NBA Power Rankings: Stock Up, Stock Down for All 30 Teams Heading into Season

Let's be honest: The NBA preseason, just like every other preseason in professional sports, is about as valuable as a turtleneck on a hot summer day.

It doesn't give us an accurate picture of where teams will be in the regular season because players' minutes are controlled and the outcome of games don't count toward the standings. 

The preseason is a time when non-star players can make a name for themselves and garner some serious attention amongst the ranks of the NBA—sending their stock soaring.

With that in mind, it's time for an NBA power ranking as the preseason truly gets under way. 

30. Orlando Magic

There's just no way around the fact that the 2012-13 season is going to be a train wreck for the Magic.

The new talent they got in return for Dwight Howard isn't terrible, but Arron Afflalo, Al Harrington, Gustavo Ayon and Maurice Harkless aren't exactly franchise saviors. 

A lack of chemistry is going to hold them back this season, and without a true leader on the roster, winning games is going to be a rare feat. 

A 20-win season would be a success for the Magic this year, but even that is a stretch. Magic fans need to brace themselves for a rough year. 

Stock: Down 

29. Charlotte Bobcats

The Bobcats managed to defeat the Washington Wizards in their first preseason game of the year—a win that should be cherished considering how hard it was to get in the victory column last season.

But despite a historically bad effort in the lockout-shortened season, the Bobcats are moving in the right direction. They have some good young talent to build around, and finally have a few veteran players to help mold that talent.

A lack of defense will be the Bobcats' Achilles heel this season much like it was last year, as they simply don't have enough offense to overcome their ineptitude on that end of the court. 

Progress will be made, but it's going to be another season full of growing pains for a young Charlotte squad looking to develop into a playoff contender somewhere down the road. 

Stock: Slightly up

28. Sacramento Kings

The Kings had the NBA's worst defense last season, giving up an average of 104.4 points per game. That's the exact reason why they are going to struggle again this year.

Rookie Thomas Robinson will certainly add some defensive focus to the team, but he can't do it alone.

The Kings need to change the culture of their franchise before they become a contender in the Western Conference. They can't rely on potential anymore—that is, unless they are okay with mediocrity.

They have the talent they need to compete in the West. Now it's time to mold that talent into a cohesive unit that plays like a team. That won't happen this season, but the future is bright in Sacramento. 

Stock: Stagnant

27. Detroit Pistons

Detroit is a team with some serious potential. Unfortunately, they aren't going to live up to it this season.

Corey Maggette brings an added level of intensity to both sides of the ball, and having Andre Drummond in the middle will add frontcourt depth. That being said, the Pistons are still well short of the talent necessary to compete in the East.

In a year or two, with an improved roster centered around Brandon Knight and Greg Monroe, the Pistons will be a team to watch out for. 

In the short team, however, the Pistons are going to struggle to remain relevant. They simply don't have enough experience.

Stock: Stagnant

26. Washington Wizards

The Washington Wizards have talent—there's no doubt about that. The only question is if the talent they have can consistently put together efficient performances against the top talent in the NBA.

With Nene Hilario and Emeka Okafor in the paint, and John Wall and Bradley Beal on the perimeter, the new-look Wizards are a talented team on paper. But putting it all together on the court could prove to be a challenge for a team that has lacked an identity for quite some time. 

If Washington's new additions help the team establish a cohesiveness, the Wizards can be much better than they were last year. But I don't see that happening.  

Stock: Stagnant 

25. Houston Rockets

You can't take too much out of the Rockets' solid start to the 2012-13 preseason. It is the preseason, after all. Still, they are going to be a better team this year than some might think. 

The hodgepodge of talent the Rockets have is going to be exciting to watch. The biggest question is how well they will play together over the span of an entire season.

According to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle, the Rockets' biggest star, point guard Jeremy Lin, isn't back at 100 percent, and that could hold back the team's development going forward. 

To be a dominant team in the West, the Rockets need a leader, and Lin can't be that for the Rockets until he is fully healthy. 

Stock: Slightly Up 

24. Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns are a team with a lot of potential.

From Luis Scola to Goran Dragic to Michael Beasley, the Suns have a lot of players who have had individual success. These players just need to figure out how to turn that individual success into team success. 

If the Suns are going to surprise people and be a competitor in the West, they are going to have to do it in the paint and run their offense through Scola and Marcin Gortat.

