NBA Power Rankings: Post-Trade Deadline Edition

The dust has settled from this year’s stunning 2024-25 NBA trade deadline that featured plenty of blockbuster deals, with Luka Doncic traded to the L.A. Lakers and De’Aaron Fox shipped off to the San Antonio Spurs.

Ahead of the All-Star break, here’s how every team stacks up in the latest edition of The Lead’s NBA Power Rankings.

1. Oklahoma City Thunder (43-9), Previous Rank: 3

The Thunder have overtaken Cleveland for the best record in the NBA, and Chet Holmgren just played in his first game back from injury since Nov. 10. With MVP favorite Shai Giligeous-Alexander leading the charge, OKC is a certified title contender.

2. Cleveland Cavaliers (43-10), Previous Rank: 1

No one could have imagined Cleveland would be the top seed in the Eastern Conference with a 5.5-game cushion days before the All-Star break. Trading for forward De’Andre Hunter, scoring a career-high 19 points per game, should help the team finish with 60+ wins.

3. Boston Celtics (38-16), Previous Rank: 2

The defending champs have gotten back on track after a rough start to the new year, winning four of their last five games. Jayson Tatum has been on a tear over that stretch, averaging 28.2 points and 7.2 assists for the Celtics, who are shooting three-pointers efficiently again.

4. Memphis Grizzlies (36-17), Previous Rank: 4

If anyone thought Memphis would endure another injury-riddled season after a slow start, they thought wrong. The Grizzlies are the fastest team in the NBA and have the highest-scoring offense in the league with 123.5 points per game.

5. New York Knicks (35-18), Previous Rank: 6

The Knicks have one of the worst defenses in the league, but with Jalen Brunson running the show on offense, New York has overcome their defensive shortcomings. The team’s starting lineup has been incredibly durable, as no starter has missed more than five games.

6. Denver Nuggets (35-19), Previous Rank: 11

Here come the Nuggets, who are riding a seven-game win streak behind Nikola Jokic, averaging a near 30-point triple-double. Denver ranks dead last in three-point attempts, but it hasn’t hurt them, as the team is shooting nearly 38% from deep.

7. Houston Rockets (33-20), Previous Rank: 5

There hasn’t been much to celebrate in Houston lately, as the Rockets have won just one of their last seven games. At least Houston can congratulate big man Alperen Sengun on making his first All-Star game, who’s just the second Turkish player ever to do so.

8. Los Angeles Lakers (32-19), Previous Rank: 10

The vibes in Los Angeles are immaculate, as the Lakers are 9-1 over their last 10 games and have won six straight. With the arrival of the team’s prized trade deadline acquisition, Luka Doncic, the Lakers could be a team no one wants to see in the playoffs.

9. Minnesota Timberwolves (30-24), Previous Rank: 13

The Timberwolves might feel buyer’s remorse after trading away Karl-Anthony Towns this offseason for Julius Randle. In Minnesota’s recent 20-point loss to the Cavaliers, All-Star Anthony Edwards put up 44 points while the team struggled to give him any offensive support.

10. Milwaukee Bucks (28-24), Previous Rank: 9

It’s no coincidence that Detroit’s best season since 2018 has come with first-time All-Star Cade Cunningham playing the best basketball of his career. If Cunningham can take the Pistons to the playoffs, they’ll have the chance to win their first playoff series since 2008.

15. Dallas Mavericks (28-26), Previous Rank: 7

Everyone is betting on a Mavericks collapse down the stretch after trading away Doncic, but Dallas still has enough talent on its roster to be a playoff team. The question is whether or not they can stay healthy, as Anthony Davis is already out indefinitely.

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16. Sacramento Kings (27-26), Previous Rank: 21

The Kings are stuck in mediocrity, trading away De’Aaron Fox to the Spurs for a light return while bringing in Zach LaVine. The pairing of LaVine and DeMar DeRozan didn’t work out in Chicago, so it’s hard to imagine they figure it out together on the Kings.

17. Phoenix Suns (26-27), Previous Rank: 15

It was a disastrous trade deadline for Phoenix, who shopped Kevin Durant and tried to trade Bradley Beal, but the only move it made was dumping disgruntled big man Jusuf Nurkic to Charlotte. This roster’s ceiling is limited, and the Suns are likely headed for a first-round exit.

18. Miami Heat (25-26), Previous Rank: 19

It’s time to hit the reset button in Miami, regardless of what Pat Riley says. After the Heat traded the disgruntled Butler to the Warriors, it should embrace a rebuild around big man Bam Adebayo and first-time All-Star Tyler Herro.

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19. Orlando Magic (26-29), Previous Rank: 8

Orlando’s offense is dreadful, ranking dead-last in points per game, three-point attempts, and three-point percentage. Rotten injury luck aside, it’s hard to believe this team was one game away from winning its first playoff series since 2009 last year.

21. Atlanta Hawks (26-28), Previous Rank: 18

The Hawks traded away key starters in Bogdanovic and Hunter at the deadline, a clear sign of where the front office wants Atlanta to go. At least Trae Young didn’t get “Trae’d” this year, as he’ll replace the injured Antetokounmpo in the All-Star game.

22. Portland Trail Blazers (23-31), Previous Rank: 25

The Trail Blazers have been surprisingly competent over its last 10 games, going 7-3 over that stretch. It doesn’t help Portland’s lottery odds, but with how many young players are already on the roster, maybe a surprise play-in push is just what this team needs.

23. Chicago Bulls (22-32), Previous Rank: 20

Chicago didn’t find a trade partner for Nikola Vucevic, but now it can open up more playing time for its young guards after LaVine’s departure. Coby White has taken advantage of the extra opportunity, scoring 20+ points and handing out 3+ assists in each of his last five games.

25. Philadelphia 76ers (20-33), Previous Rank: 24

It’s hard to win basketball games when you rank in the bottom 10 in offensive and defensive ratings. Philadelphia has fallen well short of the expectations it had entering the season and won’t send a representative to the All-Star game for the first time in eight seasons.

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26. Toronto Raptors (17-37), Previous Rank: 27

The Raptors bought low when they traded for Brandon Ingram, which seems like a confusing move for a team in a full-scale rebuild. Ingram might hurt Toronto’s lottery chances this year if he stays healthy, but there’s no denying the offensive upside he could provide.

27. Utah Jazz (12-40), Previous Rank: 26

No one had high expectations for Utah this season, and the Jazz seem content with a high draft pick in this year’s talented class. Isaiah Collier has shown flashes as the team’s new starting point guard, averaging 11.1 points and 9.1 assists over his last 10 games.

28. Charlotte Hornets (13-38), Previous Rank: 28

Hornets fans have suffered enough over the last couple of years, but having to rescind the Mark Williams trade because of a failed physical is the latest embarrassment. With the oft-injured LaMelo Ball as the go-to guy, will Charlotte ever make the playoffs?

29. New Orleans Pelicans (12-41), Previous Rank: 29

New Orleans already has two starters out with season-ending injuries, which is why they likely felt comfortable trading Ingram. The lone bright spot for the Pelicans has been rookie center Yves Missi, who should earn a spot on the All-Rookie teams.

30. Washington Wizards (9-44), Previous Rank: 30

Kyle Kuzma is finally gone after years of trade speculation. Even if the on-court product is dreadful, Washington still owns the highest odds in the lottery, which gives them the best chance of drafting a generational talent like Cooper Flagg.