Rather a lot has occurred because the Boston Celtics gained the 2024 NBA Finals. Paul George and Klay Thompson each switched their allegiances in free company. Karl-Anthony Cities is heading to the New York Knicks. JJ Redick moved from ESPN to move honcho on the sidelines for the Los Angeles Lakers. And naturally, each staff enters coaching camp with new power of their quest to take a seat on the prime of the NBA world. There has by no means been extra expertise within the NBA than there’s proper now, which is why it’s so laborious to distinguish between groups within the preliminary energy rankings.
No argument will be made towards the Celtics. This staff has confirmed to be the staff to beat, and after retaining their total championship roster, Boston is true to be getting into the 2024-25 season because the favorites to repeat. Nevertheless, it’s value noting that the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018 are the one staff that has gained back-to-back championships during the last decade. Can the Celtics add their identify to the listing of uncommon groups to perform such a feat?
Within the Western Convention, the dialog thickens pertaining to the championship image, as all however a few groups have an actual shot at incomes a playoff spot and making noise. Even so, the one staff everyone seems to be chasing within the West is the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, who’re nonetheless one of many youngest groups.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams make up a really impressive-looking trio, and the Thunder improved their probabilities of discovering postseason success with the additions of Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein. Though they did not make it to the Western Convention Finals final season, many expect the Thunder to take that subsequent step and assert their dominance in the course of the 2024-25 season.
Coaching camps are starting across the league, and with the brand new season proper across the nook, it’s time to try the place all 30 groups within the NBA discover themselves in ClutchPoints’ first official energy rankings for the 2024-25 season.
1. Boston Celtics
Whereas each different staff within the league was worrying about their cap figures and long-term prices, Brad Stevens and the Celtics have solely been centered on capitalizing on their championship fortune proper now. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are each of their primes, and Boston is able to dominate the Jap Convention for no less than just a few extra seasons earlier than having to make laborious monetary selections. The Celtics ranked first in offensive ranking final season and third in defensive ranking. There’s no cause to imagine they can not obtain the identical.
The one caveat for the C’s as they’re set to start their title protection season is that Kristaps Porzingis will probably be sidelined after present process offseason surgical procedure for his uncommon leg damage he suffered in the course of the NBA Finals. How Porzingis’ absence impacts the staff to start out the 2024-25 season will probably be notable, however on the identical time, Al Horford nonetheless exists. The defending champions must be simply fantastic, and it could be stunning if they do not no less than make it to the Jap Convention Finals.
2. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder
The most effective staff within the Western Convention getting into the 2024-25 season is undoubtedly the Thunder. Everyone knows what Gilgeous-Alexander has been in a position to accomplish as a real MVP candidate, and now Oklahoma Metropolis has added the likes of Hartenstein and Caruso. These two veterans know what it takes to win, and they’re going to bolster the Thunder’s second unit, which was their greatest weak point a season in the past. What makes the Thunder such a scary staff is the truth that they’re solely set to develop.
Whereas Gilgeous-Alexander does his factor scoring-wise and making everybody round him higher, Holmgren goes to enhance on each side of the ball, as will the plethora of younger expertise the Thunder have stashed away. With out Josh Giddey within the fold, anticipate to see their minutes allotted to Aaron Wiggins, Isaiah Joe, and Cason Wallace improve. If there’s one staff that may problem the Celtics on the prime of the NBA energy rankings, it is the Thunder.
3. New York Knicks
The most important information proper forward of the beginning of coaching camp is that Karl-Anthony Cities will probably be a member of the New York Knicks. Cities, who has lengthy been a goal of the Knicks, is strictly the kind of stretch massive man New York wants of their frontcourt with Mitchell Robinson out. Whereas dropping Julius Randle is hard due to his talent on the inside, Cities opens up the ground for Brunson, who may have much more area to function with Cities’ potential to knock down photographs from the perimeter.
