The 2022-23 NBA season is about to tip off, and it’s as wide-open of a race to the championship as most fans can remember.
For the first time in a long time, there are several teams who are able to make a legitimate case for why they have the best chance to win it. Of course, only one team is able to hoist the trophy at the end of the season, so who will it be this time around?
While these rankings are fluid and will change considerably once the action actually begins, here is how the teams are stacking up before opening night:
30
San Antonio Spurs
BAD NEWS: Before what may be his final season in the NBA, legendary Spurs coach Gregg Popovich advised bettors not to wager on his team to win the title in 2022-23. What more must be said?
GOOD NEWS: Victor Wembanyama deserves nothing more than to go to a well-run organization like the Spurs, and I’m bullish on Devin Vassell (who is my pick to win the NBA’s Most Improved Player).
29
Utah Jazz
BAD NEWS: They may have the NBA’s least impressive depth chart.
GOOD NEWS: After trading away both Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, the Jazz have an absurd stockpile of first-round draft picks. They currently have more draft capital than all but one team in the NBA and could perhaps gain even more if they trade more veterans like Mike Conley or Jordan Clarkson.
28
Charlotte Hornets
BAD NEWS: The Hornets had an absolutely nightmarish offseason, including their coaching search, that followed Murphy’s Law: If something could have gone wrong, it did. The arrests of Charlotte’s Miles Bridges and James Bouknight are the most serious of the organizational concerns.
GOOD NEWS: He is injured right now, but so long as he is healthy, we are going to see a lot of triple-doubles from LaMelo Ball because he is going to have to do it all by himself on this team.
27
Oklahoma City Thunder
BAD NEWS: After losing No. 2 overall pick Chet Holmgren to injury, the Thunder may have another high draft pick in 2023. Even if the league’s history shows he can bounce back better than ever, it sucks to lose Holmgren.
GOOD NEWS: Oklahoma City has so much young talent on the roster, and they just got the most wins of any team during the preseason. Especially with new shooting coach Chip Engelland now in the mix, there is plenty of reason to be excited about the development of rising stars like Josh Giddey, too.
26
Indiana Pacers
BAD NEWS: The Pacers flirted with pairing Tyrese Haliburton with Deandre Ayton this offseason, and while it would have been a big swing, it didn’t work out. Since then, the front office has gone the other way, and they have considered trading away veterans like Buddy Hield and Myles Turner.
GOOD NEWS: I’d expect them to eventually trade Hield and Turner and lean into their young core and let Haliburton develop alongside Bennedict Mathurin (who looked excellent during both the NBA 2K23 Summer League and the preseason), Isaiah Jackson, and Jalen Smith.
25
Detroit Pistons
BAD NEWS: This is a very young team led by Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey, and both may struggle with efficiency. That typically does not lend itself to winning.
GOOD NWS: By unexpectedly trading for Bojan Bogdanovic, the Pistons essentially signaled that they are no longer looking to tank for high draft picks. They are going to win more games this year than they did last year, and although I wouldn’t bet on them making the play-in tournament, it also wouldn’t be shocking.
24
Houston Rockets
BAD NEWS: I’m not sure whether or not Jalen Green’s game, especially on the defensive end of the floor, is ready to translate to winning at this point in his career.
GOOD NEWS: The Rockets are loaded with young talent and I think they’re going to take another step forward this season. Green looked better and better as the season progressed last season, and he is also surrounded by one of the most talented young cores (Jabari Smith, Kevin Porter Jr., Alperen Sengun, Josh Christopher, Tari Eason, etc.) in the league.
23
Orlando Magic
BAD NEWS: Orlando has several questions to answer in the backcourt, and it’s unclear which of those players (Jalen Suggs, Cole Anthony, Markelle Fultz, RJ Hampton) are viable options in a starting lineup.
GOOD NEWS: The Magic should be a lot of fun to watch this season, especially considering the versatility their offense may have with jumbo-sized ball-handlers Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner (who is primed for a leap next season) in the frontcourt. It should be a much better season for this group in Orlando than they just had.
22
Washington Wizards
BAD NEWS: I’m simply not convinced that this is a team built for short-term or long-term success.
GOOD NEWS: The Wizards signed Bradley Beal to a 5-year, $251 million deal and traded for Kristaps Porzingis. While I’m not sure I would have done that, these are moves that a team makes that suggest they are trying to win.
21
Portland Trail Blazers
BAD NEWS: During the time that he was active, Damian Lillard had the worst 3-point percentage of his career last season. It was a small sample size as he returns from injury, but the guard also struggled from beyond the arc during the preseason as well. Should this continue, the team is in serious trouble.
GOOD NEWS: If healthy, the Trail Blazers should be a better team than they were last year. Jerami Grant and Gary Payton II were both nice pick-ups for their roster, and their young players were also good enough to win the NBA 2K23 Summer League championship.
20
Los Angeles Lakers
BAD NEWS: The Russell Westbrook situation is messy, and until it is resolved, their rotation is best described as awkward. Anthony Davis is best-suited as a five, but he wants to play the four. There is not enough shooting, and similarly, there isn’t enough youth.
