NBA Power Rankings: Teams That Must Make Moves to Rise in Rankings
There's still time for teams that haven't lived up to expectations this season to make moves to get back on the right track before the playoffs roll around. If they decide to stand pat, however, they will be relegated to their disappointing fate.
Here are three teams that will rise back up the rankings with solid moves before the deadline. A full rankings table is also below.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers roster has become stale. Instead of having championship intensity like previous seasons, several players just seem to be going through the motions under new coach Mike Brown. A shake-up is clearly needed to get things moving again.
Los Angeles' biggest need is at point guard. Both Derek Fisher and Steve Blake have failed to provide the necessary offensive firepower when they’re on the court, so the Lakers will need to sacrifice some of their depth in the post to bring in a more effective player to lead the offense.
That would take a lot of pressure off Kobe Bryant and help the Lakers become a threat in the Western Conference once again.
Memphis Grizzlies
After making a surprising run past the San Antonio Spurs in last year's playoffs, the Grizzlies entered this season as a sleeper team. They've been plagued by inconsistency, however, especially on the offensive end of the floor.
Getting Zach Randolph will obviously help, but to reach their maximum potential, the Grizzlies could really use another perimeter scoring threat. The more they are able to stretch the floor, the better off they'll be come playoff time.
There should be no shortage of depth players available at the deadline with several teams already falling out of contention. That leaves no excuse for failing to make a move.
Denver Nuggets
Denver surged after trading Carmelo Anthony last season, but it appears that momentum didn't carry over following the lockout. The Nuggets currently sit on the Western Conference playoff fringe with the second half set to begin.
The biggest problem has been defense. They rank 29th in points allowed per game, which offsets the team's second-ranked offense. So a trade for a player with a track record of being a shutdown performer on the defensive end is in order.
It doesn't have to be a superstar, just a reliable veteran who is willing to match up with the opposing team's top scorer to keep him in check. That would go a long way in ensuring Denver's ticket to the postseason.
| 1. Miami Heat | |
| 2. Chicago Bulls | |
| 3. Oklahoma City Thunder | |
| 4. San Antonio Spurs | |
| 5. Indiana Pacers | |
| 6. Los Angeles Clippers | |
| 7. Dallas Mavericks | |
| 8. Orlando Magic | |
| 9. Houston Rockets | |
| 10. Portland Trail Blazers | |
| 11. Philadelphia 76ers | |
| 12. Los Angeles Lakers | |
| 13. Atlanta Hawks | |
| 14. Memphis Grizzlies | |
| 15. Denver Nuggets | |
| 16. Minnesota Timberwolves | |
| 17. New York Knicks | |
| 18. Golden State Warriors | |
| 19. Boston Celtics | |
| 20. Utah Jazz | |
| 21. Phoenix Suns | |
| 22. Milwaukee Bucks | |
| 23. Cleveland Cavaliers | |
| 24. Toronto Raptors | |
| 25. Sacramento Kings | |
| 26. Detroit Pistons | |
| 27. New Orleans Hornets | |
| 28. New Jersey Nets | |
| 29. Washington Wizards | |
| 30. Charlotte Bobcats |