Brunson is totally recovered from his hand surgical procedure, OG Anunoby will probably be getting into coaching camp refreshed, and now Mikal Bridges will provide the Knicks with one other high-level, two-way weapon on the wing. The massive query for the Knicks will probably be if they’ve sufficient depth within the backcourt and on the wing after buying and selling Donte DiVincenzo within the Cities commerce. Not having Hartenstein anymore and being with out Mitchell Robinson to start the season additionally limits the Knicks’ frontcourt choices. Leon Rose pulled the set off on a commerce for Cities for one cause: to go all in and pursue a championship.
4. Dallas Mavericks
After reaching the NBA Finals, the Dallas Mavericks will as soon as once more have excessive championship aspirations. That’s the reason Dallas went out and added the likes of Klay Thompson, Naji Marshall, and Quentin Grimes this summer season. Thompson is the Mavs’ greatest addition, and he fills a key three-point want this group has been seeking to fill subsequent to Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. It might have been a really robust determination for Thompson to depart Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors, but when there’s any higher place within the league for him, it’s subsequent to 2 of the very best shot-creators in Doncic and Irving.
The important thing to Dallas getting again to the NBA Finals lies of their potential to defend, notably on the perimeter. Dereck Energetic II and Daniel Gafford will do a fantastic job of filling the gaps and defending the rim. Whether or not or not the Mavs can step up and enhance from rating 18th in defensive ranking a season in the past will inform the story for them probably successful the West in back-to-back seasons. This may decide if Dallas has an opportunity to develop into the highest staff within the NBA energy rankings.
Paul George becoming a member of Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid immediately creates a lethal scoring trio within the East that may go up towards what the Celtics have constructed for themselves. As a lot of a splash as touchdown George was for the Philadelphia 76ers, this group additionally added the likes of Caleb Martin, Andre Drummond, Eric Gordon, and Reggie Jackson this offseason. Kelly Oubre Jr. and Kyle Lowry additionally returned in free company.
Expertise and perimeter scoring are the 2 greatest traits the 76ers gained this summer season, which is nice information since each of those areas have been two deficiencies for the staff final season. The important thing to the Sixers rising up the ability rankings all through the brand new NBA season is whether or not or not they’ll keep wholesome. Clearly, Embiid’s well being issues greater than something since his profession excessive for video games performed in a single season is 68. Even with George and Maxey wholesome, will probably be unimaginable for this staff to dwell as much as their championship expectations if Embiid is pressured to the sidelines but once more.
6. Denver Nuggets
After their championship in 2023, the Denver Nuggets misplaced Bruce Brown in free company. This summer season, after failing to defend their title, the Nuggets misplaced Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in free company. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray can solely achieve this a lot for the Nuggets, which is why there are questions on how good this staff will be in comparison with what we now have develop into accustomed to seeing from Denver over the previous few seasons.
Christian Braun and Peyton Watson are the 2 apparent names for gamers that might want to step up. Now that Caldwell-Pope is gone, Michael Porter Jr. turns into much more necessary to this group as a result of he’s going to must make an affect defensively, an space that he has struggled in beforehand. The Nuggets have the expertise and expertise to get again to the NBA Finals, however till they’ve a handful of video games below their belt, it’s laborious to obviously venture the place this staff will find yourself. Then once more, so long as Jokic performs, Denver stays a prime staff within the NBA energy rankings.
7. Milwaukee Bucks
Regardless of all of the criticism that Doc Rivers receives, he enters his first full season as the pinnacle coach of the Milwaukee Bucks with two famous person skills which are out to show all the doubters flawed. If anybody thinks Damian Lillard or Giannis Antetokounmpo have not heard all of the noise concerning the Bucks not being adequate to win a title, you might have one other factor coming!
