It is lastly arrived — the 2024-25 NBA common season is ready to tip off this week. After months of roster strikes and anticipation, a brand new nine-month marketing campaign will decide how the highest of the league stacks up on the courtroom as a substitute of simply paper.
The reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics could have a goal on their again. They return the identical roster and threaten to repeat as title favorites.
In the meantime, different groups just like the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder and New York Knicks fortified their championship odds with sturdy offseasons.
Thunder Wire will conduct weekly NBA energy rankings each Monday. With preseason formally over, let’s rank all 30 groups. Right here is the Oct. 14-20 version:
30. Brooklyn Nets (1-3)
Earlier Rating: 30
Although they’re sure to be one of many league’s worst groups, the Nets have some attention-grabbing gamers to observe. Ben Simmons has regarded good in preseason. He is struggled with accidents earlier than however has been accessible thus far. Cam Thomas is also a enjoyable watch as he’ll seemingly be Brooklyn’s main scorer.
29. Washington Wizards (2-3)
Earlier Rating: 29
The Wizards might be dangerous however they’ve some thrilling younger prospects. Alex Sarr and Bilal Coulibaly are hopeful franchise cornerstones. One participant who’s working out of time is Johnny Davis although. He is had an inactive first two seasons. His third yr within the league will determine if he stays in Washington.
28. Charlotte Hornets (2-3)
Earlier Rating: 27
The Hornets are beginning recent. This season will decide how appropriate LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller are as a duo. Tidjane Salaun has impressed in preseason. His exterior shot maybe suggests the 19-year-old could possibly be a direct assist. He landed within the good spot at Charlotte with gifted guards who may discover him photographs.
27. Detroit Pistons (3-2)
Earlier Rating: 26
It’s going to be one other dangerous season for the Pistons, however a recent head coach and GM is hope for the longer term. Step one in that course of might be about Cade Cunningham. After three so-so seasons suffering from accidents, the 23-year-old should leap this season to show he is a franchise star. If not, he could be a borderline All-Star at greatest.
26. Chicago Bulls (3-2)
Earlier Rating: 28
The vibes are excessive in Chicago. Lonzo Ball’s return after two seasons was one of many largest preseason storylines. He hopes to increase his taking part in profession after a number of knee surgical procedures. Josh Giddey is in the identical boat. He’ll play for an extension this upcoming season. The 22-year-old may search an enormous payday as he returns to a ball-handler position.
25. Portland Path Blazers (3-1)
Earlier Rating: 25
Scoot Henderson and Donovan Clingan had a busy preseason. Each will hope to develop chemistry as pick-and-roll companions this season. However first, each should earn starter spots to perform that. Clingan has a more durable path forward of him to achieve that. Deandre Ayton will begin the season because the starter however the 20-year-old can ultimately usurp him.
24. Toronto Raptors (3-2)
Earlier Rating: 24
All eyes are on RJ Barrett. A shoulder damage sidelined him for many of the preseason. There’s an opportunity he is accessible by the season opener. Both method, the Raptors will lean on Barrett as one among their prime scorers. Toronto continues to be in a bizarre spot. It is a comfortable rebuild with some tantalizing items headlined by Scottie Barnes.
23. Utah Jazz (4-2)
Earlier Rating: 22
It’s going to be a recent begin on the Jazz. Lauri Markkanen is a former All-Star, however the remainder of Utah’s prime items are younger prospects. Keyonte George and Cody Williams will get loads of taking part in time this season. The Jazz should keep away from being a middling dangerous workforce once more this yr. As a substitute, they need to go all out to gather one of the best lottery odds.
22. Atlanta Hawks (1-3)
Earlier Rating: 23
Trae Younger would be the Hawks’ greatest participant, however Zaccharie Risacher might be an important. His growth may change the trajectory of Atlanta, which has been caught in mediocrity for the previous few seasons. Kobe Bufkin additionally capped off a productive preseason with 31 factors. The Hawks have loads of intriguing items.