With Dragic running the point and creating opportunities for his teammates, the Suns will be an exciting team to watch. Unfortunately, excitement doesn't always equal success, and that will be the case for the Suns this season.

Stock: Down 

23. Toronto Raptors

A lot of experts are high on the Raptors because they acquired Kyle Lowry and Landry Fields this offseason. While those players certainly won't hurt the Raptors' chances of competing in the Eastern Conference this season, they won't exactly help either.

Let's not forget just how bad the Raptors were on offense last season. They put up a whopping 90.7 points per game, which ranked 28th overall in the NBA.

Lowry, Fields and draft pick Terrence Ross are sure to improve the team's scoring, but it's foolish to think that those players can transform the Raptors' franchise into an offensive juggernaut overnight.

The Raptors will teeter on the edge of being a successful team this season, but they will ultimately fall back into their losing ways, ensuring themselves at least one more season in the NBA draft lottery. 

Stock: Stagnant 

22. Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers will be a better team this year than they were last year, and they'll have Damian Lillard to thank for that.

Lillard is going to bring explosive production to the point-guard position, and he's also going to add a deep threat that the Blazers didn't have last year.

The 2012-13 season for the Blazers is going to show the NBA world just how dangerous of a team they will become in a few years once they establish chemistry among their players and have Lillard develop into their franchise player.

A large part of the Blazers' 2012-13 campaign is going to be how quickly Meyers Leonard can develop a legitimate offensive skill set. In transition he will be great, but that's not going to be enough for the Blazers.

Leonard's development and transition will hold the Blazers back this year, but he'll be an integral part of their development into a legitimate title contender in the Western Conference. 

Stock: Way Up 

21. New Orleans Hornets

The New Orleans Hornets' season is going to be a roller coaster.

It will be full of glimpses of the Hornets' young potential, but it will also be full of moments that will leave fans longing for more from their talented roster.

For the Hornets to be successful this season they'll need both Austin Rivers and Anthony Davis to develop and mature rather quickly. Davis will have no problem doing that because of his time with Team USA this summer. But Rivers' development will be a different story.

A lack of depth out on the wing is going to hold the Hornets back this season, but their 2012-13 campaign will be a step in the right direction and a major upgrade from last year's abysmal performance. 

Stock: Up 

20. Utah Jazz

The Jazz made the Western Conference playoffs last season, only to be swept by the San Antonio Spurs.

It was clear that the Jazz weren't ready to compete at the next level, and that isn't going to change during the 2012-13 season. Losing Devin Harris and adding Mo Williams isn't exactly an upgrade. It's a lateral move that isn't going to help the Jazz take a step forward. 

A lack of efficient point guard play is going to hurt the Jazz this year. Williams is going to put up too many shots, which means less open looks for other players on the roster.

The Jazz have one of the most talented frontcourts in the game with Al Jefferson, Derrick Favors and Paul Millsap, but their depth in the frontcourt has to be complemented by consistent and efficient backcourt play. That's just not going to happen with Williams running the point. 

Stock: Down 

19. Cleveland Cavaliers

Cleveland is a very young team. That youth is certainly a positive, but it's also the main reason why, while they'll improve next year, they won't reach the playoffs.

The Cavaliers will be on the outside looking in come playoff time, and it's going to be in large part due to a lack of experience and the time it's going to take to build chemistry with new players Dion Waiters and Tyler Zeller.

Without Antawn Jamison and his 17.2 points and 6.3 rebounds per game averages, the Cavaliers are going to be looking for a leader, both on the court and in the locker room.

Not having a true leader will hold the Cavaliers back next year. But it will also give Kyrie Irving the chance he needs to truly take over the team. That's good news for the Cavaliers' future, but not necessarily good news for the 2012-13 season—especially when it comes to making a playoff appearance. 

Stock: Slightly Up 

18. Milwaukee Bucks

Having the backcourt tandem of Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings is going to be a double-edged sword for the Bucks this season.

There will be times when both players are firing on all cylinders, putting up 50-plus points per game between themselves. But more often than not, the players are going to struggle to find ways to keep the other involved while also utilizing their isolation talents.

Jennings and Ellis are mirror images of each other, and while that sounds great in theory, making it work on the court is a whole different story.

Making sure to keep the frontcourt talent, like Ersan Ilyasova and Drew Gooden, involved is going to be a challenge with Jennings and Ellis running the point and taking up a majority of the offensive focus. A tandem of Ellisa and Jennings can work, but it's going to take more time and better coaching to do that. 

