The NBA Season kicks off Tuesday, Oct 21, 2025, 5:30 p.m. Eastern! We are also still a few weeks away from the opening of training camp. So, why don’t we do a way too early NBA Power Rankings?
Let’s talk hoops.
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2025-2026 Way Too Early NBA Power Rankings
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
Last year’s champs bring back the same squad. Do they repeat? Who knows but Nikola Topic looked good in Summer league so the rich are just getting richer. Also, the fact that this team is so young should scare everyone. They could improve internally by just continuing the regular development of their young players. Even Shai is still only 27-years-old. Alex Caruso remains the oldest rostered player at 31. The road to the NBA championship goes through Oklahoma City.
2. Houston Rockets
If you’ve been watching the 2025 EuroBasket then you’ve seen that Turkey’s Alperen Sengun might be making yet another step in his development. He is no longer baby Jokic. No, he’s become something else and deserves his own nickname. Ime Udoka crafted an elite defence last year that essentially swapped out Dillon Brooks for Hall of Fame bound Kevin Durant. They added additional depth in Clint Capela and Reed Sheppard should improve. Houston doesn’t have a problem but the rest of the league might.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers
This team won 64 games last year and their offence was humming in the playoffs. And yet, incredibly, they lost to the Pacers. NBA fans and pundits are now wondering in Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley are really a long term fit next to one another. There was already debate if Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland can function defensively as a backcourt. Amazingly, they won 64 games but now they’ve got more question marks than ever. There is one assurance though. The Cleveland Cavaliers will still be a very good team this year.
4. Denver Nuggets
The best player on the planet will be surrounded by a few more weapons this year in the Mile High City. Bruce Brown returns, Cameron Johnson and Tim Hardaway Jr. bring elite level shooting, and Jonas Valanciunas will backup the Serbian Superstar. They also have a brand new head coach. Things are new and shiny in Denver. If Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray stay healthy and play well then Denver is a serious contender once again.
5. New York Knicks
The Mecca of Basketball finally has a contender. They were so close to the NBA Finals last year that they are mostly running it back with the same roster. However, they did add the Frenchman Guerschon Yabusele and walking bucket Jordan Clarkson who has plenty left in the tank. The Garden faithful will be screaming out plenty of “Bing Bongs” after games this year.
6. Minnesota Timberwolves
All the key pieces will be returning and they’ve been competitive for a few years now. They did not make any large splashes in the offseason. Fortunately, the roster is young enough that they can have real improvement just from within. The Ant-Man himself probably has another gear to go. The young phenom greatly increased his output from three last year. I’m excited to see what the former first overall pick adds to his game this year.
7. Los Angeles Lakers
The King and Skinny Luka. LA LA Land is going to be good but not great and that will frustrate basketball fans but we’re going to be watching every night anyways. The addition of Ayton is going to be great for Doncic, they also added former DPOY in Marcus Smart, and Jake LaRavia is an underrated scorer in the NBA. JJ Reddick will also have gained a year of head coaching experience. Fans probably wanted another big trade but I do think LA had a very good offseason.
Also, if you do want that trade? Kleber and Vincent make north of $20 million combined and if you pair that with Austin Reaves you’ve got around $35 million worth of salary you can move for a disgruntled star. Rob Pelinka could be calling Sacramento for LA-born DeRozan and Lavine.
8. Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic did some magic by adding the big bicep man himself. Desmond Bane comes to town joining budding young superstars Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Bane will bring a shooting touch that was desperately needed last year. Jamahl Mosley’s team was very good on the defensive side of the basketball and the addition of Bane’s shooting as well as his playmaking has many thinking Orlando takes a leap this year.
9. Los Angeles Clippers
Kawhi Leonard is embroiled in a scandal that could end up with him having his contract voided and the Los Angeles Clippers to be heavily punished by having draft picks taken away. Before all this came out many were high on the other LA team. Now? Who knows what Steve Ballmer’s team will get up to this year. I bet Norman Powell is happy he got out of town.
10. Detroit Pistons
I love Jalen Duren and truly believe he becomes something special in the association. This team is young but they’re hungry and incredibly athletic. They were 44-38 last year and finished as the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference and avoided the Play-In tournament. With the conference in flux with injuries galore, expect the Pistons to improve on that record, and likely that playoff seeding. Cade Cunningham is the real deal and looks poised to lead Detroit Basketball into a new and prosperous era.
