Way-too-early NBA Power Rankings: OKC at No. 1? Where's Houston?

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JWill: Grizzlies should powerfully see trading Ja Morant this offseason (1:05)

Jay Williams breaks down wherefore the Grizzlies should see trading Ja Morant aft already moving Desmond Bane. (1:05)

  • ESPN

Jun 22, 2025, 10:50 PM ET

The 2024-25 NBA play has officially travel to a adjacent arsenic the Oklahoma City Thunder is crowned the caller champions of the league and assertion their archetypal NBA rubric aft defeating the Indiana Pacers successful an breathtaking seven-game series.

After making their archetypal Finals quality successful implicit 10 years, the Thunder clasp the apical spot successful our Way-Too-Early rankings. But aft an unpredictable postseason, wherever did each 30 teams extremity up arsenic we caput into the summer?

As we adjacent the doorway connected different breathtaking NBA season, our writers bespeak connected each 30 teams, what to expect this offseason, and enactment down the groundwork for what should beryllium different competitive, unpredictable 2025-26 season

Note: Team rankings are based connected wherever members of our sheet (ESPN's Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Michael C. Wright, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin, Ohm Youngmisuk, Chris Herring, Kevin Pelton and Zach Kram ) deliberation teams beryllium aft the 2024-25 NBA season.

Jump to a team:
ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE
DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND
LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN
NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX
POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTA | WAS

1. Oklahoma City Thunder

  • 2024-25 record: 68-14

  • Previous rank: 1

  • Result: NBA Finals champions

  • 2025 draught picks: No. 15 (via MIA), No. 24 (via LAC), No. 44 (via ATL)

We mightiness request to get utilized to watching the Thunder play successful June. Oklahoma City won the title with a halfway that consists of ascending talent. MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is conscionable entering his premier astatine 26. All-NBA sidekick Jalen Williams, 24, and apt aboriginal All-Star Chet Holmgren, 23, are inactive scratching the aboveground of their potential. All 3 of Oklahoma City's foundational pieces volition apt motion lucrative, semipermanent declaration extensions this summer. The Thunder volition adhd a lottery prime to the premix adjacent play successful defender Nikola Topic, who had a redshirt rookie play portion recovering from a genu injury. GM Sam Presti has to fig retired what to bash with the 2 second-round picks the Thunder person successful this draft, portion of Oklahoma City's heavy trove of draught assets successful the coming years. -- Tim MacMahon


2. Minnesota Timberwolves

  • 2024-25 record: 49-33

  • Previous rank: 11

  • Result: Eliminated successful Western Conference finals

  • 2025 draught picks: No. 17 (via DET), No. 31 (via UTAH)

The Wolves looked similar a contender until they ran into the buzzsaw that is the Thunder successful the league finals, losing successful 5 games.

Because Julius Randle and Naz Reid some person subordinate options for adjacent season, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker is simply a escaped cause this summer, the Wolves person immoderate large roster decisions to make. -- Dave McMenamin


3. Denver Nuggets

  • 2024-25 record: 50-32

  • Previous rank: 7

  • Result: Eliminated successful 2nd round

  • 2025 draught picks: None

The Nuggets made their biggest changes earlier the extremity of the regular play erstwhile they fired manager Michael Malone and wide manager Calvin Booth. That sparked a tally to the 2nd circular wherever Denver mislaid successful 7 games to Oklahoma City aft Aaron Gordon was severely constricted by a hamstring injury. Though the Nuggets mightiness wonderment however acold they could person gone had they been healthy, they besides request to amended the roster astir Nikola Jokic. After David Adelman was officially named caput coach, helium said the Nuggets needed to get successful amended shape and to proceed to absorption connected defense.

Denver needs much depth, particularly to assistance triumph the non-Jokic minutes. And with Russell Westbrook declining his subordinate enactment and entering escaped agency, Denver mightiness person to find different seasoned sparkplug disconnected the bench. With lone a first-round prime successful 2031 oregon 2032 disposable to trade, Michael Porter Jr. is astir apt their champion commercialized enactment if they determine to marque a splash successful the offseason. -- Ohm Youngmisuk


4. Cleveland Cavaliers

  • 2024-25 record: 64-18

  • Previous rank: 2

  • Result: Eliminated successful 2nd round

  • 2025 draught picks: No. 49 (via MIL), No. 58

Cleveland's magical play came to an abrupt halt astatine the hands of the Indiana Pacers, who went connected to triumph the Eastern Conference crown aft shocking the hoops satellite with occurrence comebacks against New York and Oklahoma City.

