NBA Power Rankings Entering 2026 Preseason

After a wild NBA offseason and with media days in the books, it's time to break down the league in another edition of the power rankings.

Almost every organization is brimming with hope right now, but it's more warranted in some cases than others. Wherever your team falls on that line, you'll find it ranked by the criteria that have guided us for years.

Based on team and player stats, recent performance (in this week's case, last season), championship chances and plenty of subjectivity, here's where all 30 teams stand as training camps open across the NBA.

ATL | BKN | BOS | CHA | CHI | CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GSW | HOU | IND | LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN | NOP | NYK | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX | POR | SAC | SAS | TOR | UTA | WAS

30. Los Angeles Clippers (42-40)

Previous Rank: 24

Championship Odds: +100000

After the league handed down its punishment for the Los Angeles Clippers' cap circumvention and the Kawhi Leonard trade finally and officially went through, this team was always going to have a rough 2026-27.

On media day, the outlook somehow got even bleaker when it was revealed that Brandon Ingram would miss the start of the regular season after the medical staff discovered a partially torn Achilles.

There are still some veteran contributors left (like Darius Garland and Brook Lopez). Keaton Wagler is a source of hope in a tough organizational moment. But things are going to look and feel very rough in the wake of a Kawhi era that yielded little more than penalties.

29. Sacramento Kings (22-60)

Previous Rank: 30

Championship Odds: +100000

Ben Simmons was the big story for the Sacramento Kings in the media, which is a pretty rough indicator of how the season will go.

The three-time All-Star missed all of last season. In the last three campaigns he did play, he averaged 5.9 points and shot 52.4 percent from the free-throw line.

When the novelty of his comeback wears off, the attention will quickly shift back to who, if anyone, will give the Kings a shred of value for Domantas Sabonis and Zach LaVine.

28. Milwaukee Bucks (32-50)

Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images

Previous Rank: 29

Championship Odds: +100000

The Milwaukee Bucks should be, at the very least, scrappy. In what Adam Silver is surely hoping is a post-tanking world, scrappy may not be good enough to avoid the bottom of the standings.

Still, even in this first year without Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks fans have reason to be optimistic.

When Ryan Rollins, Tyler Herro and Jaime Jaquez are on the floor, Milwaukee should be competitive. No one in that trio is old, though they're far from the biggest sources of upside.

That's Brayden Burries, who has the potential to be one of the best playmakers from his draft class.

27. Brooklyn Nets (20-62)

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Previous Rank: 28

Championship Odds: +100000

Depth will be a pretty significant problem for the Brooklyn Nets. However, after acquiring Julius Randle, the starting five should have enough firepower to at least make life difficult for opponents.

He and Michael Porter Jr. have produced 20-point-per-game seasons. At least in theory, Randle's slashing should pair well with MPJ's outside shooting.

The real pivot point for this team may be the development of 6'8" playmaker Egor Dëmin, who averaged 11.9 points and 3.2 assists in 26.9 minutes, while shooting 40.6 percent from deep, over his last 30 games as a rookie.

If the 20-year-old takes a couple of natural steps forward, Brooklyn might even threaten for a play-in spot.

26. Chicago Bulls (31-51)

Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

Previous Rank: 27

Championship Odds: +100000

After several years hovering somewhere between hopeless and mediocre, the Chicago Bulls are finally giving their fans something to look forward to with the forward duo of Matas Buzelis and rookie Caleb Wilson.

Both have multi-positional versatility. Both have great size. Both are good (and in Wilson's case, great) athletes. Wilson, at least, has superstar upside.

Surrounding those two with Josh Giddey's playmaking and veteran acquisitions like Norman Powell and Nicolas Claxton should expedite their development.

Though they're not a safe bet to make the playoffs, the Bulls at least appear to be headed in that direction over the next few years.

25. Memphis Grizzlies (25-57)

Justin Ford/Getty Images

Previous Rank: 26

Championship Odds: +100000

The Memphis Grizzlies are going to be one of those young teams that don't know better than to play with maximum effort every night. They'll annoy the heck out of regular-season coasters and likely improve on last season's win total.

