Final NBA Power Rankings and Every Team's 2024-25 MVP
After each of the league's 30 teams played their 82nd game on Sunday, the 2024-25 NBA regular season is officially done.
It's been a wild ride, one that included an all-time great MVP race, the most incomprehensible trade in league history, three 60-win teams and plenty of ups and downs for just about everyone (with the exception of the Oklahoma City Thunder) in our weekly power rankings.
Now, on the eve of the postseason, we'll take one last look at the league through this lens. And we'll be guided, as always, by team and individual numbers, recent performance, championship chances and plenty of subjectivity.
30. Utah Jazz (17-65)
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Previous Rank: 30
Net Rating: -9.2
After overachieving and ultimately costing themselves in the draft lottery in each of their first two post-Donovan Mitchell-and-Rudy Gobert seasons, the Utah Jazz finally aced the assignment in 2024-25.
It was clear from the very outset that Utah was chasing ping pong balls. In March, they were even fined for so consistently resting veterans such as Lauri Markkanen.
If they wind up with the No. 1 pick and add Cooper Flagg to a core that doesn't really have a cornerstone talent, it will have all been worth it. Just giving themselves the chance was the right approach to this season.
Team MVP: Walker Kessler
We could have gotten creative with the tanking teams and said their MVPs were the ones who generated the most losses, but we'll set the precedent right now: Each of the following "Team MVPs" you're about to see are the players who generated the most positive value for their organizations this season.
29. Charlotte Hornets (19-63)
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Previous Rank: 29
Net Rating: -9.1
Entering this season, there may have been a faint glimmer of hope for the Charlotte Hornets to at least compete for a play-in spot.
On paper, a playmaker-wing-big trio of LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller and Mark Williams makes sense. Their games would seem to complement each other well.
But, at just 47, Ball led that group in games played. The three shared the floor for a grand total of 211 possessions, around the equivalent of two full games.
So, it's back to the lottery with little to no more assurance about this core's long-term viability. Though that result, at least relative to any other way this season could have played out, is probably fine.
Charlotte still needs another star, preferably one who can stay on the floor. And the draft is the most accessible way to find that player.
Team MVP: LaMelo Ball
Even with all the injury-induced absences, LaMelo Ball remains, quite clearly, this team's best and most valuable player.
He averaged 25.2 points, 7.4 assists and 3.8 threes. And though his own shot selection left plenty to be desired, having him on the floor was a clear plus. Charlotte's net rating, offensive rating and effective field-goal percentage all skyrocketed when he was in the game.
28. Washington Wizards (18-64)
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Previous Rank: 28
Net Rating: -12.2
Though they finished with the league's worst net rating, the Washington Wizards quietly got a bit more competitive after the All-Star break.
And while veteran additions such as Khris Middleton and Marcus Smart helped a bit on that front, some of the prospects started to stand out, too.
Over that portion of the season, Bilal Coulibaly, Tristan Vukcevic, Bub Carrington, Kyshawn George and AJ Johnson, who came over in the Kyle Kuzma trade, all averaged double figures.
All of the above finding the ability to score a bit is nice, but it's Alex Sarr's breakout that's most encouraging.
His shooting percentages are still dreadful, but since the break, he's put up 15.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.8 threes and 1.4 blocks in under 30 minutes per game.
Adding a star or fringe star to this group through the loaded 2025 draft could make this one of the more intriguing young cores in the league.
Team MVP: Jordan Poole
Jordan Poole was flat-out bad during his first season with the Wizards in 2023-24, but he bounced all the way back this season, averaging a career-high 20.5 points and finishing with above-average marks in both effective field-goal percentage and true shooting percentage.
And while the rest of the roster combined for an abysmal minus-14.6 wins over replacement player (value over replacement player times 2.7), he had a respectable 3.2.
27. Philadelphia 76ers (24-58)
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Previous Rank: 27
Net Rating: -6.3
The Philadelphia 76ers' trainwreck of a 2024-25 campaign is over, with Joel Embiid appearing in just 19 games and Paul George suiting up for 41.
And though there was certainly some short-term pain from this season, it at least gives Philly a chance to keep its 2025 first-round pick.
If it lands outside the top six in the lottery, it goes to the Oklahoma City Thunder. If the drawing goes chalk, the Sixers will get to make a selection in this loaded class.
And adding a potential star to 24-year-old Tyrese Maxey could offset a lot of the misery that came from (and might continue to come from) Embiid and George's health and contract situations.
Team MVP: Tyrese Maxey
Maxey also failed to reach the 65-game threshold necessary for awards consideration, but he did all he could to keep Philadelphia relevant when he was available.
