- The Oklahoma City Thunder remain the best team in the NBA.
- The Sacramento Kings sit at No. 30.
The 2026-27 campaign is around the corner, and it could be an epic NBA season.
With a new draft lottery system in place, all 30 teams are encouraged to be competitive. That has forced nearly every team to improve their roster this summer.
As a result, it’s a good time to share my early NBA power rankings for the upcoming season.
NBA Power Rankings 2026-27
| Rank | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | Thunder |
| 2 | Spurs |
| 3 | Knicks |
| 4 | 76ers |
| 5 | Celtics |
| 6 | Cavaliers |
| 7 | Rockets |
| 8 | Pistons |
| 9 | Nuggets |
| 10 | Timberwolves |
| 11 | Raptors |
| 12 | Lakers |
| 13 | Pacers |
| 14 | Heat |
| 15 | Hawks |
| 16 | Magic |
| 17 | Trail Blazers |
| 18 | Hornets |
| 19 | Warriors |
| 20 | Mavericks |
| 21 | Suns |
| 22 | Jazz |
| 23 | Wizards |
| 24 | Bulls |
| 25 | Pelicans |
| 26 | Clippers |
| 27 | Nets |
| 28 | Grizzlies |
| 29 | Bucks |
| 30 | Kings |
Best NBA Teams 2026-27
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
Despite losing in last year’s Western Conference finals, the Thunder remain the best team in the NBA. They’ve done a great job keeping their core intact. Now they have to hope for better health.
2. San Antonio Spurs
After an impressive run to the NBA Finals with this young core in their first postseason trip, the Spurs are only a matter of time away from lifting the trophy. They are co-favorites with the Thunder in the NBA championship odds for a reason.
3. New York Knicks
No team has won back-to-back NBA championships since 2018. The Knicks might be the defending champions, but I don’t think they deserve to be ranked ahead of the Thunder or Spurs after losing Mitchell Robinson.
4. Philadelphia 76ers
Expectations are extremely high in Philadelphia after adding LeBron James and Jaylen Brown. This team is talented enough to win a title.
5. Boston Celtics
It’s difficult to argue that the Celtics improved by trading Jaylen Brown for Paul George, but I still trust this franchise to win many regular-season games. But I have my doubts about this roster in the postseason.
6. Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland added Peyton Watson to form a balanced starting lineup after last year’s loss in the Eastern Conference finals.
7. Houston Rockets
Houston is running it back after last year’s Round 1 loss to a depleted Lakers squad, though it did bring in Marcus Smart and will get Fred VanVleet back.
8. Detroit Pistons
As expected, the Pistons extended Jalen Duren, who earned his first All-NBA Third Team nod last season.
9. Denver Nuggets
Nikola Jokić declined to sign an extension, so this year has suddenly become important for the Nuggets.
10. Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota has made a lot of bold decisions of late, but the latest one (trading for LaMelo Ball) could be the most divisive yet. I tend to have more faith in this organization but understand why there is some skepticism about Ball’s fit with Anthony Edwards.
11. Toronto Raptors
The Raptors are ready to leap into contention after trading for Kawhi Leonard, who delivered them a championship in 2019. They now have someone they can turn to when the stakes are highest.
12. Los Angeles Lakers
Sure, the Lakers paid too much to land Walker Kessler. But they finally have a franchise center for Luka Dončić.
13. Indiana Pacers
After a gap year, the Pacers hope a healthy campaign from Tyrese Haliburton will help them return to the heights of their 2025 NBA Finals run.
14. Miami Heat
Miami traded a ton of depth to land Giannis Antetokounmpo. But the Heat finally have a star again.
15. Atlanta Hawks
Credit to the Hawks for being the only team to beat the Knicks in multiple playoff games. Now they hope to take the next step.
16. Orlando Magic
Orlando is counting on new head coach Sean Sweeney to make the most of Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.
17. Portland Trail Blazers
Ja Morant is now in Portland, giving the team even more guard depth. Damian Lillard will also return this year.
18. Charlotte Hornets
After a hot finish to last year’s play-in tournament, Charlotte traded away multiple starters. It remains to be seen if the new-look Hornets have the same magic.
19. Golden State Warriors
The Warriors have missed the playoffs in two of the past three years, but they haven’t done much to improve the supporting cast around Stephen Curry.
20. Dallas Mavericks
The market was way too high on the Mavericks last year, but they might be underrated this time around. Kyrie Irving’s return could push them back into the play-in picture.
21. Phoenix Suns
Following a surprise postseason appearance, the Suns could take a step back as the bottom of the West becomes more competitive.
22. Utah Jazz
After landing Jaren Jackson Jr. at last year’s deadline, the Jazz looked ready to make a major leap. But now they are looking for a frontline center after letting Kessler walk.
23. Washington Wizards
Like the Jazz, the Wizards traded for big-name players last year, bringing in Trae Young and Anthony Davis. I’m worried it might stunt the growth of their young core, including AJ Dybantsa (the No. 1 pick).
24. Chicago Bulls
Between Caleb Wilson (the No. 4 pick) and Matas Buzelis, the Bulls will be a compelling NBA League Pass team.
25. New Orleans Pelicans
With so many players made untouchable, the Pelicans must believe in their young core.
26. Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers have pivoted toward a new era after trading away Leonard following the Aspiration scandal.
27. Brooklyn Nets
After making five first-round picks in last year’s NBA Draft, the Nets’ young core is now being led by Julius Randle and Michael Porter Jr.
28. Memphis Grizzlies
Stepping into a huge role as the No. 3 pick, Cameron Boozer begins as the betting favorite in the early NBA Rookie of the Year odds.
29. Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks actually fared well in the Giannis sweepstakes, but they have a long road ahead before they are a winning team again.
30. Sacramento Kings
It’s pretty telling about the league’s current state that its worst team fields a competent roster featuring Domantas Sabonis and Zach LaVine.
Who is the Best NBA Team this Season?
According to these power rankings, the Oklahoma City Thunder are the best NBA team in the 2026-27 season. The Spurs are No. 2, while the Knicks are No. 3.
Who is the Worst NBA Team this Season?
The Sacramento Kings rank 30th in the league in these updated power rankings.
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