NBA power rankings: How every team stacks up after draft and free agency
The pace ofNBAfree agency has eased, with teams mostly settled headed into their summer vacations. Yet, there are still a few pieces out there, namely some intriguing restricted free agents who could sill move the needle. Bulls point guard Josh Giddey and Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga are the players who would most impact new teams, though Chicago and Golden State each have the chance to match any offer sheets prospective teams can offer those players. Damian Lillard (Achilles) is another name to watch, though any team that signs him wouldn't stand to benefit until next season. The biggest issue facing each of these players is that it's a depressed market, with few teams having adequate cap space to make additional moves. Here areUSA TODAY Sports' post-playoffs, post-draft, post-free agency NBA power rankings: The champs return the heart of their roster, andreached a long-term extensionwith2024-25 MVPand2025 Finals MVPShai Gilgeous-Alexander. Plus, the Thunder will get a chance to see how 2024 first-round pick Nikola Topic and 2025 first-round pick Thomas Sorber fit into the rotation. The Rockets shoved all their chips to the center of the table. Theyadded Kevin Durant, Clint Capela and Dorian Finney-Smith, reached deals to bring back Fred VanVleet, Jabari Smith Jr., Steven Adams, Aaron Holiday, Jeff Green and Jae'Sean Tate. Yes, they have to give up players (Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green, Cam Whitmore) to make it happen. But it's obvious the organization thinks a title is doable. Trading Michael Porter Jr. to Brooklyn for Cam Johnson, bringing back Bruce Brown and getting Tim Hardaway Jr. elevates the Nuggets. The offseason will look even better if Jonas Valanciunas doesn't leave for Europe and stays with Denver. The Knicks reached a deal withMike Brown to be their new coach, and reached deals with Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele, giving Brown and the Knicks much-needed depth for a team that is desperately trying to win its first championship in more than 50 years. Lonzo Ball adds backcourt depth, Larry Nance is a solid vet and reserve Sam Merrill comes back to Cleveland on a four-year deal. Losing Norman Powell's scoring hurts, but John Collins and Brook Lopez will help offset that, while helping defensively. James Harden and Nic Batum also signed new deal and with Kawhi Leonard the Clippers should again be a quality (though aging) team capable of another 50-win season. The Timberwolves made sure they retained Julius Randle and Naz Reid, but they did not keep Nickeil Alexander-Walker. It's a solid team led by Anthony Edwards, but enough to keep pace in the West? It's LeBron James and Luka Doncic — or Luke Doncic and LeBron James if you like reading NBA tea leaves — so that gives the Lakers a chance. They're hoping to get a motivated Deandre Ayton for a full season. The Celtics made financial decisions bytrading Kristaps PorzingisandJrue Holiday, but let's see how free agency unfolds and what the Celtics add beyond Anfernee Simons and Georges Niang in trades with Portland and Atlanta. The addition of Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson plus the return of Paul Reed mitigates the departures of Tim Hardaway Jr. and Dennis Schorder. Detroit is still in the mix for other players, too, including Malik Monk. They're also hoping to return value on Chaz Lanier, the No. 37 pick in the June draft. It's a slow start to free agency as Jonathan Kuminga's restricted free agency lingers. Al Horford, another veteran, might be an addition who provides front-court help and extensive playoff experience. Losing Myles Turner hurts — especially to a conference and division rival in Milwaukee —Tyrese Haliburton's Achilles injurysustained in the NBA Finals leaves the Pacers down starters. Orlando acquired scoring and defense in the trade for Desmond Bane, signed Tyus Jones for backcourt depth, re-signed Moe Wagner and drafted Jase Richardson at No. 25 and Noah Penda at No. 32. The Magic are trying to return to the playoffs — and win a first-round series for the first time since 2010 behind Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. The Spurs were quiet in free agency — adding Luke Kornet to bolster front court depth — but they didn't need to be loud. They have a young and dynamic core, particularly at guard, with plenty of players who can feed Victor Wembanyama. The Grizzlies changed their roster, adding Cole Anthony and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope via trade, and signing Ty Jerome and Jock Landale while giving Jaren Jackson Jr. a long-term extension. They're hoping 2025 first-round pick Cedric Coward can make an immediate contribution. The Bucks waived Damian Lillard and traded Pat Connaughton, but added Myles Turner, Gary Harris and Vasilije Micic and resigned Kevin Porter Jr., Bobby Portis, Taurean Prince, Ryan Rollins, Jericho Sims and Gary Trent Jr. Will that produce enough to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo happy with the Bucks? The Hawks made solid moves:traded for Kristaps Porzingis, drafted Asa Newell and reached deals to get Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard. Is it enough to make a serious push for one of the top seeds in the East? Anthony Davis and Cooper Flagg will be fun to watch, and the Mavs signed D'Angelo Russell to help while Kyrie Irving recovers from a knee injury. A bland start to free agency indicated the Heat were trying to cook up something and improve the roster. And they did,trading for Norman Powelland his scoring punch. The Bulls traded Lonzo Ball to Cleveland for Isaac Okoro, re-signed Tre Jones and draft Noa Essengue at No. 12 in June draft. But where does that leave them in the East? Can they get a long-term deal done with restricted free agent Josh Giddey? The 76ers built around the edges, re-signing Eric Gordon and Justin Edwards and signing Trendon Watford.Selecting VJ Edgecombe with the No. 3 pickin the draft should be beneficial now and in the future. The Raptors' biggest loss in the offseason was losing longtime front office executive Masai Ujiri. But the Raptors should a roster that is more competitive with RJ Barrett, Brandon Ingram, Scottie Barnes, Jakob Poeltl and 2025 first-round lottery pick Collin Murray-Boyles. Based on their moves so far (bringing in Dennis Schroder), the Kings aren't ready to start a rebuild. The Suns lost Kevin Durantand Tyus Jones, and acquired Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green, Mark Williams. They are aiming to reach a deal with Devin Booker on a two-year, $150 million extension. Now, will they buy out Bradley Beal's contract, making him a free agent? The Wizards were active as they try to assemble a roster of young players who will be part of the future, and veterans who can help and create financial flexibility that will allow them to go after free agents in the summer of 2026. Washington traded for Cam Whitmore from Houston and drafted Tre Johnson No. 6 and also added C.J. McCollum and Kelly Olynyk. The Blazers certainly are big with three 7-footers (Donovan Clingan, Deandre Ayton, Yang Hansen), andthey traded for Jrue Holiday. The Pelicans are reshaping their roster under executive vice president of basketball operations Joe Dumars. Through the draft, they landed Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen, and via trades they landed Saddiq Bey and Jordan Poole, and via free agency they signed Kevon Looney. TheNetstraded for Michael Porter Jr. and Terance Mann, re-signed Day'Ron Sharpe and Ziaire Williams, and drafted five players inthe first round, including Egor Demin at No. 8. The Jazz are focused on a youth movement, so this free agency was just as much about shedding certain players than adding. The Hornets acquired Collin Sexton in a trade with Utah and Pat Connaughton in a trade with Milwaukee, and added Mason Plumlee, Tre Mann and Spencer Dinwiddie. Charlotte also had a solid draft (Kon Knueppel at No. 4, Liam McNeeley at No. 29 and Ryan Kalkbrenner at No. 34) in an attempt to boost its rebuild. The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news fast.Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:NBA power rankings: Post-free agency and draft team ratings
NBA power rankings: How every team stacks up after draft and free agency The pace ofNBAfree agency has eased, with teams mostly settled head...