11. Golden State Warriors
Jimmy Butler is Steph Curry’s new sidekick. It’s not Batman and Robin more like Batman and Superman. Unfortunately, this team is dealing with the giant headache that is the Jonathon Kuminga restricted free agency. The two sides haven’t been able to come to terms and Kuminga has not accepted the qualifying tender as of writing. The saga has kept the Warriors from making other moves. Bad start for an aging team. Steve Kerr has also lost the confidence of some NBA pundits. Should be an interesting season in the Bay to say the least.
12. Milwaukee Bucks
They did not do enough to improve around the Greek Freak. I am worried about this team. Really worried. Myles Turner is good but right now Giannis Antetokounmpo is the only All-Star level player on this roster and that is not good.
13. Atlanta Hawks
Kristaps Porzingis heads to Georgia. Trae Young is still the big dog in town but now he’s got plenty of help in the Latvian Laser, Jalen Johnson, and former first overall pick Zacharrie Risacher — who actually looked like he might have grown to 6’10. They also have the Great Barrier Thief in Dyson Daniels and added two very good role players in Nickeil Alexander-Walker and sharpshooter Luke Kennard. If the locker room gels around Trae Young and stays healthy then look out for the Hawks.
14. San Antonio Spurs
Everyone thought Kristaps Tingus Pingus was the holy unicorn that would upend basketball but it is the Frenchman not the Latvian. Victor Wembanyama is one healthy season away from being in the argument for best player in the NBA. I mean that. De’Aaron fox was brought in to become the lead guard but he’s got plenty of help in prospects Castle and Harper. And finally, they added to undervalued centres, Kelly Olynyk and Luke Kornet, both former Celtics will help this young team win.
15. Miami Heat
Stormin’ Norman Powell is now in Miami. The 32-year-old is a rarity coming off his best season after crossing over thirty. This team has a quartet of guards from serviceable to All-Star level. Their young wings should improve. Furthermore, the pairing of Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware seemed to ooze with chemistry. Erik Spoelstra gets the most out of any roster and he has plenty to work with this year.
16. Memphis Grizzlies
Ja Morant has a new coach but it is hard for me to be optimistic about this team. I think they’ll be good not great. Too much has happened to the young point guard and it might be time for a change of scenery in my opinion. Memphis’ front office has drafted very well of late so there’s a possibility of a youth movement. However, I shouldn’t get my hopes up for a trade because they just gave Jaren Jackson Jr. an absolute bag.
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17. Dallas Mavericks
If Kyrie Irving was healthy they would have been higher on this list. Jason Kidd lost Luka but gained Cooper. Anthony Davis is also still an elite two way threat that will finally be playing his preferred position. There’s a lot to try and digest with this team but to put it plainly they’ll compete every night. If they can actually rise to the status of true contender when Kyrie returns remains to be seen. Also, let’s not forget Dereck Lively II is still only 21-years-old and he probably has another step to take.
18. Indiana Pacers
They’ll be without their floor general for the entire season as Tyrese Haliburton makes his return from the achilles rupture in the finals. They will debut a Canadian backcourt duo of Andrew Nembhard and Benedict Mathurin. They still have Rick Carlisle, their impressive system and execution, as well as Pascal Siakam. And yet, it’s easy to be skeptical of Indiana’s season. I’m probably placing them lower than I should.
19. Boston Celtics
No Tatum. New ownership. A gutted roster. Jaylen Brown just said “You never know, we’ll see,” when asked if he’d ever go to his hometown Atlanta Hawk. Let’s not talk about this.
20. Toronto Raptors
Raptors might be good this year. They have a great home court advantage, multiple All-Stars on the roster, and several prospects that could make a leap this year. Newly-acquired Brandon Ingram, franchise cornerstone Scottie Barnes, and Canadian RJ Barrett will lead the charge. However, what needs to be noted is that if the other guys (Jamal Shead, Grady Dick) take a step forward in their careers, then the Raptors should easily compete for a sixth seed out East. Especially with the Pacers and Celtics seasons in question.