He put up a career-high 26.3 points, 6.1 assists and 3.1 threes. And while his efficiency suffered without Embiid around to attract defensive attention, this season showed Maxey at least has the potential to be an alpha scorer.
26. New Orleans Pelicans (21-61)
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Previous Rank: 26
Net Rating: -9.4
This New Orleans Pelicans' season was completely upended by injuries. And that's not just a comment on the oft-unavailable Zion Williamson.
Along with Brandon Ingram (now with the Toronto Raptors), Trey Murphy III, CJ McCollum, Dejounte Murray and Herbert Jones, Zion was one of six players who figured to be key cogs but failed to reach 60 games played.
So, it's back to the lottery for a New Orleans squad that might have to seriously consider creating its post-Zion era.
The 24-year-old has averaged fewer than 40 appearances per season as a Pelican. And a core with this summer's pick, Yves Missi (one of 2024-25's bright spots), Murphy and whatever the team might get for Zion seems more reliable than the current one, even as a hypothetical.
Team MVP: Zion Williamson
Of course, that pivot would certainly call for more short-term pain. Even with only 30 appearances to his name, Williamson led the Pelicans in 2024-25 wins over replacement player.
He averaged 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.9 blocks in 28.6 minutes. And when he was on the floor, New Orleans had the point differential of a near-.500 team.
25. Brooklyn Nets (26-56)
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Previous Rank: 25
Net Rating: -7.3
After an offseason trade to reacquire control of their 2025 first-round draft pick, it seemed pretty obvious the Brooklyn Nets might lean into rebuilding (and losing) this season.
And though there were some stretches of unexpected competitiveness, they generally took care of their lottery odds and now enter this summer with a 9.0 percent chance at the top overall pick.
They, like everyone else detailed to this point, could certainly use the talent. Right now, the roster is devoid of that cornerstone-level player.
Team MVP: Cameron Johnson
Cameron Johnson, who just turned 29 in March, had his official breakout season with the Nets, putting up career highs in points (18.8), assists (3.4) and threes (2.8) per game, while shooting 39.0 percent from deep.
If Brooklyn wants to add to its trove of picks and young talent this offseason, some team might be willing to offer them both for Johnson's steady shooting, length on defense and burgeoning playmaking.
24. Toronto Raptors (30-52)
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Previous Rank: 24
Net Rating: -4.1
For much of the season, it felt like we just needed to see Toronto's core pieces together before we could make any real judgments about the team.
But once RJ Barrett, Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley were all healthy at the same time, the results weren't particularly intriguing. In fact, they were just bad.
Toronto was minus-11.7 points per 100 possessions when those three shared the floor this season. And the recently acquired (and extended) Brandon Ingram (who's yet to play a single game as a Raptor) isn't fixing that by himself.
All four of those players are better with the ball in their hands. At least three (Barnes, Barrett and Ingram) don't command a ton of attention at the three-point line.
And that entire core (plus Jakob Poeltl) is locked in for next season. Toronto fans could be in for another year of mediocrity.
Team MVP: Scottie Barnes
The one thing that could push this group to another level is a true star-level breakout for Scottie Barnes.
His shooting fell off a cliff this season, but he's still a plus playmaker and defender for his position. This season, he averaged 19.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.0 blocks.
And if he can just figure out how to score with anything close to league-average efficiency, it'll be a lot easier to feel optimistic about this organization's future.
23. San Antonio Spurs (34-48)
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Previous Rank: 23
Net Rating: -2.8
Even before the De'Aaron Fox trade, it looked like the San Antonio Spurs would have a chance to compete for a spot in the play-in tournament. Once they added him to Victor Wembanyama, it felt like those chances ballooned.
But the Spurs' season took a dramatic turn coming out of the All-Star break, when we learned about a diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis in Wemby's shoulder that ended his campaign.
San Antonio had a point differential around that of a 47-win team when the big man was on the floor, but he hasn't been able to play since February. And the Spurs unsurprisingly slid down the standings and into the lottery.
Now, though the odds aren't great, San Antonio at least has a shot of adding Flagg, Ace Bailey or Dylan Harper to a roster that already has Fox and Wembanyama. And if everyone can stay healthy in 2025-26, the Spurs could be back in the playoffs.
Team MVP: Victor Wembanyama
Despite appearing in just 46 games, Wembanyama finished with a league-leading 176 blocks, a total that triggers a little-known exception that should qualify him for the blocks-per-game leaderboard and give him that crown.
And in less than two seasons, Wemby has become far more than just a shot-blocker, too.
In his truncated 2024-25, he averaged 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.8 blocks, 3.7 assists, 3.1 threes and 1.1 steals.