Part of that aboriginal exit had to bash with defender Darius Garland, who averaged 18 points connected 42% shooting (28.6% from 3) successful the playoffs aft averaging 20.6 points connected 47.2% (40.1% from 3) during the regular season. Garland underwent country connected his near large toe, which constricted him successful the postseason, but the Cavs accidental helium is expected to beryllium acceptable for grooming camp. -- McMenamin


5. Houston Rockets

  • 2024-25 record: 52-30

  • Previous rank: 4

  • Result: Eliminated successful archetypal round

  • 2025 draught picks: No. 10 (via PHX), No. 59 (via OKC)

The Rockets showed they're conscionable an offensive engine distant from making a deeper tally successful the postseason. The nine had hoped 1 of its young, talented players would measurement into that role. Instead, they added Kevin Durant connected the last time of the NBA season, sending Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and draught picks -- including the No. 10 successful this week's draught -- backmost to the Suns. Durant and manager Ime Udoka worked unneurotic portion with the Brooklyn Nets, and the 15-time All-Star adds a seasoned person to a young squad that finished No. 2 successful the West but fell successful the archetypal circular to the seasoned Warriors. -- Michael C. Wright


6. Indiana Pacers

  • 2024-25 record: 50-32

  • Previous rank: 8

  • Result: Lost successful the NBA Finals

  • 2025 draught picks: No. 54

The Pacers were 1 triumph distant from 1 of the astir improbable upsets successful NBA Finals history, but the aftermath of Tyrese Haliburton's Achilles wounded puts a large question people connected 1 of the league's astir breathtaking teams. Haliburton went to the floor connected a non-contact injury successful Game 7 of the Finals and did not return, though the squad has yet to uncover the severity of the injury. The Pacers made an improbable tally done the Eastern Conference playoffs en way to their archetypal Finals quality successful 25 years, and person a young halfway that volition marque them arsenic well-positioned arsenic anyone to vie for years to come, though Haliburton's '25-26 play is astir surely successful jeopardy. -- Jamal Collier


7. New York Knicks

  • 2024-25 record: 51-31

  • Previous rank: 5

  • Result: Eliminated successful Eastern Conference finals

  • 2025 draught picks: No. 50 (via MEM)

In his connection announcing the firing of manager Tom Thibodeau, Knicks president Leon Rose wrote successful the opening sentence, "Our enactment is singularly focused connected winning a title for our fans." That line, and the determination to oust Thibodeau 3 days aft New York's deepest playoff tally successful 25 years, told you everything you request to cognize astir the club's expectations going forward, careless of who it hires to instrumentality the coaching job. The Knicks reached the league finals with a highly talented starting 5 -- albeit 1 that was outscored during the 2nd fractional of the play and successful the playoffs -- and a bladed bench. One radical oregon the other, if not both, volition request an upgrade to triumph it each adjacent season. -- Chris Herring


8. Golden State Warriors

  • 2024-25 record: 48-34

  • Previous rank: 10

  • Result: Eliminated successful 2nd round

  • 2025 draught picks: No. 41 (via MIA)

The Warriors spell into the offseason wondering however acold they could person gone had Stephen Curry's hamstring remained healthy. With that successful mind, the Warriors privation to adhd astir Curry, Jimmy Butler III and Draymond Green. They request much size, much two-way wings who tin sprout and much depth.

Jonathan Kuminga volition beryllium a restricted escaped cause and GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. said the Warriors privation Kuminga back. But Kuminga's playing clip was inconsistent each season, though helium played immoderate of his champion hoops successful the second-round bid against Minnesota -- helium averaged 24.2 points successful Games 2 done 5 with Curry out. Coach Steve Kerr has said that if Kuminga returns, helium volition perpetrate to playing him with Curry, Butler and Green to spot if it tin enactment amended aboriginal successful the season. The Warriors tin lucifer offers oregon perchance enactment retired a sign-and-trade. -- Youngmisuk


9. Los Angeles Lakers

  • 2024-25 record: 50-32

  • Previous rank: 6

  • Result: Eliminated successful archetypal round

  • 2025 draught picks: No. 55

After not playing Jaxson Hayes successful their series-ending Game 5 loss to Minnesota successful the archetypal round, the offseason precedence for L.A. remains uncovering a center.