21. Chicago Bulls
They finally signed Josh Giddey. The Australian guard was inked to a 4-year $100 million dollar contract after his stellar play post-All-Star last year. Giddey put up 21.2 pts, 10.7 rebs, and 9.3 asts after the All-Star break. He also shot an incredible 46% from three during that time. His shooting touch from distance has often been criticized and was cited as one reason that Oklahoma City moved on from the promising prospect. The Bulls organization aims to compete for the playoffs every year and this year should be no different for Billy Donovan’s Bulls.
22. Sacramento Kings
Sacramento is in flux. They have veterans that are conducive to winning basketball. Unfortunately, the puzzle pieces don’t fit and everyone is north of 30-years-old. DeMar DeRozan, Zach Lavine, and Domantis Sabonis will not finish the season as a trio in purple. Ownership and front office need to find a clear vision for this year.
23. Phoenix Suns
The Valley could get hot this winter and I really do believe they have an outside chance to make the Western Conference Play-In Tournament. Devin Booker is an All-NBA level player who has been to the finals, Dillon Brooks hasn’t been on a bad team since his rookie year, and they brought in Jordan Ott to be their new head coach. Ott spent 6 years in Brooklyn outlasting 3 head coaches before heading to the Lakers under Darvin Ham. Ott is known as an offensive innovator having a heavy hand in last years 64-18 Cleveland Cavaliers. Furthermore, the front office addressed their center depth. Khaman Maluach, Nick Richards, and Mark Williams are the new anchors in town.
Lastly, teams with Ott on staff having a winning pedigree as his teams have made the playoffs in 10 of his 12 seasons in the association.
24. Philadelphia 76ers
Who knows what happens with his team. They are a true enigma thanks to Paul George and Joel Embiid.
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25. Portland Trail Blazers
Pesky Portland. They have all the pieces and now believe that it is their time to compete. They have bonafide superstar prospects, a great coach, and a solid veteran presence in that locker room. The only reason I’m starting them this low is so I can watch them climb the ladder during the 82 game season.
26. New Orleans Pelicans
I don’t like this team. I wanted to rank them even lower. They have a chance to be bottom three in the association. They have intriguing young pieces but I just don’t see the vision from the front office. Zion is now 25-years-old and while an immense talent he has struggled to win. He has a career winning percentage of 50.9% (109-105). The rest of the pieces look good but the on court products says they don’t fit. Trade the others and starts the Jeremiah Fears era.
27. Charlote Hornets
This team is simply never good and LaMelo Ball struggles to maintain his health. Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel, Liam McNeely, and even Tre Mann are very talented but there is not much on this roster that inspires confidence. Perhaps Taj Gibson and Jusuf Nurkic can bring a veteran prescence to the locker room. However, it still feels like it is going to be another long season for the Hornets Faithful.
28. Brooklyn Nets
Jordi Fernandez is building something in Brooklyn. They became just the first team in NBA history to draft five players in this years first round. This team will be young but their head coach always ensures they’re feisty. Here are the 5 players who heard their names called by Adam Silver:
Egor Dëmin — 8th overall (Russian point guard, BYU)
Nolan Traoré — 19th overall (French point guard, Saint-Quentin)
Ben Saraf — 26th overall (Israeli shooting guard, Ratiopharm Ulm)
Danny Wolf — 27th overall (Forward/Center, Michigan, with Israeli ties)
Drake Powell — 22nd overall (UNC wing, athletic two-way guard/forward)
29. Washington Wizards
Their young French duo is still learning the game, and they’re joined by AJ Johnson and Cam Whitmore — giving them a plethora of potential from several positions. However, not much of it will be realized this season as the roster is incredibly raw. OKC Thunder are an outlier winning with such a young roster. In reality, young teams struggle to compete for the full 82. Still, we’ll probably see flashes from them all season.
Cam Whitmore will be a great target to start the season as Bilal Coulibaly heals from surgery.
30. Utah Jazz
Another young team with not much hope to compete. It is worth noting that the Jazz hired Austin Ainge. The son of the legendary Danny Ainge, he is now their new President of Basketball Operations, this grants him with the final say on personnel and the roster. As the younger Ainge puts his stamp on this team expect there to be plenty of changes. Lauri Markkannen is likely gone by the trade deadline.
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