GOOD NEWS: This team is still led by LeBron James, who was briefly an MVP candidate last season. They still have Anthony Davis, who looked as good as ever during the preseason. New head coach Darvin Ham and veteran guard Patrick Beverley should reshape the culture of this team, too, and add some necessary grittiness.
19
Chicago Bulls
BAD NEWS: I cannot emphasize enough how concerned I am about the latest injury updates for Lonzo Ball, which leaves Chicago unexpectedly thin in the backcourt. It’s also worth mentioning that since he was traded, former Bulls big man Wendell Carter Jr. has arguably outplayed Nikola Vucevic.
GOOD NEWS: This team should still win lots of games with DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine running the show on offense, and the return of Alex Caruso should help them on both sides of the floor.
18
New York Knicks
BAD NEWS: The Eastern Conference is more loaded than ever, so it may be tough for a team like the Knicks to make much of a run in the postseason. Do we know if we’re getting the same Julius Randle who won the NBA’s Most Improved Player, or the one who disappointed last season? Will head coach Tom Thibodeau give enough minutes to the young players in his rotation?
GOOD NEWS: New York has finally found a franchise point guard in Jalen Brunson, which was beyond necessary. Additionally, during preseason action, RJ Barrett showed the best shooting touch we have ever seen from him.
17
Sacramento Kings
BAD NEWS: Sacramento has the longest active playoff drought among all teams in the major American sports, and they have not made the postseason since 2006. Mike Brown will become their 13th coach during that span. Why is this year going to be any different?
GOOD NEWS: Keegan Murray is my pick to win the NBA’s Rookie of the Year, and there are enough teams who will want to tank for Wembanyama that the Kings should probably make the play-in tournament.
16
Dallas Mavericks
BAD NEWS: The Mavericks lost Jalen Brunson, who was arguably their second-best player last season, without getting anything back in return.
GOOD NEWS: Luka Doncic is good enough that the Mavericks could make a deep run in the playoffs just based on his performance alone. Don’t be at all surprised if this is the year that he wins NBA’s Most Valuable Player, because Doncic looked dominant during EuroBasket.
15
Phoenix Suns
BAD NEWS: The Suns had a Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Offseason. Deandre Ayton said it feels like a cloud is hanging over the franchise, and he’s right. Aside from everything that happened with Robert Sarver, as horrible as it was, there are on-court concerns. Chris Paul turns 38 years old this season. Have the Suns missed their window?
GOOD NEWS: Despite everything, Phoenix had the best record in the NBA last season. Devin Booker is likely the best shooting guard in the league, and Ayton is a top-5 center. Mikal Bridges can win Defensive Player of the Year, and Monty Williams was named the NBA’s Coach of the Year.
14
Brooklyn Nets
BAD NEWS: There may not be a team with more variance between their high and low outcome than the Nets. How many games are we going to get from Kevin Durant, Ben Simmons, Kyrie Irving, Seth Curry, Joe Harris, and TJ Warren? It’s impossible to say!
GOOD NEWS: If this group can stay clear of the drama and the injury bug, the Nets can trot out a five-man lineup that looks unbeatable.
13
Toronto Raptors
BAD NEWS: The East is crowded with good teams, and even though Toronto’s team is very good, do they have the star power necessary to hold their own against juggernauts like the Celtics and the Bucks? This team does not have someone like Kawhi Leonard, who was integral when they won the title.
GOOD NEWS: The Raptors truly play positionless basketball, and due to their versatility, they’ve got one of the most unique rosters in the league. These guys are so interchangeable, and that’s awesome to watch. I’m excited to see what Scottie Barnes can accomplish after winning the NBA’s Rookie of the Year, and I think Pascal Siakam is ready for another big season.
12
Atlanta Hawks
BAD NEWS: The Hawks feel like they’re in the middle of where they’re going, but they’re not quite there yet. Is this the year they’re finally going to trade John Collins? Should they stick with Clint Capela as their center, or is it time to get Onyeka Okongwu more involved?
GOOD NEWS: It was pretty obvious that Atlanta’s defense was abysmal last season, and trading for Dejounte Murray should fix many of those concerns. On the offensive side of the floor, I think it’s good Trae Young will get more off-ball action with Murray in the mix. This should make the Hawks a bit less predictable.
11
Minnesota Timberwolves
BAD NEWS: The Timberwolves cashed in basically every asset that they had in order to trade for Rudy Gobert, which means it’s going to be tough for them to improve their roster moving forward. But is this team good enough to make that work?
GOOD NEWS: Karl-Anthony Towns is the best shooting big man of all-time. Anthony Edwards, who we just named as For The Win’s best player under 23 years old, is a rising superstar. I think his defense will take another step forward, which will make him one of the most valuable two-way players in the NBA.
10
New Orleans Pelicans
BAD NEWS: Now that he’s back from injury, we don’t exactly know what version of Zion Williamson we’re going to get next season. Is he able to stay healthy for the entirety of the season? We still haven’t seen him do that yet.