They'll person the taxpayer's midlevel objection disposable (approximately $5.6 million) to fortify the position. Rui Hachimura ($18.3 million), Gabe Vincent ($11.5 million) and Maxi Kleber ($11 million) are each connected expiring contracts, arsenic well, giving L.A. immoderate wage to enactment with successful the commercialized market. -- McMenamin


10. LA Clippers

  • 2024-25 record: 50-32

  • Previous rank: 9

  • Result: Eliminated successful archetypal round

  • 2025 draught picks: No. 30 (via OKC), No. 51 (via MIN)

The Clippers exceeded expectations past play aft letting Paul George locomotion successful escaped bureau and had a much balanced and amended defense-minded team. James Harden produced astatine a third-team All-NBA level portion Kawhi Leonard was out. Ivica Zubac emerged arsenic a unit wrong astatine some ends and Norman Powell played similar an All-Star successful the archetypal fractional of the season. Harden has a subordinate option, and if helium becomes a escaped agent, the Clippers astir apt volition look to bring backmost the constituent defender with a woody aligned with the 2 years near connected Leonard's deal. The Clippers volition look for ways to amended and stay competitory and volition bash that by seeing what transpires successful the commercialized marketplace this offseason. -- Youngmisuk


11. Detroit Pistons

  • 2024-25 record: 44-38

  • Previous rank: 14

  • Result: Eliminated successful archetypal round

  • 2025 draught picks: No. 37 (via TOR)

The 2024-25 play was an unreserved occurrence for the Pistons: They accrued their triumph full by 30 (from 14 to 44), gave the Knicks each they could grip successful a adjacent first-round playoff nonaccomplishment and saw Cade Cunningham marque the All-NBA squad for the archetypal clip successful his career. The franchise volition trust connected its young players to support taking steps forward. Cunningham volition request to trim his turnovers and amended his scoring efficiency. Jaden Ivey should bounce backmost from a breached leg, Jalen Duren volition amended his defence and Ausar Thompson should make into much of an violative force, similar his duplicate member successful Houston.-- Zach Kram


12. Boston Celtics

  • 2024-25 record: 61-21

  • Previous rank: 3

  • Result: Eliminated successful 2nd round

  • 2025 draught picks: No. 28, No. 32 (via WAS)

In the aftermath of Jayson Tatum's Achilles tear, determination are fewer teams with a much consequential offseason successful beforehand of them than Boston. The existent roster puts the squad $23 cardinal implicit the 2nd apron, and shedding wage could hap successful aggregate moves. The Celtics person to determine which absorption they privation to spell with a roster that won a title successful 2024 and volition astir apt look antithetic adjacent season. -- Tim Bontemps


13. Orlando Magic

  • 2024-25 record: 41-41

  • Previous rank: 15

  • Result: Eliminated successful play-in tournament

  • 2025 draught picks: No. 25 (via DEN), No. 46, No. 57 (via BOS)

The Magic are done waiting patiently for a dilatory ascent up the Eastern Conference hierarchy; they're acceptable for a elephantine leap up the standings. After injuries ruined their 2024-25 season, with Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs sharing the tribunal for lone six games, they traded 4 unprotected first-round picks, a lightly protected swap and 2 relation players for Desmond Bane. A vocation 41% 3-point shooter, Bane should boost an discourtesy that ranked 30th successful 3-point makes and accuracy successful 2024-25, portion splitting playmaking duties with Orlando's incumbent stars. -- Kram


14. Dallas Mavericks

  • 2024-25 record: 39-43

  • Previous rank: 17

  • Result: Eliminated successful play-in tournament

  • 2025 draught picks: No. 1

The Mavs' semipermanent concerns -- connected the tribunal and financially -- successful the aftermath of the Luka Doncic woody were mitigated by their astonishing lottery luck to onshore Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 pick. He volition get successful the NBA with a accidental to triumph instantly alongside Anthony Davis and yet Kyrie Irving, who volition beryllium retired astatine slightest the 2025 portion of adjacent play portion recovering from a torn ACL.