You've already heard this a time or two before, but we've never seen anything like this.
22. Phoenix Suns (36-46)
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Previous Rank: 22
Net Rating: -3.0
The Phoenix Suns have a strong argument to be considered the most disappointing team in the NBA.
They are, by far, the most expensive team in the league (when you include luxury-tax payments). They have three stars on max deals in Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. And after they were eliminated from the 2024 playoffs, their owner proudly claimed they'd be fine this season.
"Ask the other 29 GMs—26 of them would trade their whole team for our whole team and our draft picks and everything as is," Mat Ishbia told reporters last May. "The house is not on fire. We're in a great position. It's not hard to fix. It's not like we're like, 'Hey, we don't have enough talent to win a championship.' We have enough talent to win a championship."
Eleven months later, it's pretty clear they didn't have enough talent to win the championship.
The skill sets of KD, Booker and Beal weren't complementary. There wasn't enough help from the supporting cast. The center position was a revolving door of inadequacy. The defense was a full-scale disaster.
Following this mess, a KD trade is almost a foregone conclusion. Local outlets are talking about possibly buying out or stretching Beal's contract (thanks to his no-trade clause). It might even make sense to shop Booker, since the 28-year-old would surely command the biggest return.
This summer, it feels like everything could be on the table.
Team MVP: Kevin Durant
There's a real case to be made for Booker here, based largely on the fact that he faced the music for 76 games. But he also shot just 33.2 percent from deep and didn't look near as engaged defensively as he has in the past.
So, we'll go with KD, whose longevity is reaching remarkable status.
Yes, he missed a significant chunk of time with injuries this season. And that's become relatively common for the second half of his career. But whenever Durant plays, he's still one of the league's best and most prolific bucket-getters.
This season, the 36-year-old averaged 26.6 points, 4.2 assists and 2.6 threes, while shooting 57.4 percent from two-point range and 43.0 percent from three.
21. Portland Trail Blazers (36-46)
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Previous Rank: 21
Net Rating: -2.7
One of the pleasant surprises of the 2024-25 season, the Portland Trail Blazers smashed their preseason over-under of 21.5 wins.
Deni Avdija (20.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 2.2 threes over his last 30 games) has looked like a borderline star-level point forward for a couple months now. Anfernee Simons and Shaedon Sharpe have both shown microwave-scorer ability. And even Scoot Henderson has looked like a positively impactful distributor, at times.
And since this team pretty clearly tried to win throughout the season, it only seems fair for the basketball gods to reward them with a jump in the draft lottery.
We'll soon found out if they agree.
Team MVP: Deni Avdija
That recent hot stretch brought Avdija's season-long averages up to 16.9 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists.
And when he was on the floor this season, the Blazers had a point differential around that of a 37-win team. That might not sound great until you realize they played more like a 27-win team without him.
20. Dallas Mavericks (39-43)
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Previous Rank: 17
Net Rating: -1.3
There's just no way to talk about this Dallas Mavericks season without mentioning the most incomprehensible trade of all time.
They were less than a year removed from a Finals appearance. They had one of the greatest players of all time, a do-everything creator who hadn't even turned 26. They had one of the league's brightest presents and futures.
And then, for no logical reason, they traded Luka Dončić to an in-conference rival for a woefully inadequate return and without negotiating with anyone else.
And to make matters worse, Kyrie Irving tore his ACL shortly thereafter.
Even if he and Anthony Davis were both available, it's hard to imagine this team in the same mix as this season's legitimate contenders. And with both stars already in their 30s, this era can't last long.
In short, the record and net rating above come nowhere near demonstrating how genuinely disastrous this year has been for this organization.
Team MVP: Kyrie Irving
Prior to his season-ending injury, Irving was the only source of consistency in a tumultuous campaign. And he did all he could to keep the team afloat after the earth-shattering Luka trade.
He finished 2024-25 with averages of 24.7 points, 4.6 assists and 2.9 threes, with a 40.1 three-point percentage.
19. Chicago Bulls (39-43)
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Previous Rank: 20
Net Rating: -1.6
The Chicago Bulls' season turned on a dime when they traded their leading scorer in February.
Since Zach LaVine left the roster, Chicago has a winning record and positive net rating.
In the same stretch, 23.1 points and 2.8 threes, Josh Giddey is at 20.2 points, 9.5 rebounds and 8.3 assists and four other rotation players have averaged double figures.
Perhaps most intriguing, rookie Matas Buzelis is breaking out in a way that might change the future outlook for this entire organization.
