2024 NBA Power Rankings: Christmas Edition

The 2024-25 NBA regular season is in full swing, and it’s clear that some teams could use a boost before the holiday season.

With that in mind, here’s one gift for every NBA team in the latest edition of The Lead’s NBA Power Rankings.

1. Cleveland Cavaliers (25-4), Previous Rank: 1

A healthy Donovan Mitchell: The Cavaliers still own the NBA’s best record after a hot start, with Mitchell leading the charge. If Cleveland wants its success to translate to the playoffs, it needs its best player healthy.

2. Boston Celtics (22-6), Previous Rank: 2

Robot legs for Kristaps Porzingis: With the Latvian big man back in the lineup, the Celtics have looked even better than the team that won it all last year. If Porzingis can stay healthy, Boston will still be the team to beat.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder (22-5), Previous Rank: 4

A three-point sniper: While the Thunder have all the tools to compete in the stacked Western Conference, more perimeter shooting would be nice. OKC only ranks 14th in three-pointers made and 18th in three-point percentage.

4. Memphis Grizzlies (20-9), Previous Rank: 8

More Jaylen Wells minutes: Wells has been a revelation for the Grizzlies, who are back among the NBA’s elite. Rookie status aside, Memphis would be wise to give him a bigger role.

5. Houston Rockets (19-9), Previous Rank: 10

Scoring punch: Few people expected the Rockets to be this good this fast. It hasn’t prevented them from winning games, but the offense would benefit from an established scorer, as the team ranks 26th in field goal percentage.

6. New York Knicks (18-10), Previous Rank: 14

A defensive coach for Mikal Bridges: The Knicks have put their slow start behind them, but Bridges hasn’t. Better results on defense would help him look more like the player New York traded five first-rounders for.

7. Dallas Mavericks (18-10), Previous Rank: 9

Free throw practice: The Mavericks should hang tough in the playoffs, but not if they can’t improve their free-throw shooting. Eight rotation players for Dallas are shooting below the league average of 78% this season.

8. Orlando Magic (18-12), Previous Rank: 22

Two new obliques: Both Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner are out with oblique muscle tears. The two have carried the Magic to one of the league’s best records, but Orlando can’t sustain that without their two best players.

9. Milwaukee Bucks (15-12), Previous Rank: 17

A time machine for Khris Middleton: Fresh off an NBA Cup title, the Bucks have put their dismal 2-8 start behind them. If Middleton re-discovers his All-Star form, that would do wonders for Milwaukee.

10. Los Angeles Lakers (16-12), Previous Rank: 13

An improved Gabe Vincent: Winners of three straight, the Lakers have surprisingly gotten a scoring boost from Gabe Vincent. If that continues, L.A. will feel better about its postseason ambitions.

11. Denver Nuggets (15-11), Previous Rank: 7

A top horse for Nikola Jokic: Where would the Nuggets be without Nikola Jokic? Jokic has carried the underperforming Nuggets this season, so whatever it takes to keep the MVP favorite happy in Denver, Jokic should get.

12. Golden State Warriors (15-12), Previous Rank: 5

A trade for Jonathan Kuminga: The Warriors have dropped to reality after a hot start. Kuminga doesn’t look like the long-term answer for Golden State, so it’s time to trade him now while his value is still high.

https://twitter.com/BricksCenter/status/1870904178694037841

13. Minnesota Timberwolves (14-13), Previous Rank: 6

Freedom for Donte: Donte DiVincenzo was one of the best catch-and-shoot players in the league last season, but his shots have come off the dribble for the Timberwolves. Letting him shoot off the catch could help the team’s struggling offense.

18. Atlanta Hawks (14-15), Previous Rank: 21

Pen and paper: Atlanta’s prized offseason acquisition, Dyson Daniels, is only 21 and averaging three steals per game. Regardless of their middling record, the Hawks would be wise to extend him as soon as possible.

19. Miami Heat (13-13), Previous Rank: 15

A full reset: Miami has had a slow start to the season, sparking rumors over a Jimmy Butler trade. Whether the Heat deal Butler or not, it’s time to recognize Tyler Herro, who will likely be an All-Star this year, as someone ready to be the team’s go-to player.

https://twitter.com/LegionHoops/status/1871239785983189195

20. Chicago Bulls (13-16), Previous Rank: 20

Zach LaVine trade stock: The Bulls are another team waiting to enter a rebuild, and it starts by trading away LaVine. The more assets Chicago adds to its younger core, the faster it will be competitive again.

21. Sacramento Kings (13-17), Previous Rank: 11

More spacing: The Kings don’t fit in today’s NBA— they can’t shoot threes and don’t attempt many. That game plan might have worked 20 years ago, but the team needs more perimeter shooting to overcome its sub-.500 start.

22. Detroit Pistons (12-17), Previous Rank: 26

An All-Star nod: The Pistons are still years away from competing, but Cade Cunningham has been excellent this season. He’s given Detroit fans hope for the future and should be rewarded with a spot on the list of All-Stars.

23. Brooklyn Nets (11-17), Previous Rank: 18

A confident Ben Simmons: Simmons isn’t the player he used to be after some serious injuries, but he’s stepped up for the Nets after the departure of Dennis Schroder. If he can keep it up, he’ll have a decent contract coming this offseason.

https://twitter.com/BrooklynNetcast/status/1870633364967084431

24. Philadelphia 76ers (9-17), Previous Rank: 23

20-20 vision: Nothing has gone to plan for the 76ers this season, who have had some of the league’s worst injury luck. With Paul George not living up to his massive contract, maybe Philadelphia could have seen this coming and spread the money elsewhere.

https://twitter.com/RTNBA/status/1870864902086066632

25. Portland Trail Blazers (9-19), Previous Rank: 27

Trade deadline activity: The Trail Blazers must decide which young players they want to build around. With logjams at multiple positions, Portland has to get active at the trade deadline.

26. Utah Jazz (7-20), Previous Rank: 30

Trust in Danny Ainge: The on-court product is rough, but Utah has made the right decisions in its rebuild. Moves like extending Lauri Markkanen, signing John Collins, and drafting Walker Kessler are what Jazz fans hope to see more of under Ainge.

27. Toronto Raptors (7-22), Previous Rank: 28

An extension for Darko: The Raptors are showing the league how to do an efficient tank job, losing plenty of games while still fielding a young, competitive team. Head coach Darko Rajakovic will be the one to thank when Toronto has a high draft pick next year.

28. Charlotte Hornets (7-21), Previous Rank: 19

More ankle braces for LaMelo: LaMelo Ball has been one of the league’s most exciting players since being drafted in 2020, but he’s struggled to stay healthy. Charlotte doesn’t stand a chance of winning without Ball, so his health is key.

29. New Orleans Pelicans (5-25), Previous Rank: 25

A witch: The Pelicans have been decimated by injuries this season, and it looks like another lost season in New Orleans. A witch would be helpful to remove the injury curse that’s haunted the franchise for years.

30. Washington Wizards (4-22), Previous Rank: 29

Lottery luck: Owners of the NBA’s worst record, it seems like anything would help the Wizards in the early stage of their rebuild. The lottery falling in Washington’s favor to earn the first overall pick is a great start.

https://twitter.com/BricksCenter/status/1863062660226646201