Finding a replacement for Irving who tin modulation into a cardinal reserve relation upon his instrumentality volition beryllium 1 precedence for Mavs GM Nico Harrison. Dennis Schroder, Malcolm Brogdon, Tyus Jones and Chris Paul are among the possibilities if Dallas fills that void via escaped agency. The Mavs besides anticipation to enactment retired a caller woody for Irving, who has a determination to marque astir his $44 cardinal subordinate option. -- Tim MacMahon


15. Memphis Grizzlies

  • 2024-25 record: 48-34

  • Previous rank: 12

  • Result: Eliminated successful archetypal round

  • 2025 draught picks: No. 16 (via ORL), No. 48 (via GS), No. 56 (via HOU)

A pugnacious agelong precocious led to upheaval connected the coaching staff that changed Memphis' benignant of play successful the postseason. Now that the nine has taken the interim tag disconnected Tuomas Iisalo's title, the manager has a accidental to walk the full offseason implementing his systems. General manager Zach Kleiman has expressed assurance successful Iisalo moving forward. But the halfway duo of Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. has won lone 1 playoff series. Memphis precocious traded Desmond Bane to Orlando for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, 4 picks, and a prime swap. It appears much moves are connected the mode arsenic the Grizzlies are looking to retool. -- Wright

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1:33

Shams: Giannis commercialized could marque for the craziest offseason ever

Shams Charania tells "The Pat McAfee Show" this offseason could beryllium wild, with a imaginable Giannis Antetokounmpo determination starring the headlines.


16. Milwaukee Bucks

  • 2024-25 record: 48-34

  • Previous rank: 13

  • Result: Eliminated successful archetypal round

  • 2025 draught picks: No. 47 (via DET)

Giannis Antetokounmpo's aboriginal successful Milwaukee could beryllium 1 of the biggest subplots successful the league this summer. The Bucks mislaid successful the archetypal circular of the playoffs for the 3rd consecutive season, a five-game dismantling by the Pacers that highlighted however acold the squad sits from title contention. Combine that nonaccomplishment with an Achilles wounded to Damian Lillard and the Bucks person a batch to fig retired this offseason, including what benignant of squad they tin physique to fulfill Antetokounmpo's tendency to vie for championships successful Milwaukee oregon whether his clip with the Bucks is coming to an end. -- Collier


17. San Antonio Spurs

  • 2024-25 record: 34-48

  • Previous rank: 23

  • Result: Missed postseason

  • 2025 draught picks: No. 2, No. 14 (via ATL), No. 38

Gregg Popovich calls himself "El Jefe" (the boss). But Popovich is nary longer the manager arsenic Mitch Johnson heads into his archetypal offseason astatine the helm. With Victor Wembanyama entering his 3rd season, Stephon Castle coming disconnected being voted Rookie of the Year and the commercialized deadline summation of De'Aaron Fox, the Spurs participate a pivotal offseason with expectations successful 2025-26 to beforehand to the postseason for the archetypal clip since 2018-19. Sitting with the No. 2 prime successful the upcoming draft, the Spurs are expected to adhd talent, specified arsenic imaginable Dylan Harper, to an already talented young group. -- Wright


18. Miami Heat

  • 2024-25 record: 37-45

  • Previous rank: 19

  • Result: Eliminated successful archetypal round

  • 2025 draught picks: No. 20 (via GS)

After again landing successful the play-in tourney -- lone to beryllium routed by the Cavaliers successful the archetypal circular -- the Heat person a batch of enactment to bash to instrumentality to the level of competitiveness the franchise has been accustomed to implicit the past 30 years nether Pat Riley's leadership. But, it's astir apt going to instrumentality a batch much than 1 offseason for Miami to adjacent that gap, fixed however acold distant they look. -- Bontemps


19. Atlanta Hawks

  • 2024-25 record: 40-42

  • Previous rank: 18

  • Result: Eliminated successful play-in tournament

  • 2025 draught picks: No. 13 (via SAC), No. 22 (via LAL)

Fresh disconnected Atlanta's beforehand bureau shakeup, the team's brass has a sizable determination connected its sheet regarding four-time All-Star Trae Young, who's eligible for an hold this summer. He's coming disconnected a 3rd consecutive play successful which helium averaged 25 points and 10 assists oregon better. But the crushed determination has to beryllium astatine slightest immoderate hesitation earlier offering different max woody is simple: Since the team's 2020 astonishment tally to the league finals, the Hawks -- who've been successful the play-in tourney 4 seasons successful a enactment -- haven't been peculiarly adjacent to breaking done again, adjacent with Young's efforts.

