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

The 2024-25 NBA season is just around the corner.

The Boston Celtics are coming off their 18th championship in franchise history and are NBA odds favorites to repeat. But there hasn’t been a back-to-back champ since the Golden State Warriors in 2018, and the league figures to be even more competitive this season.

Boston starts atop my initial power rankings, but how does the rest of the league stack up?

Who is the best NBA team this season?

According to these power rankings, the Boston Celtics are the best NBA team entering the 2024-25 campaign. The Thunder are ranked No. 2, while the Mavericks are No. 3.

Who is the worst NBA team this season?

Based on these updated power rankings, the Washington Wizards are ranked No. 30 in the league ahead of the upcoming season.

NBA Power Rankings 2024-25

Best NBA Teams, 2024-25

• Who are the best basketball teams in 2024-25?

1. Boston Celtics

After knocking on the door for several years, the Celtics won last year’s NBA Finals with a convincing playoff run following a 64-win season. With their core in their prime, it’s safe to say the Celtics are the team to beat in the NBA.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder

Even with a young roster, the Thunder claimed the No. 1 overall seed in a loaded Western Conference last year. After trading for Alex Caruso and signing Isaiah Hartenstein, Oklahoma City enters the year as the Western Conference favorite.

3. Dallas Mavericks

Could this be the year that Luka Dončić wins an MVP award? Dallas certainly has plenty of momentum following a trip to the NBA Finals.

4. New York Knicks

New York probably sent too many picks for Mikal Bridges, but this team’s chemistry and defensive versatility are undeniable. The Knicks also have a chance to be one of the best offensive teams in the league after trading for Karl-Anthony Towns in the preseason.

5. Philadelphia 76ers

The 76ers landed the biggest star in free agency by signing Paul George, forming a tantalizing trio with Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid. It looks like a formidable roster on paper, if Embiid can stay on the floor.

6. Minnesota Timberwolves

Last year’s top defense and the ascension of Anthony Edwards helped Minnesota reach the Western Conference finals. Are the Timberwolves ready for that next step?

7. Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets have the best player in the world in Nikola Jokić, but the front office continues to let key role players walk in the offseason.

8. Phoenix Suns

The Suns have a better roster and coach than they did before last year’s 49-win campaign. They could be a sleeping giant in the West.

9. Milwaukee Bucks

NBA championship odds windows can close quickly. After winning the title in 2021, the Bucks have been bounced in the first round in back-to-back seasons.

10. Cleveland Cavaliers

If new head coach Kenny Atkinson can help Cleveland improve on the offensive end, the Cavaliers have a chance to surprise this season.

11. Indiana Pacers

Thanks to an elite offense, Indiana’s breakout season included a trip to the In-Season Tournament title game and the Eastern Conference finals.

12. Orlando Magic

Orlando is a minus-odds NBA betting favorite to win its division before the season begins.

13. Sacramento Kings

The Kings went from the No. 3 seed in the West in 2022-23 to missing the playoffs last year, prompting a trade for DeMar DeRozan this summer.

14. Golden State Warriors

Despite losing Klay Thompson in free agency, the Warriors have a better roster this season. That’s why they are my favorite NBA win total prediction this year.

15. Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies will bounce back this year after an injury-riddled 27-win campaign.

16. New Orleans Pelicans

It remains unclear what the Pelicans will do with Brandon Ingram, but this team has too much talent after consecutive winning seasons.

17. Los Angeles Lakers

Lebron James and Anthony Davis were healthy last year, but the Lakers still couldn’t avoid the play-in tournament. This is who they are with this roster.

18. Miami Heat

The Heat have a knack for exceeding expectations, so let’s see how they do so this year with mostly the same team that lost in the opening round last year.

19. Houston Rockets

The Rockets are ready to contend for a basketball odds playoff spot in the next phase of their rebuild.

20. Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks are now Trae Young’s team again after they traded away Dejounte Murray in the offseason.

21. Los Angeles Clippers

After losing Paul George this summer, the Clippers can’t afford any injuries to Kawhi Leonard in a conference with little margin for error.

22. San Antonio Spurs

There is no doubting Victor Wembanyama, but it still feels like the Spurs are a year away from truly being in the mix.

23. Chicago Bulls

The Bulls are finally focused on a youth movement, meaning Zach LaVine and Nikola Vučević could eventually be moved.

24. Utah Jazz

Utah is keeping Lauri Markkanen after giving him a long-term extension. Now it’s time to help build a supporting cast around him.

25. Charlotte Hornets

LaMelo Ball hasn’t played more than 36 games since 2021-22, when he earned an All-Star nod. The Hornets’ season depends on his health once again.

26. Toronto Raptors

The Raptors will go as far as Scottie Barnes can take them after he inked a five-year, $224,237,860 extension this summer.

27. Detroit Pistons

Detroit went an NBA-worst 14-68 last year, but the coaching additions of J.B. Bickerstaff and Fred Vinson could help turn things around.

28. Portland Trail Blazers

The Trail Blazers have too many centers after selecting UConn’s Donovan Clingan in the first round. Look out for a trade that could help Portland collect more draft assets.

29. Brooklyn Nets

After trading Mikal Bridges to its crosstown rival, the tank is on in Brooklyn.

30. Washington Wizards

The Wizards hope Alex Sarr is better than he showed in the summer league, but Carlton Carrington remains my favorite NBA Rookie of the Year odds sleeper.