Cameron Boozer has the most upside of anyone behind that formula, but there's reason for optimism with Cedric Coward, Zach Edey and Jaylen Wells too.

Supplementing them with veterans like Ty Jerome, Isaiah Stewart and Jerami Grant could make the Grizzlies a surprise play-in contender.

24. New Orleans Pelicans (26-56)

Previous Rank: 25

Championship Odds: +70000

For years, the New Orleans Pelicans have struggled to live up to the talent on their roster.

For this one, like others before it, it's hard to look at names like Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III and Dejounte Murray and not think they have a chance to be one of this season's surprise teams.

But lack of shooting from regulars other than Murphy and lack of durability from Zion (though he did manage 62 appearances last season) will likely doom them to the lottery again.

23. Golden State Warriors (37-45)

Previous Rank: 21

Championship Odds: +6000

Stephen Curry gave us one of media day's most viral moments with his reaction above to the idea of missing the playoffs.

Maybe he shouldn't be all that surprised by the notion. Golden State has finished in the lottery four of the last seven seasons. Moses Moody is likely to miss the whole season. Jimmy Butler could miss most of it. On Monday, we learned that Kristaps Porziņģis is once again out with an undisclosed medical issue.

Curry took a lot of pressure off the front office by signing another contract extension, but that didn't take much off him. It's going to take a truly Herculean effort for the 38-year-old guard to carry the Warriors through all of the above.

22. Utah Jazz (22-60)

Alex Goodlett/Getty Images

Previous Rank: 23

Championship Odds: +12500

After trading for Jaren Jackson Jr. in February and landing Darryn Peterson in the draft, the Utah Jazz look poised to turn the corner from rebuild to competitiveness.

Pairing those two with Lauri Markkanen, Keyonte George and (likely) Jusuf Nurkić will make for a big, explosive starting five. If they take a few more developmental steps forward, Isaiah Collier and Ace Bailey could lead a dynamic bench.

The West is crowded, as always, but the Jazz have enough talent to push for a playoff spot.

21. Phoenix Suns (45-37)

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Previous Rank: 22

Championship Odds: +10000

After being perhaps the biggest surprise team of the 2025-26 season, the Phoenix Suns traded away depth and shooting from Royce O'Neale and Grayson Allen for a bigger-upside swing in Miles Bridges.

The move was also a bet that Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks could maintain the culture and identity that made them so much better than expected last season.

If they come through on that bet and a couple of the younger players (like Khaman Maluach or Koa Peat) pop, Phoenix could take another step in the right direction this season.

20. Washington Wizards (17-65)

Previous Rank: 20

Championship Odds: +20000

In 2024-25, the Detroit Pistons became the first team in NBA history to triple their win total from the previous campaign. Just a couple of years later, the Washington Wizards have a chance to do the same.

Now, that's only possible because of how dreadful Washington was last season. Getting to 51 wins would be a stretch (their over/under is set at 33.5).

Assuming they stay healthy, Trae Young and Anthony Davis could be one of the most explosive guard-big duos in the league. Top overall pick AJ Dybantsa looks ready to contribute right away.

If one or two of the holdovers from the young core take steps forward, another historic improvement could be on the way.

19. Dallas Mavericks (26-56)

Glenn James/National Basketball Association via Getty Images

Previous Rank: 19

Championship Odds: +40000

With Kyrie Irving coming back, Cooper Flagg looking at a second-year leap and Dusty May in place to put all the pieces together between them, it's tempting to pick the Dallas Mavericks as a dark horse to make the West's top six.

That'd be a pretty significant leap, but Kyrie averaged 25.9 points and 5.1 assists over his last three seasons. Flagg had LeBron James-like production as a rookie, putting up 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists.

Sprinkling in some veteran leadership and toughness from P.J. Washington, a course correction for former first overall pick Zaccharie Risacher and maybe one other breakout candidate like Sergio de Larrea could mean a playoff spot is very much in play.

