It is now basketball season, and that means it is time for our start of the season power rankings. This ranking is based on last year’s performance by every team, plus off-season moves made by all of the teams.

1. Boston Celtics
Over 101 games (regular season + playoffs), the Celtics outscored their opponents by an average of 10.7 points per game, the fifth-best mark for any team in NBA history. Boston is also the first team in 47 years since the NBA started counting turnovers to rank in the top two on both ends of the floor in two straight seasons. After nine straight seasons in the playoffs, a crushing loss to the Golden State Warriors in the 2022 NBA Finals, and last regular season finishing first atop the NBA, the Celtics took back the NBA Title after 16 seasons. On Oct. 11, 2020, the Los Angeles Lakers tied the NBA record for most titles in NBA history with 17. On Jun. 17, 2024, the Boston Celtics beat the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals to break that tie and win their 18th NBA Title, the first since 2008, and most in NBA history. With stars such as forwards Jayson Tatum, Finals MVP Jalen Brown, center Kristaps Porziņġis, and guard Jrue Holiday returning with the Celtics this season, Boston looks to remain a force to reckon with.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder
Last season, the Oklahoma City Thunder was the youngest team in 24 years to clinch the top seed in the Western Conference. They won their first playoff series since the 2015-16 Western Conference semifinals, and last June were able to draft Serbian star guard Nikola Topić. Oklahoma City will be a force to reckon with for a while.

3. New York Knicks
Last season was the first in 28 years since the Knicks ranked top 10 on both ends of the floor. With the addition of forward Mikel Bridges, New York looks to increase their NBA Title odds after barely losing to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

4. Minnesota Timberwolves
Last year was the Minnesota Timberwolves best season since the 2003-04 season. Center Rudy Gobert was even able to win Defensive Player Of the Year. Minnesota had many departures and signings, so they will definitely be looking significantly different. However, with the return of stars such as Gobert and Guard Anthony Edwards, the Timberwolves will likely remain a tough team to battle.

5. Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets have easily proved to be one of the top teams in the NBA. Not only should they be a top team this season with their starters, but Denver has looked to create a strong bench too, with the signing of center Dario Šarić to back up Nikola Jokić, and point guard Russell Westbrook to back up Jamal Murray. After barely being eliminated by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference semifinals, the Denver looks to comeback and possibly a return to the Finals. Which with their trio of 3x MVP center Nikola Jokić, guard Jamal Murray, forward Michael Porter Jr., and now the Nuggets’ strong bench, Denver will likely remain a difficult team to beat.

6. Phoenix Suns
Armed with the the priciest trio in the NBA, of guards Bradley Beale, Devon Booker, and forward Kevin Durant, Phoenix fell very short of expectations, getting swept in the first round by the  Timberwolves breaking the Suns first round winning streak of the past three seasons. With the hiring of new coach Mike Budenholzer, and all the other new roster members of Phoenix, while still keeping the trio, the Suns look to improve this season after last year not turning out as thought then.

7. Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks were a major surprise last season, not only improving from a 2022-23 38-44 record to a 50-32 record in the 2023-24 season, but making it as a fifth seed into the NBA Finals, being the away team in all four series too. Dallas lost to the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals, but has high hopes entering this season after their big comeback regular season and playoff runs. The addition of star guard Klay Thompson especially adds to the Mavericks’ confidence going into this season.

8. Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers have been in the playoffs for seven straight years, but haven’t been able to get over the hump. This year, Philadelphia had one of the biggest off seasons of all the NBA teams, with the departures of forwards Tobias Harris, Nicholas Batum, Paul Reed, and guard De’Anthony Melton; and the additions of center Andre Drummond, guards Eric Gordon, Reggie Jackson, forwards Caleb Martin, and future hall-of-farmer Paul George. The health of George and 2022-23 MVP Joel Embiid will be concerns this season for the 76ers, after George’s preseason knee injury and Embiid’s ankle injury in December. But if the 76ers can avoid injuries, create chemistry with its newly constructed roster, Philadelphia can not only improve in the regular season, but go potentially advance past the Eastern Conference Semifinals too. Guard Tyrese Maxey winning Most Improved Player last season, and showing all-star potential too, is another promising factor for the 76ers this year.

9. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers have had two of the least efficient playoff series in the last two years, including 100 points per 100 possessions as they defeated the Orlando Magic in the first round. Aside from new head coach Kenny Atkinson, the Cavaliers haven’t added too many new additions. However, after the team’s first playoff series win since the 2018 Eastern Conference Finals vs the Celtics, Cleveland is feeling confident going into this season.

10. Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers were a major surprise team in the NBA last season, not only making it to the playoffs for the first time since the 2019-20 season, and winning their first playoff series in 10 years, but advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals as a sixth seed. The mid-season acquisition of forward Pascal Siakam especially helped the Pacers progress through the second half of the regular season, and playoffs. Last season, Indiana led the league in both ball movement and player movement, both in the regular season and playoffs. The Pacers the past couple years have been one of the youngest teams in the league, but as the players have gained chemistry through the years, and with the addition of former NBA champion Siakam, Indiana is feeling very comfortable entering the 2024-25 season.

11. Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks have ranked in the top 10 offensively each of the last eight seasons. They led the league in field goal percentage in the paint, but ranked 28th in their shots in the paint. The Bucks lost guards Malik Beasley and Patrick Beverly, but gained guards Gary Trent Jr., Delon Wright, and forward Tauren Prince. The Bucks will also be adapting to new head coach Doc Rivers entering the 2024-25 season.

12. New Orleans Pelicans
Last season, New Orleans Pelicans star forward was almost able to play a full season, after returning on Nov. 23, but his NBA playoff debut was cut short after a left hamstring strain during the NBA Play-In tournament vs. the Los Angeles Lakers. New Orleans was swept in the first round by the Oklahoma City Thunder, but with the returning lineup of forwards Brandon Ingram, Trey Murphy, guard CJ McCollum, all alongside Williamson, the Pelicans look to remain strong, and go further this regular season and playoffs.

13. Orlando Magic
Last season, the Orlando Magic had their best season since 2010-11, with a record of 47-35 and first in the southeast conference. They narrowly lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round last season. Orlando resigned many players, while adding veterans, so this season the Magic look to vamp their team, make it back to the playoffs, and go farther in them this season.

14. Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are starting to turn the page on the Splash Brothers era after trading away guard Jordan Poole to the Wizards the prior offseason and guard Klay Thompson sent off to the Dallas Mavericks. Golden State is making many change-ups as a whole, after losing guard Chris Paul and forward Dario Šaric, and obtaining many other players. The Warriors are not the dynasty they used to be, and a significantly different team in general. But with the many switch-ups made this off-season, they look to create new chemistry, and see where that road takes them.

15. Sacramento Kings
It has been 20 years since the Sacramento Kings have won a playoff series. They broke their playoff drought streak in the 2022-23, though narrowly lost to the Golden State Warriors 4-3. Sacramento slightly regressed last season with just two less regular season win than the previous season. The Kings made it to the NBA play-in tournament, but were eliminated again by the Warriors. Sacramento made loads of trades during the off-season, with their biggest being the acquisition of six time all-star forward Demar DeRozen. With DeRozen and all the other change-ups made by the Kings, this year, they look to see if they can now break that long playoff win drought.

16. Miami Heat
Last season, the improved some from their previous regular season record, but playoff run on the other hand was totally different, as Miami went from eighth seed to NBA Finals in the 2023 playoffs to still eighth seed but losing in the first round to a rematch of the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics. Six-time all-star forward Jimmy Butler is still one of the most talented players in the league, but at 35, he’s not near what used to be, as his per-game stats are not near what they used to be. Still a strong player, though, and with the Heat’s three draft picks and free agent signing, Miami looks to go farther this year.

17. Memphis Grizzlies
The injury of guard Ja Morant created a huge toll for the Memphis Grizzlies last season, after Memphis went from three straight years in the playoffs to finishing 13th in the Western Conference and a record of 27-55. Morant is still young, though, and one of the top point guards in the NBA. The Grizzlies also has three draft picks last June, including Purdue star Center Zach Edey. With the Grizzlies being a young team, and if Morant can stay healthy, Memphis could grow from this coming season and become a tough force in upcoming seasons.

18. Houston Rockets
Last season, the Houston Rockets made a spirited run at the postseason winning 11 straight in March. Unfortunately, for Houston, they ran out of games. The Rockets had the third overall draft pick from Brooklyn because of the James Harden trade in 2021, and used it on star Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard. Not many changes other than that for Houston, but this year, the Rockets look to make that playoff spot they narrowly missed last season.

19. Los Angeles Lakers
With Bronny James now playing alongside his father, that storyline will make this season interesting for the Los Angeles Lakers. However, the reaffirmation of Anthony Davis last season will also be very promising for the Lakers coming into this season, as he proved to be a high impact player on both ends of the floor.

20. Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers had their best regular season since the 2016-17 season, though this year, it is tough to say how things will look for the Clippers, as they will be having a very different roster. After a slew of departures from trades and free agency. The five year Kawhi Leonard and Paul George duo didn’t produce a trip to the NBA Finals, so the Clippers have been looking at more future flexible moves to improve their team.

21. Atlanta Hawks
The injury of Trae Young caused the Atlanta Hawks to not do as well as they could’ve, and even caused them to fall just short of the playoffs. Atlanta has made many player change-ups this off-season, though, and after winning the NBA Draft Lottery, were able to draft LNB star Zaccharie Risacher. If the Hawks can stay healthy, adapt to their newly constructed roster, and use their number one pick to his fullest, Atlanta could not only make up for narrowly missing the playoffs last season, but be a dangerous force too.

22. Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors have been in a major rebuild lately, especially since not being able to live up to the 2019 NBA Title team they previously were. As a matter of fact, the trade to the Indiana Pacers of Pascal Siakam sent away Toronto’s last crucial piece of that championship roster.  With all of the youth and new pieces as a whole added to the Raptors’ roster, Toronto looks to develop a new culture, and potentially become a playoff team once again.

23. San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs lost 26 out of 28 games from late fall to mid-winter, with a roster lacking talent and experience. Fortunately, they had NBA Rookie of the Year center Victor Wembanyama, the number one pick of the 2023 NBA draft, who was a major player for San Antonio last season. As for this coming season, the Spurs drafted UConn star guard Stephon Castle, and signed future Hall-of-Fame guard Chris Paul and forward Harrison Barnes. Those additions should strongly boost San Antonio’s roster, and help them improve this season and quite potentially years to come.

24. Detroit Pistons
Last season, the Detroit Pistons set the record for the longest NBA losing streak in a single-season at 28 straight games, tying the record for the longest NBA losing streak in history with the 2014-15, 2015-16 Philadelphia 76ers. The past five decades have been harsh for Detroit, as they are the only team that’s been worse than average on both ends of the court. The Pistons finished last in the NBA last season with a record of 14-68, but look to bounce back after a slew of off-season additions signing forwards Tobias Harris, Ronald Holland II, Paul Reed, guards Malik Beasley, Tim Hardaway Jr., and new head coach J.B. Bickerstaff.

25. Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls hoped having stars forward Demar DeRozen and guard Alex Caruso would help the team March to the playoffs, though while DeRozen and Caruso were two of Chicago’s top players this season, the Bulls were unsuccessful in reaching the postseason. Chicago had many injuries last season, and that especially made it a challenge for the Bulls to reach the playoffs. DeRozen and Caruso however got traded during the off-season, in exchange for guards Josh Giddey from the Caruso trade, and Chris Duarte from the DeRozen trade in which Chicago also got two second round draft picks. The Bulls are hoping these switch-ups can help the team evolve, this season, as well as upcoming ones. The presence of DeRozen and Caruso will be missed for Chicago, but the Bulls are hoping the trade acquisitions will work to their benefits for the team.

26. Utah Jazz
The collapse from the Donovan Mitchell-Rudy Gobert era has been continuing for the Utah Jazz as the past four seasons have been seeing them get less wins each. Last offseason, Utah added several new players from three free agents, three draft picks and all three top 35, and three unsigned free agents. The Jazz have been looking at a strong rebuild, hope for a recovery this year, and seasons to come.

27.  Charlotte Hornets
Last season, the Charlotte Hornets had their roughest season since 2011-12, finishing with a record of 21-61. Guard Lamelo Ball’s injury especially ruined chances of optimism for Charlotte this season. If the Hornets can avoid injuries altogether, adapt to the new coaching style of Charles Lee, and make the most with star Cholet Basket forward Tidjane Salaün, Charlotte could show big improvement this season.

28. Portland Trailblazers
In the Portland Trailblazers first season in 11 years without star guard Damian Lillard, Portland regressed last season. The Trailblazers have struggled to find someone to fill that centerpiece. Injuries and a rough rookie transition from #3 2023 pick Scoot Henderson also caused Portland’s season to be tougher, though if the trailblazers can avoid those injuries, as well as allowing Henderson along with number seven 2024 pick UConn star center Donovan Clingan, Portland can look to improve off their previous record.

29. Brooklyn Nets
A few years ago, the Brooklyn Nets were a championship caliber team. But since trading away guards Kylie Irving, James Harden, forward Kevin Durant, and now the recent trade of Mikel Bridges, Brooklyn has been in a major rebuild mode. The Nets finished with a record of 32-50, but didn’t finish top 10 in any offensive or defensive factors last season. Their highest, however, was 12th in offensive rebounding percentage, up from 29th in 2022-23. This season, it looks like the Brooklyn Nets will be aiming for ping-pong balls for next year’s draft, but also looking to develop stars Center Nic Claxton and forward Cam Thomas, and adapt to the style of new coach Jordy Fernandez.

30. Washington Wizards
In spite of the additions of guard Jordan Poole and center Bill Coulibaly during the Washington Wizards’ 2023 offseason, Washington ended up having a rough 2023-24 season finishing second-to-last in the NBA with a record of 15-67, just one win ahead of the NBA’s last place team the Detroit Pistons. The Wizards were the first team since the 1994-95 Los Angeles Clippers to go winless (0-13) in the second game of back-to-backs. With key additions such as guards Bub Carrington, Malcom Brogdon, forward Alexandre Sarr, center Jonas Valanciunas, and new head coach Brian Keefe, and Washington looking to help Poole pick up where he left off during his time with the Golden State Warriors, the Wizards look to rebound this season.