NBA Power Rankings 2023-24: All 30 Teams Ranked

The 2023-24 NBA season is almost underway and it will have a tough job ahead: living up to the hype of the offseason craziness. This season will build on the storylines of last year and we plan to cover all of them below.

Will the Nuggets be the first repeat NBA champions since the Warriors in 2017 and 2018? Are the Bucks able to reach the mountaintop again in a top-heavy Eastern Conference thanks to Damian Lillard? And will somebody please trade for James Harden?! Let’s rank all 30 teams for the 2023-24 season.

NBA POWER RANKINGS: ALL 30 NBA TEAMS RANKED FROM 1-30

1. Denver Nuggets

Last Season: 1st in West, 53-29

The 2023 NBA Champions will not surprise anyone this year like last season, after they won every playoff series without losing more than two games. They still have an unreal starting five of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, Michael Porter Jr. and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. A perfect blend of skill, unselfish passing, and clutchness that makes them a nightmare for every defense in the West. The only potential drop-offs: motivation to repeat after already reaching the promised land, and having their other bench players step up to fill the voids left by Bruce Brown and Jeff Green.

2. Milwaukee Bucks

Last Season: 1st in East, 58-24 

The biggest trade of the offseason went down a couple of weeks ago, as the Bucks acquired superstar Damian Lillard in a three-team deal. Adding Lilliard to a team with Giannis Antetokounmpo is an embarrassment of riches and the team with the best record in the NBA in 2022-23 will likely cruise through the regular season. The Bucks main challenge is new coach Adrian Griffin integrating Lilliard into a balanced and unselfish offense come playoff time. Milwaukee also has to face the challenge of replacing Jrue Holiday’s defense, but that will be more apparent in April. 

3. Boston Celtics

Last Season: 2nd in West, 57-25

The team one game away from making the finals for the second straight year last season is back, and they brought new friends. The Celtics added Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday to its impressive young core. However, their depth and defense have taken a step down. As good as Holiday is, he will need time to get integrated into the team and to make sure he can stay healthy come April. 

4. Phoenix Suns

Last Season: 4th in West, 45-37

The Suns, just like the previous teams on this list, have a superstar lineup. One could argue their big three of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal is the scariest in basketball. With those three stars alone, they can take turns resting throughout the season and still make the playoffs. What hurts them is their severe lack of depth. 

5. Golden State Warriors

Last Season: 6th in West, 44-38

The Warriors are a well-established veteran team that NBA fans more or less know what to expect by now. The good: with Jordan Poole off the roster, there is no season-long drama to deal with. The addition of Chris Paul adds one of the best guards of all time on the bench of a stacked roster who can give any playoff team a run for their money. The bad: every player on the Warriors is a year older than last year and in basketball this is not a positive. We’ve seen Klay drop off within the last couple of years following his injuries, and Steph Curry is now 35 years old.

6. Los Angeles Lakers

Last Season: 7th in West, 43-39

The first of the two Los Angeles teams on this list, the Lakers are likely the team with the least surprises coming into this season. LeBron James, Anthony Davis and company will do their repeat act of injuries, trades and hints at LeBron leaving at the end of the season, only for them to miraculously sneak into the playoffs and make a deep run. A full year of Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt, as well as the addition of Gabe Vincent, round out a very solid lineup. 

7. Sacramento Kings

Last Season: 3rd in West, 48-34 

The Kings are a young, fun team boasting one of the most reliable starting lineups in the league. They could easily contend with any team in the West with their solid and balanced roster. What the Kings lacked last season was defense and experience, and they have improved on both of those ends.  

8. Philadelphia 76ers

Last Season: 3rd in East, 54-28

Perhaps the 76ers should be higher on this list, after all, they have the reigning MVP Joel Embiid. Philly has also made a coaching change, adding Nick Nurse to change the culture. They have a great roster of veterans and guard Tyrese Maxey is a future superstar.  However, they still need to show that they can relieve some of the offensive stress on Embiid’s shoulders. Lastly, the 76ers are still dealing with the fallout of the James Harden drama.

9. Los Angeles Clippers 

Last Season: 5th in West, 44-38 

The second Los Angeles team makes the list at the ninth spot and similar to the Lakers, we more or less know what to expect. The Clippers have one of the best coaches in the league in Tyronn Lue and the superstar duo of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are a nightmare for any defense. What has hurt the Clippers in the past is injuries. If Kawhi and PG are both healthy, they could easily move up to a top five spot on this list.