18. Portland Trail Blazers (42-40)

Previous Rank: 18

Championship Odds: +7000

After being one of last season's biggest breakouts, the Portland Trail Blazers were exactly the kind of team that could take a swing on Ja Morant.

It didn't cost them any piece of the young core. With Shaedon Sharpe hurt, Portland could actually use some of the scoring that a healthy Morant might provide.

The team is still very much Deni Avdija's, but supplementing last season's backcourt with Morant and a post-prime (and post-Achilles tear) Damian Lillard raises its ceiling.

17. Charlotte Hornets (44-38)

Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Previous Rank: 17

Championship Odds: +10000

The Charlotte Hornets made one of the boldest bets of the offseason by trading their lead playmaker and face of the franchise, LaMelo Ball. They will be trusting Kon Knueppel, Brandon Miller and Coby White to pick up the slack.

The early returns hit a snag because of Knueppel's offseason hamstring injury, but once he's healthy, it's not hard to imagine this quickly becoming one of the league's most explosive offenses.

He, Miller and White are all dynamic three-point shooters. Now, adding Allen, O'Neale, and Naz Reid gives the Hornets a shot at breaking the single-season record for made threes.

16. Indiana Pacers (19-63)

Previous Rank: 16

Championship Odds: +4000

Thanks to the risky trade that landed them Ivica Zubac, the Indiana Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton-less gap year didn't yield a lottery pick.

But at this point in their careers, the bigger and better-rebounding Zubac is likely an upgrade over Myles Turner. That's the only change in a starting lineup that led the Pacers to the NBA Finals.

With Haliburton back, Indiana suddenly has some of the best starters in the East again. TJ McConnell, Kelly Oubre and Obi Toppin provide solid depth.

As Indiana's social media team says above, this team is indeed "so back."

15. Orlando Magic (45-37)

Rich Storry/Getty Images

Previous Rank: 15

Championship Odds: +4000

It feels like a borderline make-or-break season for the Orlando Magic, who've failed to live up to expectations in each of the last two seasons after breaking out with 47 wins in 2023-24.

Their two most talented players may be at the core of the disappointment.

Individually, there's plenty to like about both Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, but their games haven't quite meshed enough for Orlando to be a contender.

In the four years they've been together, the team has performed significantly better when Franz plays without Paolo than it does with any other configuration involving them. If that trend carries into this season, Orlando might have to think about breaking them up.

14. Atlanta Hawks (46-36)

Todd Kirkland/Getty Images

Previous Rank: 14

Championship Odds: +4000

With Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels, Onyeka Okongwu and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, the Atlanta Hawks are absolutely loaded with length, athleticism and defensive tenacity at the top of the roster.

Thanks to the dreaded second apron, the Oklahoma City Thunder salary dumped Luguentz Dort and Aaron Wiggins Atlanta's way, boosting the Hawks' depth and giving them a little championship experience.

There are some pretty serious shooting concerns after Alexander-Walker and CJ McCollum. Okongwu is certainly a bit undersized at the 5. That said, things are clearly heading in the right direction for this team.

13. Detroit Pistons (60-22)

Chris Schwegler/National Basketball Association via Getty Images

Previous Rank: 9

Championship Odds: +2500

Now that most of the player movement and the Clippers investigation are in the rearview, the ongoing stalemate between Jalen Duren and the Detroit Pistons is probably the biggest story in the NBA.

With Duren sitting out media day, the story's only gotten bigger. At this point, it's starting to look like there's a real chance he won't sign a long-term deal in Detroit.

For his part, Cade Cunningham is saying the right things right now, but his job could be harder if Duren isn't around for the 2026-27 campaign (depending on what might come back in a sign-and-trade).

If a deal is aimed more toward the future, the Detroit Pistons would have to slide a little bit in this exercise. If they keep him or move him in a more win-now deal, there could be an argument for moving them up.

At the moment, Duren's indecision makes it tough to pin them down at any spot.