Just like last year, the Bucks will be so close, yet so far away. 

Stock: Stagnant 

17. Minnesota Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves' 2012-13 season is going to ride on the health of two sets of knees that belong to star point guard Ricky Rubio and potential pick-up-of-the-year Brandon Roy.

Once Rubio comes back, if he and Roy can stay healthy and develop some chemistry together, the T'Wolves will be a force to be reckoned with in the Western Conference. If that doesn't happen, it's going to be another long season.

Kevin Love, Nikola Pekovic and Andrei Kirilenko are going to solidify their frontcourt. It's just up to Rubio and Roy to establish and maintain a high level of efficient production in their backcourt.

Without Rubio, the focus will be on J.J. Barea, and if he can average near last year's marks of 11.3 points and 5.7 assists per game, the T'Wolves will have a solid chance at sneaking into the back end of the Western Conference playoff picture. That would be a major step forward for the T'Wolves' franchise. 

Stock: Way Up 

16. Chicago Bulls

You read that correctly. The Chicago Bulls aren't in the top 10 of the NBA power rankings, and there's a valid reason why.

The reason is because there is a possibility that Derrick Rose could see zero minutes this season for the Chicago Bulls—as reported by the Chicago Sun Times.

While it's not guaranteed that Rose will sit out the season,  it's a realistic possibility, and there is no way the Bulls will retain their typical level of dominance without him. Their point guard by committee, featuring Kirk Hinrich, Marquis Teague and Nate Robinson, isn't anywhere close to the level of play that Rose would bring to the court, and Bulls fans will see that early on during the 2012-13 season.

They also failed to find an answer at the shooting guard position this offseason—no, Marco Belinelli and his 41.7 percent average doesn't count—and that's going to take it's toll on the rest of the Bulls' roster this season.  Without Rose, the Bulls will struggle, and that means a major step back this season. 

Stock: Down 

15. Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors have put together quite a roster heading into the 2012-13 season.

In their backcourt they have Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Brandon Rush and Jarrett Jack. They have Harrison Barnes and Richard Jefferson on the wing, and they've got David Lee and Andrew Bogut holding down the paint.

Yep, that's a pretty formidable roster—at least on the offensive side of the ball. It's clear, though, that Bogut is trying to change the culture in Golden State by "bringing badness back to the Bay"—as reported by NBA.com.

If Bogut can stay healthy and hold true to his promise of toughness for the Warriors, Golden State can be a dangerous team next year. Making a playoff appearance this season isn't out of the question for the Warriors. But it all depends on how healthy players like Curry and Bogut can be over the span of the season. 

Stock: Way Up 

14. Atlanta Hawks

Joe Johnson leaving Atlanta is going to hurt the Hawks a lot. Sure, Johnson never lived up to his massive $19-plus million contract, but losing his 18.8 points, 3.9 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game will have a major impact next season.

Luckily, the Hawks have Lou Williams and Devin Harris to make up for that lost production, and they are more than capable of doing just that. 

The success of the Hawks' backcourt is going to define their 2012-13 campaign. With Harris trying to show that he's still capable of being an All-Star player and Williams looking to assert himself as a legitimate starting shooting guard in the NBA, both players should have all the motivation they need to help the Hawks compete in the East.

Not to mention Josh Smith is going to be a free agent at the end of the season. That means "J-smoove" is going to be putting up impressive numbers to prove that he's deserving of a massive contract this offseason. It's a perfect storm for another successful season for the Hawks. 

Stock: Stagnant  

13. Dallas Mavericks

Dallas saved their offseason by signing Chris Kaman, O.J. Mayo and Elton Brand and trading for Darren Collison.

It will certainly take time for the Mavericks' roster to mesh together, but with Dirk Nowitzki leading the way that process shouldn't be that difficult.

Some may argue that the Mavs look better on paper than they will on the court—because of the age of their most talented players—but Rick Carlisle made an older roster work back in 2010, and I'd put some money on him being able to do it again.

If Mayo takes advantage of the opportunity he has to prove to the Mavs' front office that he's a true franchise player, the Mavs could make some serious noise in the West next year. If Mayo doesn't step up his game, the Mavs will have to rely on guys like Shawn Marion and Vince Carter to have one more year of efficient production—which might be asking too much from the aging stars. 

