With the 2024-25 season in the books, our latest NBA power rankings offer an evaluation of all 30 clubs heading into the summer. Without further ado, let’s review how every club is or should approach this offseason to improve their rosters for next season.
Also Read: Ranking the 50 best players in the NBA right now
10 best NBA teams heading into the 2025 playoffs
1. Oklahoma City Thunder (Last Week: 2)
The Oklahoma City Thunder were the best team throughout the regular season as they posted an impressive 68 wins. But there were doubters if this young team could really overcome the deep veteran contenders in the West. While they met serious resistance in the postseason, OKC’s defense and MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander proved not only were they the best team in 2024-25, but they have the makings of the NBA’s next dynasty.
2. Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets were one of the best stories in the NBA this season. After showing some very nice growth under Ime Udoka in 2023-24, they continued that momentum and evolved into an elite team in the West. This spring, they got the ultimate test in the Warriors. However, they could not overcome the experience gap with their future Hall of Famer foes.
The team responded to the move by making the biggest trade of the year so far by acquiring league legend Kevin Durant. The hope is that the 15-time All-Star is the missing ingredient to a championship team. While he should be, it is a big risk to rely so heavily on a 37-year-old.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers were a surprisingly dominant team this past season. New head coach Kenny Atkinson was given one of the league’s better defenses and added the offensive efficiency they lacked. Unfortunately, once again, when push came to shove in the playoffs, the Cavs could not get passed the semifinals. The big question this summer will be do they make a big move or go another season with this current roster.
4. Golden State Warriors
Entering this year’s NBA playoffs, the Golden State Warriors were considered a serious dark horse to go all the way. And after storming through the Play-In tourney and beating the two-seeded Rockets, they looked like they could be the team to beat out West. However, Stephen Curry’s first-ever hamstring injury came at the worst possible time.
His absence for much of the series, unsurprisingly, was a massive void the Warriors could not overcome. They lost Games 2 through 5 and were sent home for the summer earlier than many expected. Nevertheless, while their top stars are in the final years of their career, Golden State should be elite in the West next season — if they can stay healthy.
5. New York Knicks
The New York Knicks were tested throughout the postseason. They had a very tough test in the Pistons in Round 1 and were chin-checked during a very tough and physical series. Then they were sizable underdogs against the defending champs and showed the front office was successful in building a team specifically to beat the Celtics.
Unfortunately, they couldn’t overcome the Pacers for a second straight year, and it likely cost coach Tom Thibodeau his job. New York needs to find a coach who can truly maximize a talented group that is unlikely to change next season.
6. Los Angeles Lakers
At the start of the postseason, the Los Angeles Lakers were a popular dark horse pick in the West. And why not? They have an NBA icon in LeBron James, a top-five player in Luka Doncic, and an impressive young coach in JJ Reddick. Yet, the West’s dark horse pick got matched up with the conference’s sleeper team in the Timberwolves.
That proved to be fatal as Minnesota had the best player on either team — Anthony Edwards — and he dominated en route to sending the Lakers packing in just five games. Bolstering their frontcourt will be LA’s top priority this summer.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves
Despite the concerns that this year’s Minnesota Timberwolves team would not be able to match what the 2023-24 team did by reaching the West finals, Minny was one of the best teams in the league over the last month. They smashed through popular dark horse choice, the Lakers in Round 1, and got a big break with Stephen Curry suffering a hamstring injury.
While they could not overcome the Thunder, two straight trips to the West Finals is something to be proud of. They failed to make a trade for Durant, and could lose both Julius Randle and Naz Reid this summer if they don’t exercise their player options.
8. Denver Nuggets
When you have the best player on the planet, Nikola Jokic, the Denver Nuggets will always be a very competitive squad. They also impressively were able to circle the wagons following Michael Malone’s shocking firing and overcame the Clippers in Round 1. However, life got more difficult with the No. 1-seeded Thunder.