12. Los Angeles Lakers (53-29)

Eric Thayer/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Previous Rank: 13

Championship Odds: +5000

The Los Angeles Lakers said all the right things at media day.

If the players can be trusted, the offense will be more free-flowing. The candidates for the fourth and fifth starting spots (after Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, and Walker Kessler) will do whatever they're asked. Luka and Reaves will take up LeBron James' leadership mantle without skipping a beat.

But none of that will really matter if L.A. can't cobble together an average or near-average defense. That responsibility will fall largely to coach JJ Redick and Kessler, but previously uncommitted (at least at times) defenders like Luka and Reaves will have to find conviction fast.

If they do, the Lakers have more than enough firepower to be a sneaky title contender. If they don't, they could be fighting for a play-in spot.

The range of outcomes for what is perhaps the league's premier franchise is wide.

11. Toronto Raptors (46-36)

Cole Burston/Getty Images

Previous Rank: 12

Championship Odds: +2200

After the league's investigation into the Clippers concluded and Kawhi escaped darn-near scot-free (thanks to a deal between the NBA and the players' union), he was all smiles at media day on Monday.

Who could blame him?

Just like he was in 2018, when he joined the Toronto Raptors the first time around, Kawhi looks like the missing piece to a championship puzzle.

It's hard to overstate the level of upgrade a healthy Leonard is over Ingram. Adding him while still having Scottie Barnes and Collin Murray-Boyles on the roster could give Toronto one of the toughest defenses in the league.

That and Leonard's ability to take over games on the other end make Toronto a bona fide threat to win it all.

10. Houston Rockets (52-30)

Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images

Previous Rank: 11

Championship Odds: +2700

The 2025-26 Houston Rockets had one of the league's more embarrassing first-round exits when the Luka-less Lakers sent them packing.

Even with Kevin Durant on the roster and after winning 52 games last season, that version of the team always had plenty of upside for future campaigns.

Reed Sheppard, Alperen Şengün and Jabari Smith Jr. are all still years shy of their primes. Getting Fred VanVleet back from injury will add some stability. KD looks like he could casually drain contested jumpers into his 40s.

But the biggest swing player here is Amen Thompson. Houston is clearly invested in his superstar potential. Beyond signing him to a five-year, $208 million extension, the Rockets hired famed shooting guru Chip Engelland to improve his jumper.

If Thompson adds even an average three-point shot to his defense, playmaking and slashing, he could become a perennial All-NBA player.

9. Miami Heat (43-39)

Issac Baldizon/National Basketball Association via Getty Images

Previous Rank: 10

Championship Odds: +3500

Much has been made of the lack of spacing in a Giannis Antetokounmpo-and-Bam Adebayo-led lineup. The concern is fair.

Neither commands a ton of attention beyond the three-point line. Having two such players on the floor can make it hard to play a modern offense.

The front office did a solid job of filling out the rest of the rotation with good-to-great shooters. Last season, Davion Mitchell, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bobby Portis shot a combined 40.8 percent from deep.

If they stay around that level, while Mitchell, Adebayo and Giannis lead a strong defense, the Heat could be in the mix for a championship.

8. Cleveland Cavaliers (52-30)

Nick Cammett/Getty Images

Previous Rank: 8

Championship Odds: +2700

The Cleveland Cavaliers were flat-out embarrassed by the New York Knicks in the conference finals. They weren't just swept. They lost those four games by an average of 19.3 points.

For some front offices, that would've been enough to warrant a dramatic shakeup. Maybe if things aren't going well in February, that could still happen.

Cleveland opted for continuity and stability instead. James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen are all back. Key reserves like Sam Merrill and Jaylon Tyson are too.

The team didn't stand entirely pat. Adding Peyton Watson's length and athleticism to the mix adds elements on both ends of the floor. If his one-on-one scoring during last season's Nikola Jokić absence is real, the Cavs may suddenly be dynamic enough to avenge last summer's embarrassment.

