NBA Power Rankings: Best & Worst Teams for 2024-25 Season

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrates during the game against the New York Knicks on January 3, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Cooper Neill/NBAE via Getty Images
  • The Oklahoma City Thunder are the top-ranked team during the 2024-25 season.
  • The Washington Wizards are ranked No. 30.

The NBA season continues to march forward following a crazy trade deadline that featured Luka Donฤiฤ‡ joining the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have taken over as the top team in these powers rankings, establishing themselves as NBA odds favorites in the Western Conference. But how does the rest of the league stack up?

NBA Power Rankings 2024-25

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RankTeam
1Thunder
2Cavaliers
3Celtics
4Knicks
5Grizzlies
6Nuggets
7Rockets
8Lakers
9Timberwolves
10Bucks
11Pacers
12Clippers
13Mavericks
14Suns
15Heat
16Kings
17Pistons
18Warriors
19Magic
20Spurs
2176ers
22Hawks
23Bulls
24Trail Blazers
25Raptors
26Nets
27Pelicans
28Hornets
29Jazz
30Wizards

Best NBA Teams, 2024-25

1. Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder have been the best defense in the league, and get Chet Holmgren back in the lineup. They are playing on a different level right now.

2. Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavaliers are No. 1 in the Eastern Conference standings, making Kenny Atkinson the NBA Coach of the Year odds favorite after I suggested betting on him at 30/1 in the preseason.

3. Boston Celtics

The Celtics are dealing with a championship hangover, but they remain the favorites to win the title for a reason.

4. New York Knicks

The Knicks are No. 2 in offensive rating this year, living up to their lofty preseason expectations.

5. Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies have reminded everyone they are one of the best teams in the league after an injury-riddled campaign in 2023-24.

6. Denver Nuggets

Nikola Jokiฤ‡ is putting together another MVP-worthy season for a Denver team that might be the biggest playoff threat to Oklahoma City in the West.

7. Houston Rockets

The Rockets have exceeded expectations with their young roster, thanks to their elite defensive play this season. But a recent slide provides reason for doubt about their playoff potential.

8. Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers shocked the world by trading for Donฤiฤ‡, forming a prolific pairing between him and a 40-year-old LeBron James.

9. Minnesota Timberwolves

Anthony Edwards has put the team on his back, carrying the Wolves out of the play-in picture for the first time this season.

10. Milwaukee Bucks

The Giannis Antetokounmpo rumors won’t go away now after a confusing trade deadline by the Bucks.

11. Indiana Pacers

The Pacers are putting it together after an underwhelming start to the season.

12. Los Angeles Clippers

Kawhi Leonard has returned for a Clippers team that was surprisingly competitive without him.

13. Dallas Mavericks

The Mavs are making a bet that defense wins championship, acquiring Anthony Davis in the most-stunning trade in NBA history.

14. Phoenix Suns

The Suns have underwhelmed after being everyone’s favorite dark-horse contender in the summer. Now, Kevin Durant might not be happy after his name was involved in trade conversations.

15. Miami Heat

The Jimmy Butler era has ended in Miami. The Heat now have a better long-term outlook.

16. Sacramento Kings

The Kings traded away De’Aaron Fox to re-pair Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan together. Get ready to learn play-in basketball, Sacramento.

17. Detroit Pistons

Cade Cunningham, a top contender for NBA’s Most Improved Player, earned his first All-Star nod and has been carrying Detroit this year.

18. Golden State Warriors

The Warriors traded for Butler in hopes of giving Stephen Curry and Co. one more deep playoff run.

19. Orlando Magic

Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner are back, but the Magic have looked lethargic offensively for much of the year.

20. San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs are more interesting after trading for Fox to give Victor Wembanyama his point guard for years to come.

21. Philadelphia 76ers

The 76ers have been the biggest disappointment in the league, but they might make the play-in tournament by default at this point.

22. Atlanta Hawks

This Hawks team is in a funk since losing Jalen Johnson.

23. Chicago Bulls

The Bulls are finally entering a rebuild after years of pretending they could contend.

24. Portland Trail Blazers

Don’t look now, but the Trail Blazers might be interesting. They have won nine of their last 10 games, trailing the final play-in spot by 2.5 games.

25. Toronto Raptors

Toronto traded for Brandon Ingram instead of leaning into the rebuild.

26. Brooklyn Nets

The Nets have been successfully tanking since trading away Dennis Schrรถder and Dorian Finney-Smith.

27. New Orleans Pelicans

No team has dealt with as many injuries as the Pelicans. That could end up being a blessing in disguise, given the talent in the 2025 draft class.

28. Charlotte Hornets

The Hornets made some tremendous moves as the best sellers during this year’s trade deadline.

29. Utah Jazz

Danny Ainge probably found a way to trade for another second-round pick while you are reading this.

30. Washington Wizards

The debate for worst team in the league has long been decided.

Who is the Best NBA Team this Season?

According to these power rankings, the Oklahoma City Thunder are the best NBA team during the 2024-25 NBA season. The Cavaliers are ranked No. 2, while the Celtics are No. 3.

Who is the Worst NBA Team this Season?

The Washington Wizards are rated No. 30 in the league based on these updated power rankings.

NBA Playoffs Odds

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About the Author

Shane Jackson

Read More @Sjacksonmgm

Shane Jackson is a Web Content Writer for BetMGM, covering MLB and NBA. After graduating from the University of Kansas, his previous stops include MLB.com, Lawrence Journal-World, Manhattan Mercury, Bet Chicago Sports, WynnBET, and Sportsbook Review.

Shane Jackson is a Web Content Writer for BetMGM, covering MLB and NBA. After graduating from the University of Kansas, his previous stops include MLB.com, Lawrence Journal-World, Manhattan Mercury, Bet Chicago Sports, WynnBET, and Sportsbook Review.