The NBA season is less than a month away, and the excitement is palpable. It’s been a long and dramatic offseason for many teams, and soon enough, the new season will begin.
Before all that gets underway, this offseason was crucial for many team. Some took a dramatic turn for the better, others remained roughly the same, and few are patiently waiting for next offseason already.
Let’s take a look at where each team stands at the moment.
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Tier 1: Title Favorites
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder are fresh off their first-ever title and are led by the reigning regular-season and Finals MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Oklahoma City is ready to run it back and are the clear favorites to go back-to-back this season.
2. Houston Rockets
The Rockets arguably had the best offseason of all 30 teams. Houston added future Hall of Famer and 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant, signed veteran Dorian Finney-Smith, traded for Clint Capela, and re-signed Fred VanVleet. Houston earned the No. 2 seed in the West, and all signs point to them doing the same thing — but this time, making a deep playoff run that could end with hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
3. Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets have the best player in the world on their side in Nikola Jokic and have retooled their roster like no other. Denver added Cam Johnson, brought back Bruce Brown, and signed Tim Hardaway Jr. and Jonas Valanciunas. They are ready and built to make noise throughout the season and beyond.
Tier 2: Title Contenders
4. New York Knicks
The Knicks are the best team in the East, and it’s no contest. They have a strong and reliable starting five, and after a deep playoff run, they are well-positioned to do it again this season.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers
After recording the second-best record in the league, the Cavaliers failed to make it out of the second round. However, with much of their core back and the addition of Lonzo Ball, they could once again be the best team in the East.
6. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers’ offseason wasn’t as massive as many expected, but they locked up Luka Doncic for the next three seasons. LA lost only one player this offseason and added three key pieces. With JJ Redick heading into his second year with LA and two of the league’s top 10 players on their roster, health may be the only thing stopping LA from making serious noise.
7. Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers may be the oldest team in the league, with an average age of 33, but with that comes experience. If they stay healthy, Los Angeles could have something special going. That, however, is a massive question. Still, with Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, and their new addition Brook Lopez, it’s hard to keep them out of this tier.
8. Golden State Warriors
Led by Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green, it’s hard to count the Warriors out. They finished the regular season on a strong note, and all signs point to that continuing this upcoming season.
9. Orlando Magic
The Magic haven’t won a playoff series since 2010, but in a weak conference and with rising stars leading the way, this season is as good as any to take that leap. If they can remain healthy, Orlando could be a real threat to make a deep playoff run.
Tier 3: Playoffs, Here We Come
10. Minnesota Timberwolves
After back-to-back trips to the Western Conference Finals, the Timberwolves are ready to break through. However, with many teams ahead of them reloaded, they drop down to Tier 3. Minnesota has surprised people before, and with a top-10 player in Anthony Edwards, they could once again do just that.
11. Dallas Mavericks
Injuries and trading away their superstar burst their bubble last season, but with No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg alongside Anthony Davis, the Mavericks will be a playoff team — and possibly more — if things go their way.
12. Detroit Pistons
The Pistons are ready to take a massive leap after surprising many last season. Detroit is a young, athletic, and hungry team ready to take the league by storm.
13. Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks had arguably the second-best offseason, adding a flurry of valuable players. Atlanta has struggled since its 2021 Eastern Conference Finals run, but if this offseason is any indicator, the Hawks are likely to earn a top-six spot in the East.
14. San Antonio Spurs
Victor Wembanyama. That’s the story. The Spurs can reach their full potential this season as long as the Frenchman stays healthy. If that’s the case, San Antonio will not only make the playoffs, but could also pull off an upset in the first round with the right matchup.
15. Milwaukee Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo. That’s the Bucks’ only hope. They will go as far as he can take them. While Antetokounmpo is a top-three player in the world, that may not be enough, even in a season where the East is as weak as ever.
16. Boston Celtics
The Celtics had one of the more dramatic makeovers this offseason, and it wasn’t by choice. Nonetheless, they rebuilt the best roster they could and might surprise some folks in what could be a year without Jayson Tatum.
17. Philadelphia 76ers
Another team that could make serious noise if injuries don’t get in the way. The 76ers were among the most depleted teams in the league last season. If that’s not the case this year, Joel Embiid could feast in a weak East.
Tier 4: Stuck Between Hope and Reality
18. Portland Trail Blazers
The Blazers are possibly two years away from really becoming a problem in the league. With a mix of veterans and youngsters, they could battle for a play-in spot.
19. Indiana Pacers
The team that made an improbable run to a title will be without its best player for the entire season. This year will be a battle for the reigning Eastern Conference champions, but who knows? Maybe they continue to surprise us.
20. Miami Heat
The Heat may be looking ahead to make a big move in the summer of 2026 or 2027. Still, they have enough to give teams a run for their money.
21. Memphis Grizzlies
It once appeared the Grizzlies were set to be one of the best teams of the decade. However, many things have gone wrong, and this season doesn’t look promising. Still, with Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. on the roster, there’s always a chance.
22. Toronto Raptors
The Raptors are still retooling, and with a new president leading the way, they may still be a ways away from being a real threat.
23. Sacramento Kings
The Kings lack strength in areas where many top Western teams excel — especially the point guard position. It will be tough sledding for Sacramento this season, a team that once looked like it could’ve been a force.
24. Phoenix Suns
Trading away Kevin Durant is a big reason why they’ve fallen into this tier. Who knows, though? Maybe Devin Booker and Jalen Green can make it work.
Tier 5: Is It April Yet?
25. New Orleans Pelicans
The future of Zion Williamson in New Orleans is murky, and the Pelicans could be in total sell mode before the trade deadline.
26. Chicago Bulls
The Bulls will go 28 years without a title after this season. Still, they were able to retain Josh Giddey, one of the few bright spots from last year.
27. Charlotte Hornets
It feels like the Hornets will be stuck in this tier for the foreseeable future.
28. Brooklyn Nets
The Nets have the assets to make a massive trade, but it appears they’ll instead use their picks, like they did in June, to build from the ground up.
29. Utah Jazz
The Jazz will be gunning for the No. 1 pick this season and hoping BYU product AJ Dybantsa stays in Utah.
30. Washington Wizards
The Wizards have a ton of picks and money to spend in the near future. Time will tell what they decide to do with it.