His fluidity and athleticism are, to put it mildly, unusual for a 6'10" player. His outside shot is starting to fall. And he's even showing some upside as a weakside rim protector.
Over his last 12 games, he's averaged 15.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.5 threes, 1.9 assists and 1.4 blocks.
And even if it's hard to imagine Chicago getting much further than the play-in, it's easy to be more optimistic about the long term.
Team MVP: Josh Giddey
Even though his scoring outburst didn't really start until recently, Giddey has been the Bulls' steadiest producer throughout the season, particularly as a playmaker and table-setter for the rest of the team.
On the season, he was fourth on the team in points per game at 14.6, second in rebounds at 8.1 and first in assists at 7.2.
18. Sacramento Kings (40-42)
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Previous Rank: 18
Net Rating: 0.6
Chicago Bulls fans of the last few years maybe should have been consulted before the Sacramento Kings decided to reunite DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine.
During the three years those two were teammates in Chicago, the team was plus-1.9 points per 100 possessions when DeRozan played without LaVine, plus-0.5 when LaVine played without DeRozan and minus-1.9 when they were together.
And since LaVine joined the Kings ahead of this year's trade deadline, they're minus-4.4 when he and DeRozan are both on the floor.
Sacramento has solidified its position in the bottom half of the play-in tournament, in large part due to that combination.
It's far from the only problem, though. With Domantas Sabonis anchoring the defense, the Kings rank in the bottom half of the league on that end.
And after a promising first two years, Keegan Murray's three-point percentage tumbled to a way-below-average 34.5 in 2024-25.
If, somehow, this team wins two games in a row and sneaks into the playoffs, it will likely get rolled by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round.
From there, the front office will have to seriously consider significant changes this summer.
Team MVP: Domantas Sabonis
Even with the aforementioned defensive concerns that come with Sabonis and his lack of rim protection, Sacramento's point differential is dramatically better when he's on the floor.
His ability to end possessions as a rebounder and find teammates as a passer are the reasons why, and they helped him average 19.1 points, a league-leading 13.9 boards and 6.0 assists.
17. Miami Heat (37-45)
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Previous Rank: 16
Net Rating: 0.4
The Miami Heat's roller coaster of a 2024-25 campaign included the cold war between Jimmy Butler and Pat Riley that culminated in the former being traded, a 4-17 stretch that immediately followed that move and a more stable finish that sealed their spot in the play-in tournament.
Along the way, they got an All-Star campaign from Tyler Herro and are getting the All-Star version of Bam Adebayo in more recent games. The big man is averaging 21.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.4 threes, while shooting 43.5 percent from deep, over his last 35 games.
If those two can get just a little help from veterans such as Andrew Wiggins and Alec Burks and the up-and-coming Kel'el Ware, there's at least a chance they can win two straight and escape the play-in.
Team MVP: Tyler Herro
Through the ups and downs of this campaign, Herro has been a steady source of scoring, outside shooting and playmaking.
He finished with averages of 23.9 points, 5.5 assists and 3.3 threes, while shooting 37.5 percent from deep. And his team's net rating was significantly better when he was on the floor.
16. Atlanta Hawks (40-42)
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Previous Rank: 19
Net Rating: -1.1
On paper, it sure seems like the Atlanta Hawks should have been an above-.500 team.
The roster construction makes sense. Surrounding Trae Young with a bunch of rangy defenders was wise. But a season-ending injury to Jalen Johnson. a learning curve for Zaccharie Risacher and Dyson Daniels' inconsistent jumper kept the Hawks in the middle of the pack.
Still, Young's explosiveness as a passer and scorer should make Atlanta dangerous in the play-in tournament and might even help it sneak a game or two in the first round.
Given the strength of the East's top seeds, it's hard to imagine much more than that.
Team MVP: Trae Young
There's maybe a case for Daniels here. He's one of the most dynamic perimeter defenders in the league and is posting a steal rate the likes of which we haven't seen since the 1980s.
But the straw that stirs this drink remains Young, who averaged 24.2 points and a league-leading 11.6 assists. His two-point and three-point percentages were both below average, but the threat of his shooting and playmaking were big parts of why Atlanta's offensive rating and effective field-goal percentage were much better with him on the floor.
15. Orlando Magic (41-41)
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Previous Rank: 15
Net Rating: -0.2
The Orlando Magic entered the 2024-25 campaign with real expectations of finishing in the East's top four and securing home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
But Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner both tore obliques during the regular season. Knee surgery ended Jalen Suggs' season after just 35 games. Even Moritz Wagner, an underrated bench contributor, was lost for the year after tearing his ACL.
Through it all, and almost regardless of who was available, you could always count on this team simply playing hard and together. And that's a big part of why they finished with the league's second best defense.