Stock: Slightly Up 

12. Brooklyn Nets

A lot of people want to crown the Brooklyn Nets as the second best team in the Eastern Conference, but that's not going to happen here because they've yet to prove that their foundational talent can truly play together.

There's no doubt that the Nets have one of the most formidable starting fives in the game, with Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Gerald Wallace, Kris Humphries and Brook Lopez.

The question, though, is just how deep of a team the Nets are. With MarShon Brooks as the only real scoring threat coming off the bench, it's safe to say that Nets' second unit could be their downfall next season.

A lack of depth and experience together is why the Nets aren't soaring in these power rankings. 

Stock: Down 

11. Memphis Grizzlies

Is it possible that the Grizzlies are better off without O.J. Mayo in their rotation? Absolutely.

The 2012-13 season is Mike Conley and Rudy Gay's chance to truly solidify themselves as an elite tandem in the NBA, and there's no one keeping them from doing just that.

In addition to Gay and Conley, the Grizzlies will be hoping that Josh Selby can carry over his impressive summer league performance into the regular season and become a consistent shooting guard option.

There's no doubt that Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol will hold down the paint for the Grizzlies. Their success is going to come down to backcourt, bench production, and with Selby, Jerryd Bayless and Tony Wroten, the Grizzlies are in a great place heading into the 2012-13 season. 

Stock: Stagnant 

10. Indiana Pacers

Adding D.J. Augustin isn't exactly the kind of offseason signing that the Indiana Pacers needed to make to remain in top of the Eastern Conference.

The Pacers are putting a lot of stake in guys like Paul George and George Hill for their success this season. Both players are capable of being quality contributors to the Pacers, but by themselves they won't be able to solidify their backcourt, and that's going to mean a step back this year.

A lot of pressure will be on Roy Hibbert and his continued development, and if his 2012 postseason performance against the Heat was any indicator of the direction he's going, the Pacers should be a little bit worried.

Being a Top 10 team in the NBA isn't bad, but it's a step back for the Pacers. They won't reach that next level until they add more depth to their roster or have Danny Granger become the franchise player and leader they need him to be.

Stock: Down 

9. Philadelphia 76ers

Losing Andre Iguodala is going to hurt the Philadelphia 76ers more than they want to admit it. Not only was he a leader for the team, he was also one of the best defenders in the game.

That loss of defensive focus will impact the 76ers, but head coach Doug Collins will make do with the talent he has—especially since that talent includes Andrew Bynum.

With a legitimate center for the first time in a few years, the 76ers' offensive sets will look different than they have in the past, and that's great news for Philadelphia. With a dominant force in the paint, other players, like Jrue Holiday and Evan Turner, will be able to attack the game in a different way.

Defenses will have to shift their focus to the paint against the 76ers, and it's going to be interesting to see how that impacts other players like Spencer Hawes, Lavoy Allen and Thaddeus Young. The 76ers will be a good team this year because they have top-notch talent, and, more importantly, they have a great motivator, mentor and head coach in Doug Collins. 

Stock: Way Up 

8. L.A. Clippers

After a disappointing exit in the Western Conference playoffs last year, the Clippers have reloaded, and they're more dangerous than ever.

With Blake Griffin looking like he's back to 100-percent health and adding veteran talent like Jamal Crawford, Matt Barnes, Grant Hill and Lamar Odom, and retaining Chauncey Billups, the Clippers are in a great place heading into the 2012-13 season.

There is a lot of pressure on Vinny Del Negro to create an offensive set that complements the talents of all his players, but in reality, all he needs to do is let Chris Paul run the show—making him look like a coach-of-the-year candidate in the process.

If the Clippers can find a consistent eight-man rotation that works on both sides of the ball, they will be a dangerous team in the West. They have the talent and depth to compete with any team in the NBA, and that is exactly what they will do. 

Stock: Stagnant 

7. San Antonio Spurs

Another year, another talented and consistent San Antonio Spurs team.

While they didn't make any major offseason acquisitions, aside from re-signing Tim Duncan, the Spurs will still be one of the best teams in the Western Conference.

They are defined by discipline, fundamental focus on both sides of the ball and a high level of chemistry. With Gregg Popovich leading them, there's no way the Spurs won't be a Top Four team in the West at the end of the 2012-13 regular season.