Lillard and Antetokounmpo are going to be extra motivated than ever to raise the Bucks, and this staff silently obtained lots higher in the course of the offseason. Taurean Prince is an improve from Jae Crowder, Gary Trent Jr. is an improve over Patrick Beverley, and Delon Wright has at all times been a very regular veteran for any staff’s bench. Khris Middleton and his well being stay a query mark, however the Bucks severely have an opportunity to reclaim their standing as the very best staff within the East. It sounds loopy calling them this, however the Bucks are the one underdog you ought to be choosing to dethrone the Celtics.
8. Minnesota Timberwolves
Anthony Edwards. That’s all it’s worthwhile to know concerning the Minnesota Timberwolves getting into the brand new season, as a result of when there’s a will and a approach, Edwards goes to step up. The younger star did so when he took the Timberwolves to the Western Convention Finals final season, and he stepped up at quite a few factors for Group USA within the Olympics this summer season. At 23 years outdated, it isn’t laborious to name Edwards a top-10 participant within the league proper now just because he has the identical killer mentality that Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant had the place they would not let anybody dictate their play.
In fact, the most important headline surrounding the Timberwolves is that Karl-Anthony Cities is now a member of the Knicks after a blockbuster commerce. Though the deal has but to be finalized, Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo will probably be heading to Minnesota to supply additional scoring depth. These are two actually stable gamers that Edwards can play with, and each Randle and DiVincenzo ought to open up the ground a little bit extra as a substitute of getting two massive males clogging the paint. It is a large yr for Minnesota as a result of in the event that they fail to succeed, then their main cap issues will inform the story of which gamers keep and which depart subsequent offseason.
9. Orlando Magic
Whereas we’re on the subject of speaking about protection, let’s focus on the Orlando Magic, who may be the one staff inside the highest 10 of the NBA energy rankings that everybody is cheering for. The Magic have been the feel-good story within the NBA final season, as Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner led the best way and put them on the verge of successful their first playoff collection since 2010. Now that Caldwell-Pope has joined the staff, in addition to first-round choose Tristan da Silva, the Magic are one hundred pc a staff that may make a run to the Jap Convention Finals.
Jamahl Mosley has lastly constructed a robust tradition throughout the partitions of the Magic group, and each single particular person related to this franchise is dedicated to their one aim of being profitable. Not like lots of the different groups across the league, the Magic follow their philosophies, and that’s the reason they’re primed for one more massive yr. Don’t be shocked if this staff is inside the highest 5 of the NBA energy rankings by the tip of the yr.
10. Phoenix Suns
Is that this trio adequate to win the Western Convention? That is the most important query surrounding the Phoenix Suns with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal. Whereas the reply seemed to be answered final season with the Suns being swept within the first spherical of the playoffs by the Timberwolves, the underside line is that we by no means actually obtained to see this trio at full power.
Mike Budenholzer, who has gained a championship, is now on the sidelines in Phoenix. Tyus Jones, a confirmed lead level guard, goes to be beginning alongside these three stars. Royce O’Neale and Grayson Allen will arguably be two of the very best bench gamers within the league this upcoming yr. All of this stuff add as much as the Suns with the ability to bounce again in an enormous approach. The Suns are certainly a staff that may win 50-plus video games and declare one of many prime spots within the West in the course of the common season.
11. Indiana Pacers
A run to the Jap Convention Finals final season has the Indiana Pacers as soon as once more on the verge of being one of many prime groups within the NBA energy rankings. Put on and tear in the end caught as much as Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers final season, which is why they did not give the Celtics a lot of a battle on the doorsteps of the NBA Finals. This season, the Pacers return their total core group, and so they have much more youthful skills that would step up at any level. Count on to see the Pacers battling on the prime of the Jap Convention standings but once more.
12. Cleveland Cavaliers
Well being ended up derailing the Cleveland Cavaliers final season, as Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley, and Darius Garland all missed chunks of time all through the common season. This led to the Cavs being out of kinds when the playoffs started. With Kenny Atkinson taking up, the Cavaliers are going to be a staff that appears to assault on offense, particularly by Mobley within the low publish. After incomes an enormous extension and now getting into his fourth season, it is a large yr for Mobley in relation to his growth and affect. Fairly frankly, it is a massive yr for Cleveland as a complete since this group must show that they’ll hold with the likes of the Celtics, 76ers, and Bucks come time for the postseason.