It should also get them out of the play-in tournament, though their reward would be a first-round matchup with the Boston Celtics or Cleveland Cavaliers. Either way, they're likely going down early and hoping for a healthier campaign in 2025-26.
Team MVP: Franz Wagner
Given a late-season surge from Banchero, there was some serious consideration given to a co-MVP here, but it just felt like too much of a cop-out.
Impact metrics for these two are strikingly similar. So are their per-game averages and shooting numbers. Wagner averaged 24.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.3 steals with a 55.8 true shooting percentage, while Banchero was at 25.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 0.8 steals with a 55.1 true shooting percentage.
14. Detroit Pistons (44-38)
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Previous Rank: 13
Net Rating: 2.1
What a 2024-25 it's been for the Detroit Pistons.
One year after setting an all-time franchise low with 14 wins, they became the first team in NBA history to triple their win total from the previous season.
And it wasn't any one thing that caused the turnaround.
The front office deserves credit for identifying and signing the right veterans to bolster the rotation and the team's outside shooting. Malik Beasley and Tobias Harris were third and fourth, respectively, on the team in wins over replacement player. And Tim Hardaway Jr. was second on the club in made threes.
J.B. Bickerstaff obviously gets a slice of the credit pie, too. In his first season as Detroit head coach, he clarified the team's rotations and culture. Throughout 2024-25, the Pistons have been one of the grittiest, hardest hitting teams in the league.
And with a more reliable roster and more engaged coaching staff in place, fourth-year playmaker Cade Cunningham was finally able to make a star leap.
Of course, all of that may not result in anything more than Detroit losing in the first round to the New York Knicks. But even if that does happen, it's now clear the Pistons are on an upward trajectory, thanks to one of the quickest and most dramatic organizational course corrections we've ever seen.
Team MVP: Cade Cunningham
In his first year as an All-Star, Cade Cunningham averaged 26.1 points, 9.1 assists, 6.1 rebounds and 2.1 threes.
And his impact as a playmaker has been as substantial as just about anyone's. When the 23-year-old was in the game, Detroit scored 4.9 more points per 100 possessions and had a 3.4-point bump in its effective field-goal percentage.
13. Memphis Grizzlies (48-34)
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Previous Rank: 12
Net Rating: 4.7
The Memphis Grizzlies had an interesting 2024-25 campaign that included the firing of Taylor Jenkins, 31 missed games for Ja Morant, a solid rookie campaign from Zach Edey and big numbers from Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane that may ultimately be overshadowed by team-wide disappointment.
Memphis was plus-9.3 points per 100 possessions when its three stars (Morant, Bane and JJJ) shared the floor, but they only played 590 minutes together as a trio. Add Edey to that mix and the net rating climbs to 17.0, with the minutes falling to 288.
We just didn't see enough of either combination to really trust this team as a title contender coming out of the West, even if it has the raw talent to be just that.
And if that ultimately means a first-round exit, the front office may have to seriously consider drastic moves. Morant has been the face of the franchise for at least four years, and he's seemingly generated as many headlines for suspensions and on-court celebrations as he has for deep playoff runs.
This year could be the one to change that dynamic, but that will be tough mere weeks after a coaching change and in the league's tougher conference.
Team MVP: Jaren Jackson Jr.
Amid another up-and-down season with plenty of hand-wringing over Morant, JJJ was a steady source of production on both ends of the floor.
He averaged 22.2 points, 2.0 threes and 1.5 blocks, while shooting 37.5 percent from deep and posting a 97th percentile estimated plus-minus.
12. Milwaukee Bucks (48-34)
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Previous Rank: 14
Net Rating: 2.4
The Milwaukee Bucks would obviously prefer to have Damian Lillard healthy heading into the playoffs, but they may have stumbled into their recipe for ultimate success without him.
Since Lillard left the rotation with deep vein thrombosis in his calf, Giannis Antetokounmpo has averaged 31.2 points, 11.3 rebounds, and most notably, 8.6 assists.
And for the entire season, Milwaukee is now plus-9.0 points per 100 possessions when Giannis is on the floor without Lillard.
Putting the ball in the big man's hands and surrounding him with as much defense and shooting as possible has potentially changed the team's outlook as we enter the playoffs.
And though there's no guarantee the Bucks even escape the first round, they will have the best individual player in that matchup and could in each one going forward.
That matters in the postseason.
Team MVP: Giannis Antetokounmpo
For the last couple months, Giannis has been talked about as a distant third place in this year's MVP race. And the voting will likely reflect that.
But there's at least a possibility that we've simply grown numb to his gaudy stat lines and metronome-like production.