He's not the easiest subordinate to physique astir connected defense, and his commercialized worth astir apt would bespeak that reality, which raises the question of whether it's worthy striking a much nuanced woody with him that allows much flexibility to find that roster balance. Atlanta has a decent commencement successful that respect with Dyson Daniels, who led the NBA successful steals and deflections by acold past season. -- Herring


20. Sacramento Kings

  • 2024-25 record: 40-42

  • Previous rank: 16

  • Result: Eliminated successful play-in tournament

  • 2025 draught picks: No. 42 (via CHI)

The Kings volition person much clip to rebalance this summertime aft remaking their roster by swapping De'Aaron Fox for Zach LaVine conscionable earlier the commercialized deadline. New GM Scott Perry called the deficiency of a existent constituent defender an "obvious need." How Sacramento gets 1 is little obvious. Sacramento sent a lottery prime to Atlanta to implicit the Kevin Huerter commercialized and mightiness not person entree to the full non-taxpayer midlevel exception. It'll beryllium connected caller contracts for reserves Keon Ellis (who would beryllium unrestricted adjacent summertime if the Kings workout his squad option), Jake LaRavia and Trey Lyles. -- Kevin Pelton


21. Philadelphia 76ers

  • 2024-25 record: 24-58

  • Previous rank: 26

  • Result: Missed postseason

  • 2025 draught picks: No. 3, No. 35

Philadelphia got fortunate successful the lottery, landing the No. 3 prime and keeping its top-six protected selection. Now, arsenic a result, the absorption for the 76ers volition not lone beryllium connected who they prime with that pick, but whether a roster devastated by wounded past play tin bounce back. Star Joel Embiid played successful lone 19 games past season, and the 76ers besides played without Tyrese Maxey, Paul George and rising rookie Jared McCain due to the fact that of season-ending injuries. -- Bontemps


22. Portland Trail Blazers

  • 2024-25 record: 36-46

  • Previous rank: 22

  • Result: Missed postseason

  • 2025 draught picks: No. 11

After extending the contracts of manager Chauncey Billups and GM Joe Cronin, the Blazers are hoping to parlay their 23-18 2nd fractional into playoff contention successful 2025-26. Portland has developed a competitory halfway of young endowment led by forwards Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara. Still, the Blazers' top-three antiaircraft standing successful that span mightiness beryllium pugnacious to maintain. Opponents changeable conscionable 34% connected 3s successful those games, 2nd lowest successful the league, and that typically doesn't transportation over. Denver, Miami and Washington gave up the lowest 3-point percentages successful the 2023-24 2nd half. None ranked amended than 14th successful 2024-25. -- Pelton


23. Chicago Bulls

  • 2024-25 record: 39-43

  • Previous rank: 20

  • Result: Eliminated successful play-in tournament

  • 2025 draught picks: No. 12, No. 45 (via SAC)

The Bulls person finished with the aforesaid grounds successful consecutive years and person mislaid successful the play-in tourney to the Heat successful 3 consecutive years. But don't expect large changes successful Chicago this offseason. The Bulls volition look to re-sign Josh Giddey, who volition beryllium a restricted escaped agent, and anticipation to physique disconnected a beardown last 2 months with their postulation of young players astir him, including past year's lottery pick, Matas Buzelis and the No. 12 prime successful this year's draft. -- Collier


24. Phoenix Suns

  • 2024-25 record: 36-46

  • Previous rank: 21

  • Result: Missed postseason

  • 2025 draught picks: No. 29 (via CLE), No. 52 (via DEN)

Phoenix's thorough coaching hunt concluded with the hiring of 40-year-old Jordan Ott, a first-time caput manager -- and the team's 4th successful the past 4 years. Though Ott was captious to the Cavaliers' stellar 2024-25 play and is considered a agleam young caput successful the sport, helium volition person to fig retired however to equilibrium 3 ball-dominant guards aft Kevin Durant was traded to Houston successful a bundle centered connected Jalen Green, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Green volition beryllium joining a squad with Devin Booker and Bradley Beal already connected the roster -- and we already saw however that trio worked with Durant, a amended off-ball subordinate than Green is. -- McMenamin


25. New Orleans Pelicans

  • 2024-25 record: 21-61

  • Previous rank: 27

  • Result: Missed postseason

  • 2025 draught picks: No. 7, No. 23 (via IND)

Joe Dumars said helium has spoken extensively to Zion Williamson astir accountability and the work that comes with being the look of the franchise. Availability is simply a portion of that, too, arsenic Williamson has played successful 70 games lone erstwhile successful his 5 seasons. The Pels person the draught assets and controllable contracts to plaything a important trade. Will Trey Murphy III and Herbert Jones instrumentality by the commencement of adjacent season? With Dejounte Murray expected to beryllium retired until January, the Pels astir apt volition beryllium looking successful the draught oregon escaped bureau to adhd a pb defender and a large man. -- Wright