10. Miami Heat

Last Season: 8th in East, 44-38

The Heat are already facing many doubters this year after failing to acquire Damian Lillard, but doubters are something the team is used to by now. The duo of Eric Spoelstra and Jimmy Butler dragged the Heat to the finals for the second time in three years last season and hope to do it again. The Heat retained their core of Butler, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, while the rest of the roster is filled out with solid veterans and decent role players.

11. Memphis Grizzlies

Last Season: 51-31, 2nd in West

With the second-best record in the West last season, it may be a bit surprising that Memphis is this low on the list. However, the Grizzlies were bounced in the first round of the playoffs and some of their players, namely their superstar Ja Morant and last season’s defensive player of the year Jaren Jackson Jr., looked a bit exposed against better competition. Morant will also be out for the first 25 games of the season due to a suspension, and while the Grizzlies do look good at times without him, 25 games is a lot to be without your best player. 

12. Brooklyn Nets

Last Season: 45-37, 6th in East

This looks like the year the Nets are finally evening out after a rollercoaster couple of seasons, as Mikal Bridges has shown himself to be a star that can carry a team. Brooklyn has a very solid roster top to bottom with few weaknesses, and with Bridges, Cam Johson and Lonnie Walker IV, they are loaded with two-way players. They may not have the big names on their roster, but they have more than enough talent to compete for a top four spot in the East.

13. Cleveland Cavaliers 

Last Season: 51-31, 4th in East

Cleveland aims to build upon their great regular season last year with more playoff success. On paper, the Cavs have a great roster boasting one of the best backcourts in the league with Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland. Cleveland can easily compete for a top three spot in the East and it will be on the shoulders of young star Evan Mobley to determine whether they can make a deep playoff run. 

14. New York Knicks

Last Season: 47-35, 5th in East

The Knicks have a very solid roster, contending for one of the best starting fives in the NBA. Jalen Brunson has easily been worth his contract so far and Julius Randle, Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett fill out a very strong lineup. The Knicks’ roster may even be better than some of the teams above and coach Tom Thibodeau has shown throughout his career that he can get the best out of his players. However, he has yet to make a deep run with this Knicks squad. 

15. Dallas Mavericks 

Last Season: 38-44, 11th in West

Even in a stacked Western conference, it is hard to put a team with Luca Doncic and Kyrie Irving too far down on this list. The Mavs’ roster has been shaken up many times over the last couple of years and even with two of the best players in the league on their team, it is hard to win without consistency and depth. The rest of their roster is decent, filled out with solid role players like Seth Curry, Tim Hardaway Jr. and new addition Grant Williams. Dallas has potential but will need some additions if they want to seriously contend. 

16. New Orleans Pelicans

Last Season: 40-42, 10th in West

The Pelicans will be an X factor in the NBA this coming season, where if all their best players are healthy, they can make a deep playoff run. The New Orleans squad has proven over the last couple of years that an NBA team needs more than talent to win, as they have had a losing record in Willie Green’s tenure. New Orleans features a big three that rivals any in the league:  Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram. Their roster is filled out with solid two-way players like Herb Jones, Jose Alvarado, and Larry Nance Jr. The Pelicans continue to have a lot of potential, they just need to convert it to wins. 

17. Oklahoma City Thunder

Last Season: 40-42, 10th in West

With one of the most promising young rosters in the league, the sky's the limit for this Thunder team. In the East they would easily be a playoff team. However, in the West, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and company will have to fight tooth and nail to make the postseason. The Thunder have very promising young players who can contribute on both ends, including Lu Dort, Josh Giddey and Jalen Williams. First round pick Chet Holmgren is also healthy after missing last season. 

18. Minnesota Timberwolves 

Last Season: 8th in West, 42-40

The Timberwolves underachieved last season, despite the big trade for Rudy Gobert. Minnesota added veteran guards Mike Conley and Shake Milton to help compliment their star Anthony Edwards and give some energy off the bench. On paper, the Timberwolves’ roster is as good as most of the teams above them, however, it is their cohesion that has held them back, particularly with implementing Gobert on offense with their other big man Karl-Anthony Towns. 

19. Chicago Bulls

Last Season: 10th in East, 40-42

The Bulls’ roster continues to have star quality with Demar DeRozan and Zach Lavine and was one win away from taking the Heat’s spot in the playoffs last year. The Bulls have a bright future as well with Ayo Dosunmu, Patrick Williams, Coby White and Lonzo Ball (eventually). Chicago was also a good defensive team last year. However, they have underperformed in the past and the Bulls are stuck in that dangerous middle zone in the NBA, too good to tank, not good enough to contend.