21. San Antonio Spurs (2-3)
Earlier Rating: 20
The Spurs are a sleeping large. Victor Wembanyama’s inevitable leap to superstardom will put them on the map as a title contender. For now, although, San Antonio is a wildcard candidate to be a playoff contender. If Wembanyama can enter All-NBA territory this season, then that may seemingly imply the Spurs have taken everyone without warning.
20. LA Clippers (4-1)
Earlier Rating: 19
It is gone from dangerous to worse on the Clippers. After months of ambiguity, Kawhi Leonard will miss the beginning of the season for an indefinite interval, coping with a swollen knee. It is a killer blow for LA, who hoped to deal with Leonard and James Harden. Now, they desperately look forward to Leonard to hopefully return to avoid wasting their season.
19. Miami Warmth (4-1)
Earlier Rating: 21
The Warmth should reap the benefits of this season. It could possibly be Jimmy Butler’s final yr in Miami. The long run Corridor-of-Famer has helped them their greatest seasons since LeBron James’ exit. It could possibly be the ultimate rodeo for Butler’s time, which has garnered inconsistent outcomes over time, spanning from the NBA Finals to lacking the playoffs.
18. Sacramento Kings (0-5)
Earlier Rating: 13
The Kings made the dangerous resolution to bypass a De’Aaron Fox resolution. As a substitute, the previous All-Star will wait for a bigger deal subsequent offseason. Whereas he may not be a multi-time All-Star, Sacramento has little alternative however to pay up. He is one among its greatest gamers and may’t afford to let him stroll in 2026. Fox has all of the leverage on this state of affairs.
17. New Orleans Pelicans (1-2)
Earlier Rating: 18
It has been a stomach-turning begin to the Pelicans’ new season. Brandon Ingram’s contract talks and Trey Murphy III’s damage have flattened a few of the pleasure after a productive marketing campaign final yr. Nonetheless, New Orleans will go so far as Zion Williamson will take it. The multi-time All-Star should keep wholesome for that to occur.
16. Los Angeles Lakers (2-4)
Earlier Rating: 17
A lot controversy surrounded the Lakers’ offseason strikes by their pair of rookies capped off their preseason with sturdy outings. Dalton Knecht received sizzling with 35 factors. Bronny James tallied 17 factors. Neither might be anticipated to contribute throughout the common season, however their performances are nonetheless constructive indicators nonetheless.
15. Orlando Magic (1-2)
Earlier Rating: 14
The Magic hope to construct off final yr’s playoffs. Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner are franchise cornerstones in Orlando. One other essential piece to final season’s success was Jalen Suggs. He had a breakout season final yr. He is now due for a contract extension. It’s going to be attention-grabbing to see how the Magic deal with his subsequent deal.
14. Memphis Grizzlies (3-2)
Earlier Rating: 12
One of many extra polarizing draft prospects was Zach Edey. He dominated in school however his massive and sluggish body involved many how translatable that’d be on the NBA. Via preseason, the rookie large man has proven he can nonetheless produce regardless of the uptick in competitors. His chemistry with Ja Morant may unlock a brand new stage.
13. Houston Rockets (3-1)
Earlier Rating: 16
It seems some momentum has began on a attainable Alperen Sengun extension. He is been the Rockets’ greatest participant since their rebuild began. He may ask for the max extension and Houston will seemingly be obliged to signal him to it. Then again, Jalen Inexperienced is really in a now-or-never season. He have to be a constant scorer this yr.
12. Golden State Warriors (6-0)
Earlier Rating: 15
It is solely preseason, however the Warriors have regarded sharp with their new solid of characters. It seems the choice to decide on depth over Klay Thompson has rejuvenated Golden State. Now not coping with the weighted expectations of title or bust, Stephen Curry may spend the previous few years of his prime on a scrappy playoff squad.
11. Cleveland Cavaliers (0-4)
Earlier Rating: 10
The Cavaliers suffered a serious blow to their rotation in preseason. Max Strus might be out for at the least six weeks with an ankle sprain. It is a survivable absence however will damage Cleveland’s depth. In the end, the Cavaliers will go so far as Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley carry them. Mitchell’s extension offers them some leeway with this core.
