The 2026-27 NBA season begins this week. The past few seasons have shown just how much parity exists across the NBA, and this season has the potential to be the wildest yet. After a preseason filled with new faces in new places, here are the first NBA power rankings of the season.
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Ranks 30-25
30. Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis remains at the bottom of the league despite finishing the preseason 3-1. Cedric Coward and Cameron Boozer headline a young roster with potential, but the Grizzlies still lack the talent and experience needed to compete with the league’s best teams. Their preseason success is encouraging, but there is still plenty of work to do.
29. Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers added guard Keaton Wagler with the fifth overall pick in the draft, giving them a young player to build around. Los Angeles finished the preseason 2-1, but a few exhibition wins won’t solve the franchise’s larger problems. The penalties stemming from the Kawhi Leonard scandal have created additional obstacles, leaving the Clippers with a difficult road ahead.
28. Sacramento Kings
Sacramento enters the season with plenty of questions after finishing the preseason 0-5. Darius Acuff has been inconsistent during his first preseason appearances, but he has shown flashes of an explosive scoring guard. Veterans Zach LaVine and Domantas Sabonis should keep the Kings competitive on certain nights, but the roster still has significant weaknesses that could make for a long season.
27. Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee finished the preseason 2-3, offering a mixed outlook after the end of the Giannis Antetokounmpo era. The Bucks face a difficult transition without their former franchise centerpiece, and the roster has yet to establish a clear identity. Milwaukee has some pieces to build around, but it will likely struggle to compete with the Eastern Conference’s top teams.
26. Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn has an interesting mix of veterans and young talent. Michael Porter Jr. and Julius Randle headline the veteran group, while lottery pick Mikel Brown Jr. and Egor Demin could form an exciting young backcourt. The Nets finished the preseason 3-1, providing some early encouragement. Although a playoff push remains unlikely, Brooklyn has reasons to be optimistic about its future.
25. Dallas Mavericks
Dallas finished the preseason 1-3, but the results shouldn’t be a major concern. Kyrie Irving returns from injury, while rookie Morez Johnson adds another young piece to the roster. With Dusty May taking over as head coach, the Mavericks have an opportunity to develop their young talent. They might not be ready to contend, but a surprise run toward the play-in tournament isn’t out of the question.
Ranks 24-17
24. Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte took a step backward this offseason by trading LaMelo Ball after six years with the franchise. Naz Reid arrived in the deal, while Coby White is expected to take over Ball’s role in the backcourt. The Hornets finished the preseason 1-3, and their roster still has plenty of questions. After reaching the play-in picture, Charlotte could find itself back in the lottery.
23. Chicago Bulls
Chicago has plenty of reasons to be excited about its future. The Bulls finished the preseason 3-2, with rookie of the year candidate Caleb Wilson leading the way. The franchise also made significant changes to its personnel and front office this offseason. Chicago still has work to do, but a young roster with something to prove could keep the Bulls in the play-in race.
22. Phoenix Suns
Phoenix returns much of its roster while adding Miles Bridges and several depth pieces. However, a 1-4 preseason record did little to inspire confidence. The Suns have enough talent to compete for a play-in spot, but they lack the overall depth and star power needed to challenge the Western Conference’s top teams.
21. Utah Jazz
Darynn Peterson, the second overall pick in the 2026 draft, joins Keyonte George, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Lauri Markkanen. The Jazz finished the preseason 3-1, showing some early promise as their young players continue to develop. Their lack of experience keeps them outside the playoff conversation for now, but their long-term potential is worth watching.
20. Orlando Magic
Orlando is relying on its core of Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Desmond Bane to lead the way. The addition of Nikola Vucevic gives the Magic another option behind Wendell Carter Jr. Orlando finished the preseason 3-1, and with continuity on its side, the team has a chance to take another step forward.
19. Washington Wizards
The Wizards added Anthony Davis, extended Trae Young and selected AJ Dybantsa with the first overall pick. Washington finished the preseason 2-2, but their potential extends beyond a handful of exhibition games. If the pieces fit together, the Wizards could emerge as a surprise contender.
18. New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans finished the preseason 3-1. New Orleans added AJ Johnson and Benedict Mathurin this offseason, giving an already promising roster more scoring options. If Zion Williamson and Dejounte Murray stay healthy, New Orleans could compete for a postseason spot.
17. Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta brought in Luguentz Dort, Aaron Wiggins and Kingston Flemings. Dort adds much-needed defensive toughness alongside Dyson Daniels, while Wiggins and Flemings provide additional options. The Hawks finished the preseason 4-1, one of the stronger records in the Eastern Conference. If their offseason additions come together, Atlanta could be a difficult matchup throughout the season.