The nine-time All-Star finished the season with averages of 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds and 6.5 assists. It's his seventh straight campaign with 27-plus points, 11-plus rebounds and five-plus rebounds per game.
No other player has more than two such campaigns, whether they were back-to-back or not.
And of course, that production is driving better results for his team, too.
When Giannis was on the floor this season, his Bucks had a point differential around that of a 57-win team. They had a point differential around that of a 28-win team without him.
11. Indiana Pacers (50-32)
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Previous Rank: 9
Net Rating: 2.1
The Indiana Pacers got off to a 10-15 start, but since then, they've looked an awful lot like the team that made it to the conference finals last year.
Tyrese Haliburton has had an All-NBA caliber campaign as the lead playmaker, Pascal Siakam has been a solid first scoring option, and six other players are averaging at least nine points.
The Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics both being in the East makes another deep playoff run feel less likely for Indiana, but it has the firepower to make either uncomfortable in a seven-game series.
Team MVP: Tyrese Haliburton
His raw averages are down a bit from the last two seasons, because he ceded some of his scoring load to Siakam and some of the playmaking to Andrew Nembhard, but Haliburton still put up 18.6 points and 9.2 assists this season.
And when you add his 38.8 three-point percentage as a third qualifier, there are only eight other seasons in NBA history that cleared all three of those benchmarks.
10. New York Knicks (51-31)
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Previous Rank: 8
Net Rating: 4.0
A late-season injury to Jalen Brunson changed (or at least slowed) the trajectory of the New York Knicks, but the starting lineup they put together last offseason has looked like one that can legitimately challenge for a Finals appearance.
Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns are both good enough to function as No. 1 scoring options on a solid team. Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby have been solid three-and-D wings (though Bridges' three-point percentage is slightly below average). And Josh Hart has quietly become one of the game's best gap fillers.
Hart finished second in the league in total minutes (behind Bridges) and fifth in triple-doubles.
If all five can stay upright through the playoffs, the Knicks are a dark-horse contender.
Team MVP: Karl-Anthony Towns
There's probably still a case for Brunson (who averaged 26.0 points, 7.3 assists and 2.3 threes, while shooting 38.3 percent from deep), but missing 15 games during the stretch run gave the edge to KAT.
In his first season as a Knick, he put up 24.4 points, 12.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.0 threes, while shooting 42.0 percent from three. And his plus-7.2 net rating swing was dramatically better than Brunson's minus-4.2.
9. Golden State Warriors (48-34)
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Previous Rank: 4
Net Rating: 3.2
The Jimmy Butler trade didn't do as much for the Golden State Warriors' future as the Luka deal did for the Lakers', but it may have been every bit as impactful in the short term.
Butler is more dynamic than Andrew Wiggins on the defensive end. And he's in a different universe as a playmaker, something that has taken a ton of pressure off Stephen Curry.
When both are on the floor with Draymond Green, the Warriors are plus-9.5 points per 100 possessions.
And if that trio continues to get solid contributions from a young crew that includes Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga, a fifth ring is within the realm of possibility for Curry.
That realm just feels a bit smaller after Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. Now, Golden State has to escape the play-in to even make the first round.
Team MVP: Stephen Curry
Butler supercharged the outlook of this Warriors team, but its most valuable player from the beginning to end of the season was undoubtedly Curry.
In his age-36 season, the two-time MVP and four-time champion averaged 24.4 points, 6.0 assists and 4.4 threes, while shooting 39.4 percent from deep.
And when he was on the floor, Golden State had a point differential around that of a 55-win team (compared to one around that of a 36-win team when he was off).
8. Denver Nuggets (50-32)
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Previous Rank: 11
Net Rating: 3.8
The Denver Nuggets have the best player in the world in his prime. And he just put up perhaps the best season-long individual stat line in NBA history.
With those two boxes checked, it's hard to imagine how the team came up short of its preseason over-under of 51.5 wins.
But injuries to Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon proved difficult to overcome. And the non-Nikola Jokić minutes were an absolute disaster for the fourth year in a row.
The biggest problem, though, may have been the tension between head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth that seemingly spread through the entire organization.
Both were fired just before the regular season ended, a culmination of a years-long cold war over Booth's philosophy that required the quick and effective development of young players and Malone's desire to deploy veterans around Jokić.
But the damage may have already been done. Turning on a dime and under a new coach on the eve of the playoffs could be impossible, especially in a loaded Western Conference led by the historically stout Oklahoma City Thunder.
On the other hand, this team does have the league's biggest cheat code of a player in Jokić and are already 3-0 under interim coach and longtime offensive coordinator David Adelman.