7. Denver Nuggets (54-28)

Justin Edmonds/Getty Images

Previous Rank: 7

Championship Odds: +2700

The loss of Peyton Watson wasn't ideal, but the Denver Nuggets still have one of the NBA's best starting fives.

While Denver has real concerns about its athletic deficit compared to younger teams like the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder, its starting five and improved bench give the Nuggets a shot.

Assuming it jells, a second unit with Tyus Jones, Julian Strawther, DeMar DeRozan, Spencer Jones and Marvin Bagley can at least match opposing benches. That would be a significant step up from previous years.

6. Minnesota Timberwolves (49-33)

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Previous Rank: 5

Championship Odds: +3000

Although Rudy Gobert should uphold much of the defense, losing Julius Randle and Naz Reid means the Minnesota Timberwolves will have a slightly different identity than they've had in recent years.

That'll take some getting used to, but the upside is potentially higher with LaMelo Ball around to make life easier for Anthony Edwards.

LaMelo is one of the best playmakers and distributors in the league. He commands far more respect as a three-point shooter than Randle did. He and Ant could be the most explosive backcourt in the NBA.

If Gobert and McDaniels can keep this team in or around the top 10 on defense and Ball can charge the offense a bit, the Timberwolves will stay in the mix for a championship.

5. Boston Celtics (56-26)

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Previous Rank: 4

Championship Odds: +1500

Now that the dust has settled on the Jaylen Brown trade, people should be able to look at the 2026-27 Boston Celtics a little more objectively.

They won 56 games last season, missing Jayson Tatum for most of it. He's now in Brown's place. Paul George is theoretically filling Tatum's old roster spot, which didn't give Boston anything till the spring.

Tatum and George are surrounded by the same supporting cast (plus Mitchell Robinson) and infrastructure as last season. That means Boston is still a legitimate contender in the Eastern Conference.

4. Philadelphia 76ers (45-37)

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Previous Rank: 6

Championship Odds: +1000

Availability is a concern for Joel Embiid and LeBron James. It'll take some time to figure out the scoring balance between them, Jaylen Brown and Tyrese Maxey. Even second-year guard VJ Edgecombe is in for a pretty big adjustment.

But there is a ton of raw talent here that goes beyond the loaded starting five. A second unit with Anfernee Simons, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Dean Wade will get plenty of minutes.

Assuming everyone is relatively healthy in the spring and summer, Philadelphia will be one of the deeper teams in the East, as they will have a real shot at the championship

3. New York Knicks (53-29)

Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images

Previous Rank: 1

Championship Odds: +1000

The lack of a contract extension for Karl-Anthony Towns could create some awkwardness. Losing Mitchell Robinson this offseason could prove to be a big problem.

Things aren't perfect for New York, but in the short term, the issues feel like nits that might not even need picking.

The championship-winning starting five is back. It has championship experience now. Jalen Brunson's ascension to superstardom doesn't feel over.

No one has repeated as NBA champions since 2018, but Brunson, Towns, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart will give this team a chance.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder (64-18)

Previous Rank: 3

Championship Odds: +240

The Oklahoma City Thunder cut into their depth in an effort to stay under the second apron for 2026-27.

Aaron Wiggins, Isaiah Joe and Luguentz Dort are all gone, which could put a real dent in OKC's title prospects.

A healthier Jalen Williams and meaningful steps forward for young players like Nikola Topić, Thomas Sorber and Cason Wallace could more than make up for the losses.

Of course, the two-time reigning MVP is still around too.

Even after last season's disappointing playoff exit, the Thunder have a real argument to start the season in the top spot in these rankings.

1. San Antonio Spurs (62-20)

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Previous Rank: 2

Championship Odds: +280

The San Antonio Spurs made the Finals ahead of schedule. Now, they have the opportunity to build on that success.

Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper are all still several years away from their primes. As scary as this prospect is, all three could (and probably should) be better than they were in 2025-26.

They beat the timeline a few months ago. Now, they look like perennial title contenders.