13. Sacramento Kings
DeMar DeRozan left the Chicago Bulls for the Sacramento Kings this offseason, making him and De’Aaron Fox a deadly mixture to cease when the sport is on the road. These two have been among the many finest clutch gamers within the league during the last two seasons, and now they get to play alongside each other with Domantas Sabonis working the offense. Better of all, the Kings nonetheless have Malik Monk because the Sixth Man of the Yr favourite. Though they missed the playoffs a season in the past, the Kings are searching for one factor and one factor solely getting into coaching camp: redemption. Mike Brown goes to have his staff able to go getting into the 2024-25 season, which is why there’s a likelihood for them to enter the highest 10 of the NBA energy rankings early on within the season.
14. New Orleans Pelicans
The addition of Dejounte Murray goes to unravel a whole lot of the issues that existed for the New Orleans Pelicans final season. Other than his scoring skills because the staff’s lead level guard, Murray can also be a really ignored defender. Subsequent to Herb Jones, Murray goes to have the ability to assist elevate the Pelicans to being a top-10 defensive staff but once more. The questions for New Orleans level within the instructions of Zion Williamson’s well being and Brandon Ingram’s dedication to the staff. This staff certainly has the potential to be particular, however they may want their stars to set the inspiration early for what path this group will go down.
15. Miami Warmth
Whether or not or not the Miami Warmth will maintain Jimmy Butler is the most important query for this group getting into coaching camp and the 2024-25 season. Butler has been with the Warmth since 2019, but the criticism he has been drawing is a direct results of the staff’s lack of success. To not point out, Pat Riley would not appear to be a fan of Butler’s antics, and there’s no contract extension seen for the All-Star. If they’ll keep wholesome, the Warmth have a core group that may certainly cope with another staff within the Jap Convention. The one cause they’re in the midst of the pack in these NBA energy rankings is because of all the uncertainty and damage issues that encompass the staff.
16. Golden State Warriors
With out Klay Thompson, the Golden State Warriors are going to appear to be a a lot completely different staff. Stephen Curry continues to be the person of the hour, however the Warriors are going to must adapt to the brand new instances and check out taking part in a special model of basketball. Then once more, Buddy Hield continues to be one of many league’s finest sharpshooters, and he’s going to make his affect felt off the ball subsequent to Curry. The important thing to the Warriors discovering success hinges on the shoulders of Andrew Wiggins and Golden State’s protection. If Wiggins can revert again to how he was in the course of the staff’s 2022 championship run and the Warriors can develop into a top-10 defensive staff within the league, then they are going to be sneaky title contenders.
17. Los Angeles Lakers
Everybody desires to see LeBron James take the courtroom with Bronny James. A minimum of, that is what the mainstream media desires to see to allow them to push their social media posts. The Los Angeles Lakers enter the 2024-25 NBA season a lot decrease within the energy rankings than some would suppose as a result of nothing is new about them. Redick is clearly going to make some modifications to the rotations and the best way this staff performs, however this is similar roster from a staff that simply misplaced within the first spherical of the playoffs. With no new stars of key gamers coming in, the Lakers are counting on Max Christie, Austin Reaves, and Rui Hachimura to proceed rising and step up. That isn’t the very best path to a title for a LeBron-led staff.
18. Los Angeles Clippers
One other staff with a ton of inquiries to reply is the Los Angeles Clippers. With out Paul George and Kawhi Leonard persevering with to battle knee issues, James Harden is the one star left on this roster. Even Harden has questions surrounding him now that he’s 35 years outdated and has seen his manufacturing fall off drastically these final couple of seasons. The excellent news for LA is that they’re debuting the brand new Intuit Dome for the 2024-25 season with a barely revamped roster that comprises impactful secondary skills like Kris Dunn and Derrick Jones Jr. Norman Powell thinks the staff is healthier within the wake of George’s departure, which is definitely an fascinating take.