Team MVP: Nikola Jokić
Even with all the chaos emerging from this team and season, Jokić once again put up otherworldly numbers that won't soon be forgotten.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves (49-33)
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Previous Rank: 10
Net Rating: 5.0
It took a while for the Minnesota Timberwolves to adjust to life with Julius Randle in Karl-Anthony Towns' place, but they have a top-five net rating since the All-Star break, and Randle is the team's season-long leader in assists per game.
His playmaking and ability to break defenses down from the perimeter has taken some pressure off Anthony Edwards. And the rest of a defensively stout roster has figured out how to ably support those two.
Heading into the playoffs, despite a record that fell shy of Minnesota's preseason over-under, it feels like the T-Wolves are about as dangerous as any team in the West.
Team MVP: Anthony Edwards
The basic stat line of 27.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.2 steals make Edwards the easy call for Minnesota's team MVP, but it's not the most notable aspect of his season.
He became the eighth player in league history to average 4.0-plus threes per game, joining Stephen Curry (nine times), Damian Lillard (three times), James Harden (twice), Luka Dončić, LaMelo Ball, Klay Thompson and Buddy Hield.
And that level of outside shooting, in combination with Edwards' slashing ability, has made him a genuine nightmare of a cover for opposing defenses.
6. Houston Rockets (52-30)
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Previous Rank: 5
Net Rating: 4.6
The Houston Rockets' breakout ended with a second-place finish in the loaded Western Conference and was the product of one of the league's truest "by committee" approaches.
Jalen Green led the team with 21.0 points, Alperen Şengün wasn't far behind and six other Rockets were between nine and 15 per game.
More importantly, just about every player in the rotation, just about every night, was a plus on defense.
This unit is dynamic, connected and led by one of the game's best playmakers on that end of the floor.
Thanks to his ability to shut down his individual assignments outside, quickly help teammates who've been beat and end possessions with blocks or steals, Amen Thompson had a 99th percentile defensive estimated plus-minus and barely finished behind Şengün in estimated wins.
Lack of experience may ultimately doom this young team in the playoffs, but this regular season was an announcement that it should be on the title contenders' tier for the foreseeable future.
Team MVP: Alperen Şengün
Sengun's scoring efficiency had a moderately concerning downswing this season, but he still put up a well-rounded 19.1 points, 10.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.1 steals.
And even if his own shooting numbers were down, Houston's were better when he was on the floor.
5. Los Angeles Lakers (50-32)
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Previous Rank: 7
Net Rating: 1.2
The Los Angeles Lakers had already started a potential midseason turnaround prior to the Luka trade, but there was a real chance they were headed for the West's play-in mix (or worse) for the fifth straight season.
And it was starting to feel like mediocrity would be a staple of the post-LeBron James era (whenever that might start).
Anthony Davis is an all-time great, but he's well into his 30s, has a robust injury history and never took his New Orleans Pelicans teams on a deep playoff run when he was the unquestioned alpha.
Then, Nico Harrison and the Dallas Mavericks knocked on L.A.'s metaphorical door, offered the most inexplicable trade we've ever seen, instantly made the Lakers more serious contenders in 2024-25 and completely changed the organization's long-term outlook.
With Dončić now in the same starting five as LeBron and Austin Reaves, L.A. has one of the most dynamic attacks in the league. All three can completely take over a game as a playmaker. And we already have ample evidence that Luka and LeBron are almost singlehandedly capable of winning playoff series.
To make matters even better, if the Lakers do fall short in their first year with this trio, all three are under contract for next season (assuming LeBron picks up his player option). Plus, Luka and Reaves haven't hit their primes yet.
L.A. can—and in all likelihood, will—compete for championships for years to come.
Team MVP: LeBron James
There were stretches of this season when AD was more valuable than LeBron. Since the trade, Dončić has been the team's best player.
But over the course of the entire season, 40-year-old LeBron has been the Lakers' rock, with averages of 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, 7.8 rebounds and 2.1 threes.
4. Los Angeles Clippers (50-32)
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Previous Rank: 6
Net Rating: 4.9
James Harden, Ivica Zubac and Norman Powell deserve loads of credit for keeping the Los Angeles Clippers afloat while they awaited Kawhi Leonard's season debut in January.
Since then, they have the third best net rating in the league, are still getting star-level performance from Harden, Zubac and Powell and now have a No. 1 scorer capable of dominating any series matchup.
Over his last 14 games, Kawhi has averaged 26.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.5 threes, while shooting 49.3 percent from three.