GOOD NEWS: The Pelicans were legitimately good last season, and that was without Williamson in the mix. New Orleans has some of the better young defensive players in the NBA, with favorable projections for guys like Herbert Jones, Jose Alvarado, and Dyson Daniels. I’m bullish on this group.
9
Cleveland Cavaliers
BAD NEWS: Like the Timberwolves, the Cavaliers don’t have many viable ways to improve their roster now that they’ve cashed in the majority of their assets for Donovan Mitchell. Does a backcourt duo of Mitchell and Darius Garland have a strong enough perimeter defense to hold up in the playoffs?
GOOD NEWS: They have three players who made the All-Star team last season (Garland, Mitchell, and Jarrett Allen) and yet Evan Mobley may be the most talented player on their roster. NBA general managers predict he is the player most likely to take a leap as a breakout player this season.
8
Denver Nuggets
BAD NEWS: Nikola Jokic is obviously a superstar, but will Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. have what it takes to contribute as the second-best and third-best players for a contender? Both are returning from injuries, so it may not be easy for them to find their footing right away.
GOOD NEWS: The Nuggets have a back-to-back MVP winner in Nikola Jokic, and he looked unstoppable during EuroBasket. Plus, they get to add Murray and Porter back into the mix. They had a nice offseason, adding valuable role players like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Bruce Brown. Plus, scoring guard Bones Hyland could have a breakout season.
7
Miami Heat
BAD NEWS: After a rough season last year, it’s unclear if veteran guard Kyle Lowry still has what it takes to contribute to winning at a high level. Will he be able to bounce back, or will they need to find a new point guard? Similarly, will Duncan Robinson be able to live up to the lofty contract that he signed last offseason?
GOOD NEWS: Miami is one of the most reliable teams in the NBA, and they always find a way to contend for a championship. Bam Adebayo is my pick to win the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year, and any team that has Jimmy Butler on the roster tends to play with a tenacious, competitive spirit.
6
Memphis Grizzlies
BAD NEWS: For all of the excitement that he brings whenever he steps on the floor, we still haven’t seen Ja Morant play a full season without an injury. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies are also starting the season without Jaren Jackson Jr., and his presence will be missed.
GOOD NEWS: The Grizzlies were my favorite team to watch last season, and they have done a phenomenal job with player development. Morant won NBA’s Most Improved Player last season, and Desmond Bane was one of the finalists for the award. Don’t be shocked if Ziaire Williams is a contender for that award this year, too.
5
Milwaukee Bucks
BAD NEWS: Unfortunately, Milwaukee’s Khris Middleton is expected to miss the first few weeks of the regular season due to a wrist injury. The player who would have been his backup, Pat Connaughton, suffered a calf strain and will miss multiple weeks as well. If the Bucks start the season off on the wrong foot, it could back to haunt them.
GOOD NEWS: The Bucks have Giannis Antetokounmpo, and he’s likely the best player in the world. Don’t forget about the way that the two-time MVP is able to impact the game on both ends of the floor.
4
Philadelphia 76ers
BAD NEWS: Philly left a bad taste in everyone’s mouth during the playoffs, and it’s hard to forget how little James Harden contributed when it mattered most. Is this the year that Doc Rivers is finally able to make it work with the Sixers, or should we expect another fiery crash?
GOOD NEWS: After finishing with the second-most votes two years in a row, Joel Embiid is my pick to win the NBA’s MVP. Tyrese Maxey looked like a stud during the preseason, and he could be ready to take another leap to stardom. Harden is in great shape, and he is still an excellent floor general and playmaker. Due to the way that Harden structured his contract, they were able to improve their depth and add valuable contributors like PJ Tucker and De’Anthony Melton.
3
L.A. Clippers
BAD NEWS: We haven’t seen Kawhi Leonard play in quite some time, and he may not be the same player right after returning from injury. The Clippers are obviously deep, but does it matter that there is no player who is obviously their third-best player? Sometimes, it helps to have a pecking order.
GOOD NEWS: Leonard is arguably the best two-way player in the NBA when he is healthy, and Paul George is a seven-time All-Star for a reason. Ty Lue is a fantastic coach for the Clippers, and they may have the deepest and most complete second-unit in the NBA.
2
Boston Celtics
BAD NEWS: Celtics head coach Ime Udoka is suspended for the entirety of the season. Boston obviously had a remarkable run in the playoffs to win the Eastern Conference, but it won’t be easy for this group to play for an interim head coach.
GOOD NEWS: Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are two of the best young players in the NBA, and now they have championship experience under their belt. Boston has a great mix of youth and experience, and I love the addition of Malcolm Brogdon, who could win NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year.
1
Golden State Warriors
BAD NEWS: Draymond Green punched teammate Jordan Poole in the face during practice, and the footage got out. Steve Kerr called this the biggest crisis he has ever faced as a head coach, and their chemistry will be tested as Green potentially clamors for a contract extension.
GOOD NEWS: Golden State is the only team good enough to recover from an incident like Green-Poole and still come out as the No. 1 overall team on our power rankings. They’re the defending champions, and they may be even better next season. Klay Thompson is further removed from injury and their developing young core (Jordan Poole, James Wiseman, Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody) can make a bigger impact in 2022-23.