10. Indiana Pacers (2-2)
Earlier Rating: 11
The Pacers will enter the season to show that final yr’s Japanese Convention Finals run wasn’t a sizzling streak. Tyrese Haliburton ascended into an All-Star participant final season. Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner are one of many league’s extra underrated frontcourts. Indiana has one of many deepest groups within the league.
9. Milwaukee Bucks (1-3)
Earlier Rating: 8
Giannis Antetokounmpo put a little bit scare within the hearts of Buck followers. He stated it is a boom-or-bust yr for the Bucks, who’ve one of many oldest and most costly rosters. The 2-time MVP doubted his long-term future in Milwaukee if it fails to win a championship. That is fairly the excessive bar to placed on the Bucks, which may spell doom.
8. Dallas Mavericks (1-3)
Earlier Rating: 6
The Mavericks obtained excellent news when Luka Doncic returned to follow after two weeks out. He suffered a calf contusion. The 25-year-old is Dallas’ supernova. He should keep wholesome if the Mavericks need to repeat final season’s success. In different information, Klay Thompson was inconsistent throughout his preseason stint.
7. Phoenix Suns (3-2)
Earlier Rating: 9
Just like the Bucks, the Suns are on a time restrict. Kevin Durant remains to be one of many league’s greatest gamers however is 36 years outdated. After a disappointing season final yr, Phoenix should acquire wins proper now. Devin Booker and Bradley Beal ought to assist Durant with that. Ryan Dunn’s shocking exterior sizzling taking pictures may present shocking depth.
6. Philadelphia 76ers (3-3)
Earlier Rating: 5
After struggling a gruesome-looking damage, the Sixers dodged a bullet with Paul George. A bone bruise tabs multi-time All-Star each day. A sigh of aid in Philly. It was additionally reported Joel Embiid will not play in back-to-backs. A troublesome, however worthy, blow. Well being would be the prime precedence for the Sixers and their star-studded solid.
5. Minnesota Timberwolves (2-3)
Earlier Rating: 7
Now that the shock from the Karl-Anthony Cities commerce has worn off, the Timberwolves’ resolution has netted some constructive ends in the preseason. Donte DiVincenzo seems like the proper role-player subsequent to Anthony Edwards. Julius Randle provides severe dimension. Naz Reid’s enchancment may additionally assist make up for a few of the loss.
4. Denver Nuggets (1-4)
Earlier Rating: 4
After signing Jamal Murray to an extension, the Nuggets’ subsequent purpose is to signal Aaron Gordon. He’s a part of Denver’s quartet with Nikola Jokic, Murray and Michael Porter Jr. Gordon helped them win a championship. The Nuggets should re-sign him to maximise their title window with their three-time MVP. Particularly after their cost-cut strikes.
3. New York Knicks (4-1)
Earlier Rating: 3
The preseason allowed Cities to jell along with his new teammates. However in the end, he’ll want the common season to do this. New York has one of many league’s greatest beginning lineups headlined by Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges. It did lose a key depth piece to start out the season although, as Valuable Achiuwa suffered a hamstring pressure.
2. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (4-1)
Earlier Rating: 2
Talking of accidents, the Thunder suffered a brutal blow. Isaiah Hartenstein suffered a fractured hand in preseason, which can maintain him out for at the least the season’s first month. After meshing nicely with the starters, OKC should wait earlier than Hartenstein can contribute when the video games begin to matter. It is a manageable loss, however nonetheless a intestine punch.
1. Boston Celtics (4-1)
Earlier Rating: 1
The Celtics picked up proper the place they left off. The reigning NBA champions dominated the common season and cruised to a title final season. It is solely preseason, however they regarded the identical of their slate. Count on Boston to be a heavy favourite to repeat because the champions. Boston is so deep, it needed to waive Lonnie Walker IV.
This text initially appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: NBA Energy Rankings: Preseason wraps up; Kawhi Leonard stays out