26. Toronto Raptors

  • 2024-25 record: 30-52

  • Previous rank: 24

  • Result: Missed postseason

  • 2025 draught picks: No. 9, No. 39 (via POR)

Over the past 18 months, the Raptors person wholly reshaped their roster. But arsenic OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet person near to go portion of elite teams successful New York, Indiana and Houston, respectively, the question is whether Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett and the remainder of the Raptors connected the roster tin instrumentality the franchise to the apical of the East. Or if Masai Ujiri and his beforehand bureau volition effort to marque different splash this summer. -- Bontemps


27. Brooklyn Nets

  • 2024-25 record: 26-56

  • Previous rank: 25

  • Result: Missed postseason

  • 2025 draught picks: No. 8, No. 19 (via MIL), No. 26 (via NYK), No. 27 (via HOU), No. 36

The Nets could determination Cameron Johnson, a skilled two-way guardant who'd seemingly acceptable with immoderate contender, for further draught superior successful this rhythm oregon a aboriginal one.

The different subordinate they'll request to determine connected is 23-year-old restricted escaped cause Cam Thomas, who averaged 24 points this past play arsenic 1 of the league's astir effortless scorers, but is inactive moving to physique retired his playmaking and antiaircraft skills.

Brooklyn would similar to beryllium progressive successful immoderate aboriginal conversations involving Giannis Antetokounmpo should helium go available. But with the chatter suggesting that he's staying put, so, too, mightiness the Nets' assets -- for now. -- Herring


28. Charlotte Hornets

  • 2024-25 record: 19-63

  • Previous rank: 28

  • Result: Missed postseason

  • 2025 draught picks: No. 4, No. 33, No. 34 (via NO)

As uncomfortable arsenic it is, the speech has to beryllium had: Is the franchise inactive intelligibly viewing 23-year-old LaMelo Ball arsenic a cornerstone? This past play was the 3rd consecutive successful which helium failed to look successful astatine slightest 50 games. He besides logged vocation worsts successful field-goal percentage, 3-point percent and effectual tract extremity rate. Coach Charles Lee would surely emotion to spot his halfway unneurotic much often, arsenic helium got lone six games with his starting 5 of Ball, Josh Green, Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges and Mark Williams this past season. -- Herring


29. Utah Jazz

  • 2024-25 record: 17-65

  • Previous rank: 30

  • Result: Missed postseason

  • 2025 draught picks: No. 5, No. 21 (MIN), No. 43 (via DAL), No. 53 (via LAC)

New president of hoops operations Austin Ainge was adamant that the Jazz, who landed the No. 5 prime aft having the league's worst grounds past season, would not vessel by manipulating minutes oregon utilizing originative licence with the wounded report. That does not needfully mean that winning volition beryllium Utah's precedence adjacent season.

The Jazz listened to offers for Lauri Markkanen earlier signing the one-time All-Star guardant to a five-year, $238 cardinal hold past summer. With Utah aboriginal successful a rebuild, could the 28-year-old beryllium had for the close priced woody successful the commercialized market? The Jazz are expected to proceed talking commercialized possibilities for veterans Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson and John Collins. -- MacMahon


30. Washington Wizards

  • 2024-25 record: 18-64

  • Previous rank: 29

  • Result: Missed postseason

  • 2025 draught picks: No. 6, No. 18 (via MEM), No. 40 (via PHX)

Watching Oklahoma City successful the NBA Finals gives the Wizards the blueprint for what a agelong and implicit rebuild tin look like. But an 18-win play with the second-worst grounds successful the league past play didn't output a top-three prime but alternatively the No. 6 pick.

GM Will Dawkins, who began his vocation successful OKC, says the enactment has gathering blocks successful young players specified arsenic Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, Bub Carrington and Kyshawn George. And they person the sixth and 18th picks successful the archetypal round. Depending connected what the Wizards privation to do, they person immoderate seasoned players to perchance commercialized successful Jordan Poole, Khris Middleton and Marcus Smart. But Washington besides could opt to support immoderate experienced players to assistance mentor their young talent, and besides assistance them beryllium a small much competitory to assistance tummy what could beryllium different agelong season.

The Wizards person mislaid 67 and 64 games the past 2 seasons. -- Youngmisuk

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