19. Memphis Grizzlies
When wholesome, the Memphis Grizzlies is usually a risk within the Western Convention. Ja Morant and Desmond Bane are going to be again for opening evening, and Marcus Sensible has recovered from accidents that ended his 2023-24 season. The most important addition is having Morant wholesome and having him mentally proper, because the All-Star guard said at Media Day that he’s the happiest he is ever been. That is large for the Grizzlies just because Morant will be the chief that he was in the course of the first few years of his profession with out having the off-the-court drama affect him. Though Memphis will probably be with out GG Jackson and Vince Williams Jr. early on, it is a staff that may completely enhance from their 27-win season from a yr in the past.
20. Houston Rockets
Vitality and enjoyable are the 2 phrases that come to thoughts when you concentrate on the Houston Rockets. Whereas they might be younger, Ime Udoka’s squad has a ton of potential. Jalen Inexperienced, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun, and Tari Eason are just some of the numerous younger, core items this staff has drafted by the years, and Houston appears primed to take a giant step ahead. In fact, that is all contingent on Inexperienced and Smith main the best way offensively subsequent to Sengun. If these two can actually emerge and develop into constant scorers, the Rockets will probably be making it again to the playoffs and rise from their No. 20 spot within the NBA energy rankings.
21. San Antonio Spurs
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The Victor Wembanyama-Chris Paul pick-and-roll mixture goes to be unimaginable to cease. No one can block Wemby’s shot to start with when he will get within the paint, and he’s now going to have the very best passer of all time throwing him lobs on the rim. Good luck to everybody that has to play the San Antonio Spurs this yr, as a result of they’ll be a lot improved and certain be within the hunt for a play-in event spot. Nevertheless, the Spurs will probably be with out Devin Vassell early on as he continues to recuperate from offseason surgical procedure. The excellent news is that the Spurs additionally added Harrison Barnes as one other veteran presence alongside Paul, and he ought to be capable to assist fill gaps in Vassell’s absence.
22. Charlotte Hornets
Charles Lee is the brand new head coach of the Charlotte Hornets, a staff that was beginning to hit their stride close to the conclusion of the 2023-24 season. Together with LaMelo Ball getting back from damage, the Hornets have a very stable quantity of depth and two key secondary scoring choices subsequent to Ball within the type of Miles Bridges and Brandon Miller. Grant Williams is returning, and the staff added a dynamic taking pictures guard in Josh Inexperienced this offseason. There’s a lot to be enthusiastic about concerning the Hornets, and if rookie first-round choose Tidjane Salaun could make an affect on the energy ahead place early on, Charlotte will probably be on a collision course with the play-in event.
23. Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors will not be a foul staff. Though they rank twenty third general within the NBA energy rankings, it is a group that has a whole lot of potential for progress with Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley. The issue is that this staff would not imagine in themselves, and that’s clear primarily based on Jakob Poeltl’s feedback at Media Day saying that it makes “no sense” for the staff to try to win each single sport. Even Masai Ujiri got here out and claimed that the staff is rebuilding. Who is aware of what’s going to occur with Toronto, particularly as a result of they do not even know what they wish to do at this level!
24. Atlanta Hawks
Will the Atlanta Hawks be capable to have a bounce-back season after buying and selling Dejounte Murray and drafting Zaccharie Risacher first general? Trae Younger appears to suppose so, because the All-Star level guard revealed just lately that his aim is to win and that the Hawks have to be again within the playoffs this upcoming season. Maybe that is simply the mentality of each All-Star, however in the event you attempt to learn into Younger’s phrases a little bit deeper, he could also be signaling a change in his profession ought to the Hawks come up in need of the postseason once more. In any case, Younger was concerned in a whole lot of commerce rumors during the last yr. Tensions are rising in Atlanta.
