With the February 8th trade deadline around the corner and All-Star Weekend over a few weeks away, the best teams in the NBA have distinguished themselves from the rest. At the same time, the lottery teams that were expected to struggle have indeed struggled, and the rest of the teams are somewhere in between the two categories.
With the second half of the season still left to play, we have an updated tier system that will show which sides will be respected as the season progresses while the rest need to work on their rosters and production on the court. Here are all 30 NBA teams ranked into Best Teams, Serious Contenders, Playoff Teams, Disappointments, Play-In Teams, and Lottery Teams.
Best Team In Each Conference
Boston Celtics (37-12), Minnesota Timberwolves (34-14)
The 37-12 Boston Celtics are the best team in the Eastern Conference and probably the favorite to win it all this season. The Celtics rank 5th in offense and an impressive 6th in defense. With the best “top-six” depth chart in the league, Boston has everything to not only be favorites to maintain their top seed until the playoffs start. Even if they lost to the short-handed Lakers on Thursday night, the Celtics are the team to beat in the East and there is no debate about that.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have shocked everybody with their ascent to the top seed in the Western Conference, boasting an impressive 34-14 record. Anchored by a stifling defense that ranks 1st in the league, the Timberwolves have showcased prowess on both the perimeter and interior. Anthony Edwards is averaging 25.5 points per game, Rudy Gobert is a contender for Defensive Player of the Year, and Karl-Anthony Towns has made the All-Star Team. We might not trust Minnesota to win a championship this year, but they have been the best team in the West.
Serious Contenders
Denver Nuggets (33-16), Los Angeles Clippers (31-15), Milwaukee Bucks (32-16), Philadelphia 76ers (30-17), Oklahoma City Thunder (33-15), New York Knicks (32-17), Phoenix Suns (28-20)
In the West, the Denver Nuggets, currently at 33-16, are considered one of the favorites to reach the NBA Finals despite being fourth in the conference. Boasting the reigning Finals MVP Nikola Jokic and a roster built on consistency, the Nuggets exhibit a potent combination of skill and consistency, so never count them out. Ranking 4th in defense, the Nuggets beat you by dedication to doing the dirty work and the stars will do the rest.
The Los Angeles Clippers are proving that their run is no fluke. Going 8-2 over the last 10 games, the Clippers are defeating the team they should beat and competing with the very best in the league. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George were named All-Stars, James Harden is on fire with his playmaking (8.5 APG), and the Clippers rank 10th in offense and 8th in defense. The league is on notice: Los Angeles wants to win a championship at all costs this year.
The Milwaukee Bucks boast an impressive roster with two of the world’s best players Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. Doc Rivers has a massive job on his hands and his 0-2 start should not cause worry just yet. Giannis is arguably the best two-way player in the world so as long as he is available to play, the Bucks will always have a chance to win but Rivers needs to find a way to make things work quickly with only half a season left.
The Philadelphia 76ers, with an impressive 29-17 record, have exceeded expectations, propelled by the brilliance of MVP favorite Joel Embiid and the emergence of Tyrese Maxey, a strong contender for the Most Improved Player award. Embiid has seemingly given up on trying to win MVP, and he is focusing on keeping healthy for the playoffs. The 76ers believe it is their year, and that belief is the main reason why they are in the Serious Contenders category.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have emerged as a potential threat in the Western Conference quicker than anyone would have thought. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a superstar player, averaging 31.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game, and he has help from Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams. However, they lack size and that could hurt them in the postseason although the group believes they are elite.
The New York Knicks are rolling right now, led by first-time All-Star Jalen Brunson who is posting 26.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game while carrying the offense at times. OG Anunoby was an excellent pickup and Julius Randle is another All-Star who has performed at a high level. With a Big Three in town and a dedicated fanbase, the Knicks will be extremely difficult to defeat in the playoffs this season.
The Phoenix Suns are getting better as the weeks have gone by, and they are in serious contention to win a championship. They lack depth and size, and Bradley Beal is still finding his footing, but having Kevin Durant and Devin Booker looks like overkill at times. Teams will struggle to defend Durant, Booker, and Beal because the talent ranks among the very best in the NBA which means the Suns have a chance.
Playoff Teams
Sacramento Kings (27-19), Indiana Pacers (27-22), Dallas Mavericks (26-22), Cleveland Cavaliers (30-16), Miami Heat (25-23)
De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis are playing well enough to make sure the Sacramento Kings finish top-five seed in the Western Conference. Ranking 9th in offense this season, the Kings are a very good offensive team and that will guide them into the playoffs, but getting out of the first round won’t be any easier this year than it was last season.
The Indiana Pacers, led by the exceptional playmaking of Tyrese Haliburton, currently averaging an impressive 23.3 points and 12.5 assists per game, stand as wild cards in the Eastern Conference. The addition of Pascal Siakam makes the Pacers a tough team to handle, but they might be one more star away from being a true contender in the Eastern Conference.
Luka Doncic is an MVP candidate and Kyrie Irving has been at an All-Star level, meaning the Dallas Mavericks are a tough team to handle. Currently 26-22, Dallas has been solid ranking 8th in scoring, but they might need one more piece to elevate their status. Regardless, as long as Luka is on the court, Dallas can beat anybody on any given night.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been playing extremely well, going 9-1 over the last 10 games. Currently 30-16 in the East, the Cavaliers are a threat to finish in the top three in seeding. Donovan Mitchell is a terrific offensive player and there is size down low with Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Despite the talent, the Cavaliers are not mentioned enough when it comes to winning a title and that could be a frustrating issue.
