The NBA’s balance of power is as dynamic as ever. This season has already brought seismic shifts thanks to blockbuster trades and the development of the league’s brightest stars. As we approach the stretch run, the league’s hierarchy is starting to take shape.
At the top, the Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Cleveland Cavaliers are juggernauts, blending generational star power with depth and chemistry. Meanwhile, teams like the Lakers, Bucks, and Knicks are battling to keep pace in their own quests for glory.
But we can’t just focus on the top tier. Mid-tier teams are jockeying for playoff positioning, while others have officially transitioned into full rebuild mode. As we rank the NBA into definitive tiers—Title Favorites, Serious Contenders, Dark Horses, Play-In Teams, and Lottery Teams—it’s time to dive into where every franchise stands in the current championship race.
Title Favorites
Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder, Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets
The Boston Celtics (39-16) have solidified their status as the NBA’s top contender in the Eastern Conference, with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown leading an elite squad that can dominate on both ends of the court. The presence of Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, and Derrick White has provided interior scoring and rim protection. With excellent coaching and a deep bench, the Celtics look poised to hoist another championship banner if they can reach the Finals for the second straight year.
The Oklahoma City Thunder (44-9) have been the team to beat in the West despite Chet Holmgren’s injury, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander putting together an MVP-caliber campaign while first-time All-Star Jalen Williams provides versatile support. This young core has developed faster than anyone expected and they have the best defense in the NBA. Some might be concerned about their size, but the Thunder are favorites to come out the West.
The Cleveland Cavaliers (44-10) are built for a deep playoff run, with Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland forming one of the league’s top backcourts. Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen anchor a defense that suffocates opponents, and the team’s balanced scoring ensures they’re a tough out for anyone. After a disappointing end to last season, the Cavs look ready to take the next step and push for an NBA Finals and a clever pickup of De’Andre Hunter could be the missing piece.
The Denver Nuggets (36-19) remain an elite team with Nikola Jokic orchestrating their offense like a maestro while averaging a triple-double as a center. Jamal Murray has stepped up his play quietly after a poor start to the season, and Michael Porter Jr. adds another layer of scoring punch. Their championship pedigree and chemistry make them one of the toughest teams to knock off in a seven-game series, and they remain as dangerous as ever against any opponent. Quite frankly, just because Jokic is on the court, the Nuggets like their chances against most.
Serious Contenders
Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks, Milwaukee Bucks, Memphis Grizzlies
The Los Angeles Lakers (32-20) are now powered by the stunning pairing of Luka Doncic and LeBron James, two of the league’s most unstoppable playmakers. The supporting cast, led by Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura, complements their stars perfectly, creating a team that can match up against anyone. If they can stay healthy, they’re a serious threat to go all the way but they need the centers (Jaxson Hayes and new signing Alex Len) to play up to par.
The New York Knicks (36-18) have transformed into a juggernaut, with Karl-Anthony Towns bringing elite scoring and floor spacing alongside Jalen Brunson’s leadership. Josh Hart’s toughness gives the team an edge, and their improved depth makes them a versatile contender. If OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges continue to play strong defense, the Knicks don’t really have a weakness. For the first time in decades, the Knicks are legitimate title threats, and MSG is buzzing because of it.
The Dallas Mavericks (29-26) have placed their championship hopes in the hands of Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving, a pairing with tremendous upside. Assuming they can both get over the injury bug and get on the court, the Mavericks will be a threat even with Luka Doncic no longer with the team. With role players like Klay Thompson and Dereck Lively II stepping up, the Mavericks are formidable when healthy and we can’t knock them off this tier.
The Milwaukee Bucks (29-24) remain a perennial contender, with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard creating an offensive juggernaut. However, their defensive decline has raised questions about their ceiling, and injuries have exposed their lack of depth although that was somewhat corrected by shipping off Khris Middleton for Kyle Kuzma. Still, with Giannis and Dame in a playoff series, they’re a team no one wants to face.
The Memphis Grizzlies (36-17) have regained their swagger with Ja Morant’s return and Jaren Jackson Jr.’s dominant two-way play as a second-time All-Star. Their young supporting cast, including Desmond Bane, has developed into reliable contributors, and they’ve shown resilience throughout the season. While their youth might limit their ceiling, their grit and talent make them a dangerous playoff opponent.
Dark Horses
Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns
The Houston Rockets (34-20) are certainly ahead of schedule, with Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, and Jalen Green leading a team that’s hungry to compete. Fred VanVleet’s leadership has stabilized the young squad, and their depth has allowed them to punch above their weight. While they may not be title-ready, they’re a tough out in any series despite a frustrating 1-6 record over the last eight games.
The Indiana Pacers (30-23) are a team that is getting better as the weeks have gone by, with Tyrese Haliburton running the show and Pascal Siakam adding veteran star power. They’ve developed into one of the league’s most balanced teams, with a mix of young talent and experienced players that gives them a shot to surprise contenders. They made the Eastern Conference Finals last year so there isn’t anything stopping them from focusing on that goal again.
The Los Angeles Clippers (30-23) are still dangerous, with James Harden and Norman Powell carrying the offense. While Kawhi Leonard’s injuries have plagued them, as usual, their veteran experience and ability to turn it on in the playoffs make them a dark horse. If Kawhi can get healthy, no one will want to face them – especially after they added Bogdan Bogdanovic without giving up major pieces.