20. Atlanta Hawks

Last Season: 41-41, 7th in East

With Trae Young on their roster anything is possible, and perhaps the Hawks are too low on this list. However, the NBA has shown every year that a team needs more than one player to reach new heights. Atlanta has as much talent and skill on their roster as many of the teams above them with great guard play from Dejounte Murray and Bogdan Bogdanovic. Onyeka Okongwu and Saddiq Bey are great young players that any team would be lucky to have and De’Andre Hunter has shown year after year that he is one of the more underrated players at his position.

21. Indiana Pacers

Last Season: 35-47, 11th in East

The Pacers are a team that will catch people by surprise this year. The new addition of Bruce Brown will give them much needed scoring. His young teammates Tyrese Haliburton and Benedict Mathurin are excellent players on both ends of the floor and will give the Pacers a good shot at the playoffs. Indiana needs a few more pieces to be in the conversation of serious NBA title contenders but they are headed in the right direction. 

22. Utah Jazz

Last Season: 12th in West, 37-45

The Jazz were a bit of a surprise last season, boasting a decent record when most experts predicted them to tank after Rudy Gobert was traded. However, the Jazz have a solid roster that seemingly is looking better this season with the addition of John Collins from the Hawks. Utah’s scoring will remain in good form with Lauri Markannen, Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson all able to consistently put up points. 

23. Portland Trail Blazers

Last Season: 13th in West, 33-49

The biggest story for the Trail Blazers is what life will be like without Damian Lilliard, and on paper it is not so terrible. They will not be a serious contender this season, however, they have a good roster with new additions DeAndre Ayton, Robert Williams and Malcolm Brogdon offering them much needed help on both ends. Portland drafted Scoot Henderson second overall, and he has loads of potential. Anfernee Simons has already shown himself to be a great young player. 

24. Toronto Raptors

Last Season: 9th in East, 41-41

Toronto’s squad still has a few of the bones from the 2019 championship season, however, this team is far away from the promised land. Pascal Siakam is still a star and OG Anunoby is a great second or third option on any team, but the Raptors do not seem as though they are making moves to contend for the playoffs this season. With general manager Masai Ujiri at the helm, the Raptors will be fine, just don’t expect too much from them this season.

25. Houston Rockets

Last Season: 14th in West, 22-60

The Rockets will almost certainly not be one of the worst teams in basketball for a second season in a row as they made the big signing of Fred VanVleet in free agency. Houston also has some good young players, as Jalen Green has established himself as a star and Jabari Smith Jr. has the potential to be a stud on offense. Dillon Brooks will also give them much needed help on defense after coming over in free agency. However, the Rockets play in a stacked Western Conference and still need a year or two to figure out what direction they are going in as a franchise.

26. Orlando Magic

Last Season: 13th in East, 34-48

The Magic may not be ready to contend yet, however, they have an exciting roster stacked with young players. The 2022 first overall pick, Paolo Banchero, showed promise in his rookie of the year. Along with Franz Wagner and the backcourt of Jalen Suggs and Cole Anthony, the Magic may even be able to sneak into the play-in in a weak Eastern Conference.

27. Detroit Pistons

Last season: 15 in East, 17-65

The Pistons’ future may be brighter than one would think with a load of young players and new coach Monty Williams, who has a proven track record of winning wherever he goes. Their first overall pick from two years ago, Cade Cunningham, will return after he missed most of last season due to injury. Jaden Ivey and Killian Hayes are both potential stars. 

28. San Antonio Spurs

Last Season: 15th in West, 22-60

The Spurs will be a must-watch team this season with top overall pick Victor Wembanyama, who is one of the best prospects the NBA has ever seen. San Antonio has a rich history of drafting big men and immediately profiting from it, however, it may be a bit before we see Wembanyama start winning. If fellow youngsters Jeremy Sochan, Devin Vassell and Tre Jones overperform they will win more games than expected, but their entire goal this season is to build around Wembanyama and prepare him for a long career. 

29. Washington Wizards

Last Season: 12th in East, 35-47

The Wizards were already one of the worst teams in the NBA last season and that was before they traded their superstar Bradley Beal to the Suns. Fans are not expecting much from the Wizards this season, however, they did acquire Jordan Poole and Danilo Gallinari as solid pieces who will put up good scoring numbers. The Wizards are in good shape for a future rebuild with all of the draft picks they got for Beal. 

30. Charlotte Hornets

Last Season: 14th in East, 27-55

The Hornets take the last spot as they are in a major state of uncertainty with Michael Jordan selling the team and LaMelo Ball coming back from injury. The good news for the Hornets is that LaMelo will likely still be a good player and their second overall pick Brandon Miller was unreal at Alabama and looks NBA-ready.

Related: Stay ahead in basketball with our expert NBA Predictions.