Do not count out the Miami Heat who always seem to be in the playoff mix. Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Tyler Herro might have been the consistent Big Three, and there is enough talent there to keep the Heat on the radar when looking at a potential Eastern Conference Finals matchup. Terry Rozier will be an important piece in the playoffs and rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr makes the Heat a strong side even if their record is unimpressive at 25-23.
Disappointments
Los Angeles Lakers (25-25), Golden State Warriors (20-24)
The Los Angeles Lakers have been a massive disappointment because LeBron James and Anthony Davis are arguably two of the 10 best players in the world but nobody else has performed. D’Angelo Russell has been on the trading block, Austin Reaves hasn’t elevated his play since last season, and Darvin Ham is on the hot seat. The Lakers rank 14th in offense and 20th in defense so expect them to be in a play-in spot yet again.
We are seeing the end of the Golden State Warriors dynasty. Stephen Curry is still a star (27.6 points per game) but he is almost 36 years old. Draymond Green has missed a ton of time this season, Klay Thompson is on an expiring deal, and Andrew Wiggins has been a disappointment (12.6 points per game on 30.1% from three). With so many problems right now including a 22nd-ranked defense, the Warriors might have to blow up the roster soon and that is extremely disappointing.
Play-In Teams
Orlando Magic (25-23), New Orleans Pelicans (27-21), Houston Rockets (22-25), Brooklyn Nets (19-28), Atlanta Hawks (20-27), Utah Jazz (24-26), Chicago Bulls (23-26)
Nobody expected the Orlando Magic to be this good but they are. Holding a 25-23 record in the East and sporting some talented youngsters Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, it would be a blessing for Magic fans to see their team in the playoffs. Head coach Jamahl Mosley deserves a ton of respect for maximizing the production of his players, and it is amazing to see Banchero be an All-Star in only his second NBA season.
The New Orleans Pelicans showcase the dynamic duo of All-Stars Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, while contributors CJ McCollum and Herb Jones are doing their best to make the team relevant. Holding an impressive 27-21 record, we could be seeing the Pelicans start to reach their potential although as we have been saying for years now, it all depends on Zion’s health because one injury and the season is a wrap.
The Houston Rockets have undergone a significant transformation under coach Ime Udoka, leveraging the talents of newcomers Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks and forming a 10th-ranked defense in the NBA. The Rockets have hit a difficult patch, going 3-7 over their last 10 games, but there is enough young talent on the team to make the playoffs through a play-in spot.
The Nets hold a 19-28 record, but somehow that might not throw off their intention to make the playoffs through the play-in tournament. They might blow up the roster before the trade deadline, in that case, they will fall into the lottery, but they are still slightly above being a lottery team right now thanks to Mikal Bridges who is posting 21.9 points and 5.0 rebounds per game.
Trae Young is doing his thing as usual, averaging 28.2 points and 11.3 assists per game as he looks to make his third All-Star Team. However, the team lacks the necessary pieces to ascend to the upper echelons of the league and cannot seem to find a way out of a play-in spot over the past few seasons. The play-in spot is the max the Hawks can aim for.
The Utah Jazz, with Lauri Markkanen leading the way with averages of 23.5 points and 8.7 rebounds per game, show glimpses of promise but face an uphill battle to secure a play-in spot. Utah might cash in on Markkanen for multiple first-round picks and that will send the Jazz into the lottery, but if they don’t, the play-in tournament is possible.
Finally, the Bulls will always be a play-in spot because Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan are talented scorers who not only provide offensive firepower but can take any defender one-on-one. However, the Bulls might trade both players and instead fall into the lottery zone similar to the Utah Jazz situation.
Lottery Teams
Toronto Raptors (17-30), Portland Trail Blazers (15-33), Memphis Grizzlies (18-30), San Antonio Spurs (10-38), Charlotte Hornets (10-36), Washington Wizards (9-38), Detroit Pistons (6-41)
The Toronto Raptors traded Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby and placed the future in the hands of Scottie Barnes. Toronto is hoping RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley will also start improving their games because the Raptors want to build around youth and look toward the 2024 NBA Draft. It might be a while until we see the Raptors become a title contender again.
The Portland Trail Blazers are right in a rebuilding phase, centering their efforts around Deandre Ayton, Anfernee Simons, and Shaedon Sharpe. Scoot Henderson is playing better but Portland does not have a timetable when it comes to one day being a great team because they hold a putrid 15-33 record so far this season.
The Memphis Grizzlies had to endure the absence of the dynamic Ja Morant for 25 games to start the season and their record took a massive hit. It makes matters worse that Morant has been shut down for the entire season due to a shoulder injury that needs surgery. The Grizzlies will need to write off the 2023-24 season.
San Antonio, led by budding superstar Victor Wembanyama, faces the perennial struggle of a team that has yet to be ready to contend. While Wembanyama’s potential is evident, the Spurs may need to explore trades to acquire a franchise point guard or playmaker because there are not enough leaders on the team. Wembanyama could still win Rookie of the Year, averaging 20.6 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 3.2 blocks per game.
LaMelo Ball is doing his thing individually (23.9 points and 8.0 assists per game), but the Charlotte Hornets are not a good team. Despite the promising performance of rookie Brandon Miller, the team faces a developmental curve and a 10-36 record perfectly describes how bad the team is this year.
The Washington Wizards are not a good team, Jordan Poole and Kyle Kuzma are possibly on the trading block, and the future is not looking too bright. With only nine wins on the season, the Wizards need to cash in on Poole and Kuzma for first-round picks and start the tanking process as soon as possible.
Finally, the Detroit Pistons, languishing at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, have struggled immensely, winning only six games so far and tying the NBA record for most consecutive losses with 28 earlier in the season. Cade Cunningham has been solid (22.7 points and 7.4 assists per game), but nothing else matters for the Pistons right now.
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