He's not quite moving like he did during his San Antonio or Toronto days, but he's not far off, either. And if this version of Leonard can stay healthy for a couple more months, the Clippers have an outside shot at winning at all.
Team MVP: James Harden
Zubac's defense and finishing make him a real candidate for this spot, but the latter wouldn't exist (at least not to the same degree) without Harden's playmaking.
That's been the constant for the Clippers this season. And even with Leonard's late-season surge, Harden finished as the team leader in points (22.6) and assists (8.7) per game.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers (64-18)
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Previous Rank: 3
Net Rating: 9.2
The Cleveland Cavaliers rode past their preseason over-under back in February, and they're entering the playoffs with the league's best offense.
Behind tons of three-point attempts, two dynamic pick-and-roll creators (Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland), a high-end rim-runner (Jarrett Allen) and an emerging superstar in Evan Mobley, Cleveland has been nearly unstoppable on that end of the floor.
And on the other, the Cavs have, for the most part, figured out how to cover for the fact that they have an undersized backcourt. Allen's rim protection and Mobley's ability to cover the whole floor helped Cleveland finish with a top-10 defense.
Team MVP: Donovan Mitchell
At various points throughout this season, there have been arguments for each of the Cavs' big four to be considered the team's most valuable player.
Garland is the primary distributor. Allen is the anchor of the defense. Mobley is the Swiss Army knife on both ends. But ultimately, the biggest impact comes from Mitchell, who leads the team in both estimated plus-minus and estimated wins.
On the year, he averaged 24.0 points, 5.0 assists and 3.3 threes, with an above-average three-point percentage.
2. Boston Celtics (61-21)
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Previous Rank: 2
Net Rating: 9.4
Despite looking like they were often operating in cruise control, the reigning champions reached 61 wins, finished with the league's second-best time net rating and enter the playoffs as the betting favorite to win the East.
This team dominated in a slightly different way than last year's squad, too. The starting five is still perhaps the most dangerous in the league, but depth is Boston's real strength now.
This season, the Celtics had a whopping 13 players with positive value over replacement player.
They have a superstar in Jayson Tatum; a second volume scorer in Jaylen Brown; loads of perimeter defense from those two, Derrick White and Jrue Holiday; the ability to play big or small, thanks to the versatility of Al Horford and Kristaps Porziņģis; one of the league's best spark plugs off the bench in Payton Pritchard; and multiple other positive difference-makers.
A repeat is very much in play.
Team MVP: Jayson Tatum
Tatum has been one of the NBA's most consistent scorers for half a decade. This season marks his fifth straight with an average of 26-plus points. And though his three-point percentage was down a bit, he made a career-high 3.5 per game.
What really took him to the next level in 2024-25, though, was his improvement as a creator. He handed out a career-high 6.0 assists without raising his turnover percentage much higher than his career level.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder (68-14)
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Previous Rank: 1
Net Rating: 12.7
The Oklahoma City Thunder finished 2024-25 as one of the best regular-season teams in NBA history.
They had the best average point differential ever. Their 54 double-digit wins is the most ever for a single season. In 2024-25 alone, they're second in points per 100 possessions and first in points allowed per 100 possessions.
And while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander deserves (and will get) tons of credit for this historic campaign, he's far from the only reason OKC finished with close to 70 wins.
The Thunder had a point differential around that of a 61-win team when SGA was off the floor. Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Alex Caruso, Isaiah Joe and Isaiah Hartenstein all have estimated plus-minuses in the 90th percentile or better. Luguentz Dort and Jaylin Williams are in the 86th and 85th, respectively.
Gilgeous-Alexander clearly makes life easier for all of the above, but they help him, too. The amount of talent, versatility, shooting and defense on this team is beyond off the charts.
And even with its lack of playoff experience, OKC should be considered the favorite to win it all.
Team MVP: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
The soon-to-be league MVP is the obvious choice for the Thunder's team-specific (though non-existent) honor.
He's plus-918 for the season, which is the fifth-highest single-season plus-minus ever (behind only three Stephen Curry campaigns and one from Draymond Green).
He put 32.7 points per game, one of the 30 highest single-season scoring averages of all time.
And he led the league in 2024-25 estimated plus-minus.
OKC is a truly historic team, but it certainly wouldn't be without its best player and leading scorer.
Stat of the Week
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OKC also set the single-season record for simple rating system, which combines point differential with strength of schedule.
And SRS has been a pretty reliable predictor of postseason success.
Of the 15 teams that make up the rest of the top 16 all time, 10 won the NBA Finals.
Of course, that doesn't guarantee OKC will stand atop the rest of the league in June. But as was the case with last season's Celtics, the numbers are giving us some pretty obvious clues.
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