The only question is just how good the Spurs' second unit can be this season. If their bench can bring efficient production to the court, the Spurs could contend for the Western Conference title. If not, the Spurs won't have enough production across the board to get past teams like the Lakers, Nuggets and Thunder in the West. 

Stock: Stagnant 

6. New York Knicks

It's put up or shut up time for the New York Knicks this season.

Letting Jeremy Lin go this offseason put the responsibility to win squarely on Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire's shoulders. Those players absolutely must develop some chemistry between each other.

Having the veteran Jason Kidd and Raymond Felton controlling the offense will certainly help build that chemistry, but it's up to 'Melo and Amar'e to lead the Knicks to that next level of greatness that has eluded them for so long.

The Knicks have the pieces in place they need to be the best team in the East. They have significant size in the paint, and they have a ridiculous level of depth on their roster. If the Knicks can't put together a winning season that ends with a top spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs, the Knicks will certainly have to unload their roster and start rebuilding.

They just have too much talent to let that happen, though. 

Stock: Way Up 

5. Boston Celtics

The Celtics started off their 2012-13 preseason with an underwhelming loss to Istanbul, but luckily preseason doesn't matter all that much. 

The Celtics are going to be one of the Top Five teams in the NBA this season, there's just no way around it. With Kevin Garnett and Brandon Bass holding down the paint and Rondo running the show they are going to be a hard team to match up against.

With the resurgence of Jeff Green and solid play at the shooting guard position by Jason Terry and Courtney Lee, the Celtics are going to be a better team this year than last. They have more depth, and they have more prolific rotations at their disposal.

The sky is the limit for the Celtics this season. Staying healthy and finding the rotation that maximizes their talent is going to be key to hanging with the best team in the East—the Miami Heat. 

Stock: Slightly Up 

4. L.A. Lakers

The Lakers definitely have the most talented starting lineup in the game. With Steve Nash, Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, Metta World Peace and Pau Gasol, the possibilities are endless for the Lakers this season.

The reason why they aren't higher on this list, though, is because of their age and the health of Howard's back.

Over the span of an 82-game season, we could see the age of the Lakers hold them back a bit, especially against the younger teams in the West, like the Thunder and the Nuggets.

Just like we saw last season in the playoffs, youth and transition offense are going to be what give the Lakers their most trouble this season. The Lakers can overcome both, though; they just need to be the team that establishes the pace of the game when they play younger, more athletic teams in the NBA. 

Stock: Slightly Up 

3. Denver Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets are going to be one of the best teams in the West, and that's saying something when you look at the talent across the board in that conference.

Adding Andre Iguodala is exactly what the Nuggets needed, and his fast-paced style of game fits extremely well into their transition offense.

The defensive focus and intensity that he brings to the team will seriously help a Nuggets team who gave up 101.2 points per game last season—which was the second most in the NBA.

If Iguodala can transform the Nuggets into a better defensive team, they'll be one of the most well-balanced teams in the NBA. They have the offense they need to compete with anyone, now they just need their defense to back it up. Don't be shocked when the Nuggets are playing in the Western Conference finals instead of either the Lakers or Thunder. 

Stock: Way Up 

2. Oklahoma City Thunder

Much like the San Antonio Spurs, the Oklahoma City Thunder didn't make any major offseason acquisitions. That's okay, though, because the talent they had last year is going to be just as good this season.

If Perry Jones III can become a solid contributor to the Thunder's offense, a lot of pressure will be taken off of James Harden, and it would also help the Thunder become a deeper team—which is something they must do this year.

The biggest question for the Thunder is going to be how well the Thunder's frontcourt can come together this season.

Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins have to be more productive on both sides of the ball if the Thunder want to repeat as Western Conference champions, especially now that Dwight Howard is wearing the gold and purple. 

Stock: Stagnant 

1. Miami Heat

When your team's biggest offseason complaint is that they are "too open" beyond the arc—as reported by Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel—you know you're going to have a good season.

The Miami Heat are going to have to compete with the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets for the top spot in the East, but with LeBron James running the show, that shouldn't be an issue.

The biggest question for the Heat this season is going to be the continued health of Dwyane Wade's knees.  The Heat need Wade to be healthy come time for the playoffs, and that will mean monitoring his minutes during the regular season. 

The Heat have their sights clearly set on a repeat this season, and with LeBron James adding the skyhook to his arsenal of offensive moves—as reported by Michael Wallace of ESPN—they are going to be a hard team to stop.

Stock: Way Up