The Golden State Warriors (27-27) remain intriguing after retooling around Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler. While their depth and age are concerns, their core’s championship pedigree and Butler’s competitive fire give them an outside shot at a deep run. We aren’t going to knock off the Warriors from dark horse status just yet because we predict they will be out of the play-in spot in due time.
The Minnesota Timberwolves (30-25) aren’t the team that we saw last year for obvious reasons but we cannot deny that Anthony Edwards has developed into a true superstar. Julius Randle adds toughness and rebounding, while Rudy Gobert anchors their defense. They’re not a favorite, but they’ve proven they can hang with the league’s best as the growing pains in terms of building chemistry hold them back slightly.
The Miami Heat (25-27) are always dangerous in the playoffs, even without a top-tier seed. Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro lead a tough, gritty team that thrives in big moments. While they lack the firepower of other teams, especially with Jimmy Butler gone, their culture and defense make them a team to watch and Andrew Wiggins could end up being a strong pickup for them.
The Phoenix Suns (26-28) are trending downward and are nowhere near the team they should be, but how can we discount a trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal? The Big Three is struggling to keep the team afloat but that doesn’t mean they can be a sneaky team to face in the playoffs. Their lack of depth has been exposed, and they’ll need a miracle to make noise in the playoffs, but we aren’t ready to kick them out of the dark horse tier just yet.
Play-In Teams
Sacramento Kings, Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Chicago Bulls, Atlanta Hawks
The Sacramento Kings (28-26) remain competitive, but they haven’t taken the leap many expected. De’Aaron Fox is gone and their defense remains a glaring weakness that will likely limit their playoff success. A roster featuring Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan should do more than they have but they are heading to the play-in tournament.
The Detroit Pistons (29-26) have shown promise with Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey leading the way. While they’re not ready to contend just yet, their young core makes them a dangerous play-in team that could upset higher seeds. In actuality, the Pistons have been one of the positives of the season so far.
The 23-30 San Antonio Spurs are a fascinating team with Victor Wembanyama leading the charge. While they’re still learning how to win, Wemby’s brilliance gives them a puncher’s chance in any game but the acquisition of De’Aaron Fox could be the difference in the play-in push.
The Orlando Magic (28-29) are building something special with Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, but their health issues have kept them in the play-in mix so far. They’re a year or two away from being true contenders but if the stars are healthy, the Magic can become a legitimate playoff contender thanks to elite coaching and role players.
The Philadelphia 76ers (20-34) have fallen off badly compared to expectations due to Joel Embiid and Paul George’s injuries so they have relied on Tyrese Maxey to carry the load. While Maxey has been excellent, the team lacks the firepower to be more than a play-in squad if the two stars are not healthy. If Embiid and George can magically be healthy, the 76ers always have a chance to contend, but that is unrealistic right now.
The 22-33 Chicago Bulls are in rebuild mode, but Nikola Vucevic and Coby White give them just enough to compete for a play-in spot. Their ceiling is low after the Zach LaVine trade, but they’re scrappy and could appease fans with a surprise play-in spot if they can string together some wins.
The 26-29 Atlanta Hawks are in full tank mode after trading away key pieces including De’Andre Hunter and Bogdan Bogdanovic, but Trae Young’s presence still gives them a fighting chance to sneak into the play-in. Trae’s future in Atlanta might not last long considering the pre-deadline trades that happened but fans can enjoy what he can bring for now.
Lottery Teams
Washington Wizards, New Orleans Pelicans, Utah Jazz, Portland Trail Blazers, Charlotte Hornets, Toronto Raptors, Brooklyn Nets
The Washington Wizards (9-45) are firmly in tank mode, with Jordan Poole and Bilal Coulibaly getting all the minutes they can handle. Their focus is entirely on the future after trading Kyle Kuzma but the problem is there aren’t many untouchable pieces. Perhaps that will change after the 2025 Draft.
The 12-42 New Orleans Pelicans are a mess, having traded Brandon Ingram and with Zion Williamson’s future in doubt. It doesn’t help that Dejounte Murray is also out for the season. Injuries and dysfunction have left them with no clear direction and they might be better suited shutting down Zion and CJ McCollum to embrace the tank for next season.
The 12-41 Utah Jazz are in the very early stages of a rebuild, with Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler being their lone bright spots. They’re focused on developing their young players and collecting draft assets but in the process of doing that, they are hardly a competitive NBA team and will be in the lottery.
The Portland Trail Blazers (23-32) have embraced the tank, building around Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe while continuing to shop veterans like Deandre Ayton and Jerami Grant. Their focus is entirely on the future but unless they can put together a strong winning streak and sneak into the play-in, it will be another season in the lottery.
The Charlotte Hornets (13-40) are floundering despite LaMelo Ball’s brilliance, with a roster that lacks depth or direction. They’re playing for lottery odds and little else and it might be time for the franchise to make big moves whether that is giving Ball some help or moving him for spare parts.
The Toronto Raptors (17-38) have finally embraced a rebuild after trading Pascal Siakam last season but things could change by the time next season arrives. Scottie Barnes is their centerpiece, but the acquisition of Brandon Ingram could make things interesting in the East. The Raptors are still a few pieces away from contention but they seem to be on the right track.
The Brooklyn Nets (20-34) will likely be in free fall after trading away all their stars, relying on Cam Thomas and Cameron Johnson to keep them watchable. Their future is entirely tied to their draft picks and they will aim to lose as many games as possible to start the tanking process.
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