Ranks 16-11
16. Indiana Pacers
The Pacers are no longer the same team that reached the NBA Finals two seasons ago. Indiana finished the preseason 1-3, although the results matter less than how quickly Haliburton can regain his rhythm.
15. Golden State Warriors
Golden State finished the preseason 4-2, showing some encouraging signs ahead of the regular season. As long as Stephen Curry is on the court, Golden State has a chance to compete. The Warriors added Yaxel Lendeborg in the lottery and will benefit from Jimmy Butler’s return from injury.
14. Portland Trail Blazers
Portland enters the season with a new identity following the addition of Ja Morant and Damian Lillard’s return. Deni Avdija’s All-Star-level play gives the Trail Blazers another reliable offensive option. Portland finished the preseason 2-1, but its regular-season ceiling will depend on how quickly its new pieces develop chemistry.
13. Toronto Raptors
Toronto brings Kawhi Leonard back to the city where he helped deliver the franchise’s first championship. Leonard joins Scottie Barnes to form a potentially dominant defensive pairing, while Immanuel Quickley and R.J. Barrett provide additional scoring. The Raptors finished the preseason 2-3, but exhibition results don’t tell the whole story.
12. Houston Rockets
The Rockets finished the preseason 2-1, offering some early encouragement as they prepare for his return. With few major roster changes, Houston is counting on VanVleet to improve its offense and help push the team toward contention.
11. Miami Heat
Miami finished the preseason 3-2, but the team’s success will depend on more than its exhibition results. Giannis gives the Heat an elite centerpiece to pair alongside Bam Adebayo, though their thin supporting cast could become a problem over a long season.
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Top 10
10. Detroit Pistons
Detroit finished last season atop the Eastern Conference, but maintaining that success won’t be easy. The Pistons finished the preseason 3-1, providing a positive start. John Collins and Isaiah Joe provide additional scoring options, but Detroit will need more production from its remaining core to keep pace in an improved conference.
9. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers lost LeBron James but improved. Los Angeles made several key acquisitions, Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, and Matisse Thybulle, addressing several areas of need. The Lakers finished the preseason 2-3, though their new additions need time to establish chemistry. The improvements to the roster give Los Angeles a chance to remain in the championship conversation.
8. Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland enters the season with a familiar core and a few important additions, including Peyton Watson and second-round pick Meleek Thomas. After trading for James Harden last season, Cleveland is under pressure to make a deep playoff run. With a talented roster already in place, another early postseason exit would be a disappointment.
7. Boston Celtics
Boston finished the preseason 4-0, one of the few teams to go undefeated, offering an encouraging start to a season with high expectations. With Jayson Tatum returning and Mitchell Robinson filling their hole at Center, the Celtics have enough talent to outperform expectations.
6. Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota addressed two major needs by bringing in LaMelo Ball and Jonathan Kuminga. Ball gives the Timberwolves another creator alongside Anthony Edwards, while Kuminga adds athleticism and scoring on the wing. Minnesota finished the preseason 3-3, but the team has already built chemistry quickly. If everything clicks, the Timberwolves could have one of the most dangerous offenses in the Western Conference.
Top 5
5. Denver Nuggets
Nikola Jokic remains one of the best players in the world, giving Denver a chance to compete with anyone. Denver finished the preseason 3-2, but its potential rests on the strength of its roster rather than its record. With a stronger supporting cast around Jokic, the Nuggets could have their best roster since winning the championship in 2023.
4. Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers acquired Jaylen Brown and signed LeBron James, giving them a star-studded lineup with championship aspirations. Philadelphia finished the preseason 1-3, which shouldn’t overshadow the team’s potential. The challenge will be building chemistry between its new additions, but the 76ers have the talent to make a serious run at their first NBA title since 1983.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder finished the preseason 1-4, but their results are less important than the health of their core. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren give Oklahoma City the talent to compete with anyone. If they can stay healthy, the Thunder have everything they need to make another deep playoff run.
2. San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs finished the preseason 2-3, but another year of experience should matter more than a handful of exhibition losses. Victor Wembanyama leads the way, while the addition of veteran Tobias Harris provides leadership and depth. San Antonio has the talent to challenge for the championship as it looks to finish what it started last season.
1. New York Knicks
New York finished the preseason 1-4, but those results aren’t enough to erase what the Knicks accomplished last season. Their biggest change was replacing Mitchell Robinson with Andre Drummond, keeping a strong presence in the paint. Coming off a championship run, the Knicks have the experience and chemistry to replicate last season.
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