- Additions: G Chris Paul (UFA via GSW), F Harrison Barnes (via SAC/CHI), G Malachi Flynn (UFA via DET)
- Subtractions: N / A
- Best 5: Paul, Vassell, Johnson, Barnes, Wembanyama
- Next 5: Jones, Château, Champagnie, Sochan, Bassey
Wembanyama’s reign begins now.
After a generational performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Wembanyama finds a new point guard in San Antonio: Chris Paul. That probably won’t be enough to propel the Spurs into the play-in race in a crowded Western Conference, but with Paul feeding the 7-foot-10 phenom, San Antonio’s chances of winning increase every time Wembanyama touches the ball.
Better or worse?
Noticeably better.
Paris 2024 Olympics: US basketball team’s reign continues, but Victor Wembanyama’s turn has come
22 – Atlanta Hawks
- Additions: F Zaccharie Risacher (#1), F Larry Nance Jr. (via NOP), F Dyson Daniels (via NOP), C Cody Zeller (UFA), F David Roddy (via PHX)
- Subtractions: G Dejounte Murray (by NOP), F Saddiq Bey (by WSH), F AJ Griffin (by HOU), G Patty Mills (by UTA)
- Best 5: Young, Bogdanovic, Johnson, Risacher, Okongwu
- Next 5: Hunter, Nance, Bufkin, Daniels, Okongwu
The Hawks are on track to have a middling season, but they have Trae Young to rely on and won the NBA Draft lottery, selecting Zaccharie Risacher first overall. With Dejounte Murray traded to New Orleans, the ball is back in Young’s hands. It’s up to him to lead the team to the play-in, or his time in Atlanta could be numbered.
Better or worse?
About the same, depending on the impact of Risacher’s first year.
21 – Los Angeles Clippers
- Additions: F Nic Batum (via PHI), F Derrick Jones Jr. (via DAL), G Kevin Porter Jr. (UFA: 2 years/$4.8M), G Kris Dunn (via UTA), F Kai Jones (exhibit no No. 10), C Mo Bamba (1 year/VM), G Cam Christie (No. 46)
- Subtractions: F Paul George (by PHI), G Russell Westbrook (by UTA), F KJ Martin (by PHI), C Mason Plumlee (by PHX), C Daniel Theis (by NOP)
- Best 5: Harden, Mann Leonard, Jones Jr., Zubac
- Next 5: Hyland, Porter Jr., Batum, Powell, Tucker
It’s time for the Clippers to face reality: Kawhi Leonard’s health is unreliable, and without him, they have no chance in the West. Paul George has left to join Joel Embiid in Philadelphiaand James Harden has forced trades at every step — from Houston to Brooklyn, Brooklyn to Philadelphia, and now Philadelphia to Los Angeles, with each request more difficult than the last.
The Clippers will win when Harden and Leonard play together, but 68 games last year was the most he’s played in a season since leading the Raptors to a title in 2019 (he played 60 games), and if one of the Clippers’ stars is unavailable, a thin roster will struggle against stronger teams.
Better or worse?
Significantly worse.
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