25. Utah Jazz
It’s actually laborious to venture the place the Utah Jazz will probably be this season, which is why they discover themselves close to the underside of the NBA energy rankings. Lauri Markkanen is dedicated to this rebuilding franchise after restructuring his contract and guaranteeing himself over $220 million, but there nonetheless is not a transparent sense of course or timeline fashioned in Utah. Will younger skills like Keyonte George, Cody Williams, and Taylor Hendricks see extra taking part in time over the likes of John Collins, Collin Sexton, and Jordan Clarkson? That is the query many want solutions to, as prioritizing youth over veterans might sign the Jazz being open for enterprise on the commerce deadline.
26. Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls had a horrible offseason, as they misplaced DeMar DeRozan, Alex Caruso, and their potential to contend for a playoff spot within the Jap Convention. Whereas the longer term provides promise with Josh Giddey and rookie Matas Buzelis, the Bulls nonetheless have lots to kind by, together with Zach LaVine’s future with the franchise. LaVine stays on the Bulls’ roster on account of there being zero curiosity in his contract across the league. Regardless of not calling this a rebuild, Chicago continues to rebuild and seek for solutions on easy methods to develop into related once more.
27. Portland Path Blazers
If there’s one staff within the league that simply has an assortment of expertise on their roster at each place, it’s the Portland Path Blazers. The issue is that not all of their expertise is utilized, and Portland appears to try to match each participant right into a field as a substitute of letting them play freely. That’s the reason Scoot Henderson struggled a lot throughout his rookie season. The Path Blazers have the potential to probably do one thing particular transferring ahead, nevertheless it actually does look like they’re confined to what they’ll in the end obtain. Count on the Blazers to be energetic this yr concerning trades, as it’s laborious to think about them ending the 2024-25 season with Deandre Ayton, Robert Williams III, and rookie Donovan Clingan nonetheless on the roster.
28. Brooklyn Nets
With out Mikal Bridges, the Brooklyn Nets discover themselves as a staff sitting close to the underside of the NBA energy rankings. The Nets have totally embraced the truth that they’re rebuilding, and they’re doing so with Cam Thomas and Nic Claxton as their key younger skills to assist usher in a brand new period. General, the Nets haven’t got a terrible-looking roster, as Dennis Schroder, Bojan Bogdanovic, Cam Johnson, and Dorian Finney-Smith are all veteran gamers that may assist stabilize issues on the courtroom. Don’t be shocked if the Nets are higher than marketed.
29. Detroit Pistons
One other yr, one other chunk of time wasted speaking about how the Detroit Pistons have potential on their roster. Maybe this would be the yr that the Pistons lastly rise from the ashes and assert themselves as a staff that may stand up the NBA energy rankings, however their probabilities of doing so seem like slim. There may be simply nothing thrilling concerning the model of basketball the Pistons have performed by the years, which is why there’s hope that new head coach JB Bickerstaff will be capable to implement a system for his younger core that enables them to play to their strengths. A minimum of Detroit nonetheless has Cade Cunningham, who signed a mega extension with the franchise within the offseason.
30. Washington Wizards
Very like the Thunder of the previous, the Washington Wizards have totally embraced the truth that they’re rebuilding and tanking for the highest general choose within the 2025 NBA Draft. Will Dawkins and the Wizards management perceive that they can not rush their course of, very like how Dawkins labored hand-in-hand with Sam Presti throughout his time in Oklahoma Metropolis. Issues have labored out fairly effectively over there for the Thunder, which is why Dawkins has applied a really related rebuilding technique since changing into the GM for Washington. Bilal Coulibaly and Alex Sarr are two proficient Frenchman, and the Wizards may have key veteran steerage from Jonas Valanciunas, Malcolm Brogdon, Kyle Kuzma, and Jordan Poole this season. Consider it or not, the Wizards are literally going to point out a whole lot of indicators of enchancment this season and take that subsequent step wanted to make sure success for his or her future.