Despite forcing a Game 7, Denver had their doors blown off and was ousted again in the semifinals. It was not the result they hoped for. However, one clear positive that came out of their playoff run is that interim head coach David Adelman proved he deserved to be the full-time head, and the club rewarded that showing by giving him the job.
9. Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic dealt with notable injuries throughout the season, but battled through using their elite defense. However, just like last season, scoring — especially from behind the arc — bedeviled them during the year. In the playoffs, they were matched up with the Celtics, and to the surprise of no one, Boston became a challenge they could not overcome.
That is why they gave up so much to get Desmond Bane in June. He gives them both the playmaking and three-point shooting they badly lacked. The Magic can be a sleeper team in the East next season.
10. Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers were an interesting story in the 2024-25 NBA season. To the surprise of no one, Kawhi Leonard began the season in dress clothes due to another injury. However, in his absence, Norman Powell emerged and earned All-Star honors for the first time. With all of their veteran depth and a very good head coach, they had a good chance of upending Jokic and the Nuggets in Round 1.
Unfortunately, they came up short in Game 7. This will be an interesting offseason for LA with Harden possibly heading elsewhere and potential trade rumors that could circle Leonard.
11. Boston Celtics
Some might suggest Jayson Tatum’s season-ending injury in Game 5 was why the Boston Celtics were ousted in the semifinals of the NBA playoffs. But New York surprisingly took a clean 3-1 lead with him healthy, and won twice in Boston. It was a frustrating end to a season that will be the final time this memorable group plays together.
The reason is a salary cap reckoning that will force them to make some huge slashes to their payroll. Jrue Holiday was the first domino to fall as he was sent to Portland, and team great Al Horford is likely on his way out. However, getting talented young scorer Anfernee Simons is a nice add to help the season-long Tatum void they will have.
12. Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks have been on a roller-coaster ride all season. And the last few weeks have been no different. They feared they might be without Damian Lillard in the quarters, but the future Hall of Famer made a miraculous comeback in their series against Indiana. Only to tear his Achilles. Then they had a Game 5 win in their grasp, only to collapse in the final minute.
Milwaukee will have a lot to think about this offseason after a third straight first-round elimination despite having, arguably, the best player on the planet.
13. Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons were the worst team in the NBA last season. But this season, they were the feel-good story of the year. Heading to the NBA playoffs, many believed they could score a quarterfinals upset over the Knicks. While they didn’t advance, pushing New York to six games proved that Detroit needs to be taken seriously going forward.
The Pistons have the core pieces of a very competitive team. They could also have the cap flexibility to make a big move this summer. For the first time in a long time, Detroit is finally back on the rise.
14. Sacramento Kings
This was a wild season for the Sacramento Kings. There were high hopes when they added DeMar DeRozan in the summer. When they got off to a slow start, the front office took the bold step of firing head coach Mike Brown. Then, they decided De’Aaron Fox was not in their long-term plans and traded him to the Bulls.
In the deal, they landed two-time All-Star Zach LaVine. In adding the former Bulls star, DeRozan seems expendable, is likely to be moved this offseason.
15. San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs were much better this year than they were last season. With the help of NBA league legend Chris Paul, the team was around .500 for much of the season. Then they added an All-Star level sidekick for Victor Wembanyama at the deadline in De’Aaron Fox. However, their chances of reaching the postseason were hit with a fatal blow when a blood clot ended Wembanyama’s season.
While they failed to land Durant on the trade market, with 2024-25 ROTY Stephon Castle, San Antonio is set up to take another leap forward next season.
16. Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies were expected to be far better this season with superstar Ja Morant back. And they were, for the most part. However, a late-season slump had many wondering if their playoff run would be short-lived. Unfortunately for Grizzlies fans, they got the worst matchup in Round 1 against Oklahoma City. An elite squad that smashed its way through Memphis in just four games.
They then began their offseason with the offseason’s first blockbuster when they traded guard Desmond Bane to the Magic. They got an impressive haul in the deal that includes Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and four first-round picks. Assets they could use in a big move at some point in the next six months.
17. Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers were one of the best teams in the league in the second half, and they continued that impressive play in the postseason. They needed just five games to send Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks packing. And five more to punch a ticket to the East Finals for the second straight year. They again beat New York in the playoffs and forced an outstanding Thunder team to Game 7 in the Finals.
One can only wonder what might have happened if Tyrese Haliburton were available. Now, a torn Achilles will likely sideline him all of next season. Putting Indy in a position where they will have to fight to even reach the playoffs next year.
18. Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers were the biggest disappointment in the NBA this season. As injuries destroyed any plans to be an NBA Finals contender. But the organization and its fanbase can’t be surprised. They entered the season hoping their top two players — Joel Embiid and Paul George — could buck their recent trends and stay healthy. They couldn’t.
The only positive from this season was that Tyrese Maxey confirmed he is a legitimate star in the league and worth building around. The front office will need to decide if he is the new face of the franchise and which of their other stars they want to keep around him going forward.
19. Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks‘ decision to shockingly trade Luka Doncic before this year’s deadline led to some serious bad luck for the team. The top player they got back in the deal, Anthony Davis, suffered an ab injury that sidelined him for a couple of months. Then, Kyrie Irving’s season ended early after incurring a torn ACL. It was not the team the front office envisioned when they made the Doncic trade. Yet, they continued to battle, which gives some hope for next season.
20. Miami Heat
Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra again showed why he is among the best in the sport during the regular season. Despite the dark cloud that Jimmy Butler created over the team with his contract drama, the Heat remained competitive for much of the year.
They tried to land Durant in June but came up short. Jonathan Kuminga or DeMar DeRozan could be Miami’s Plan B this summer.
21. New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans will go down as one of the biggest “what if” stories of the season. On paper, they had a very talented roster that could have been a force in the West. However, injuries absolutely decimated them all season before they eventually traded Brandon Ingram and waved the white flag on the season. The organization is not going to move on from coach Willie Green, and likely will hold on to Zion Williamson for at least another season.
22. Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks were a handful for opposing defenses. Led by the face of the franchise, Trae Young, the team has been a force on offense. It is why they have had a far better season than many predicted. However, for as good as they were on offense, they were terrible on defense. It will be something they need to address in the summer. However, there is reason for positivity going forward due to the emergence of Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels.
23. Chicago Bulls
On offense, the Chicago Bulls were one of the league’s best and a headache for opponents. However, after trading Zach LaVine at the deadline, there was reason to expect a sharp decline. However, youngsters Josh Giddey and Coby White elevated their games in the second half. They must re-sign Giddey this summer. And if they can add another impact player, the Bulls should be a playoff contender in 2025-26.
24. Phoenix Suns
Outside of the 76ers, the Phoenix Suns were the league’s biggest letdown in 2024-25. The team embarrassed itself despite having a pair of elite talents on the roster. Is this a perfect team? Not at all. But Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and head coach Mike Budenholzer should have been far better than a team that missed the playoffs.
That is why trading Durant was a must to begin the offseason. In the deal, they get back talented young scorer Jalen Green and glue-guy Dillon Brooks. However, they badly need to get more frontcourt depth and will likely look for that in the NBA Draft.
25. Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers had a roster that should have been able to contend for a play-in spot this season. However, Chauncey Billups’ team was inconsistent all season. While they played better in the second half, it was too little, too late in a very good Western Conference. Fortunately for Billups, the improved play saved him from being ousted in the offseason.
In June, they made a notable move by shipping out Anfernee Simons for Jrue Holliday. They will hope the two-time NBA champ can bring the veteran savvy and grit they have lacked since Damian Lillard was traded.
26. Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors were a disappointment this season. Sure, injuries hurt them at times, but there was enough talent on the roster to have a better record in what was a very weak Eastern Conference. Yet, there is hope for the future after they added Brandon Ingram in a February trade. On paper, the combination of him and Scottie Barnes could make them a playoff contender next season.
27. Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets were the first team this season to punt on the campaign and look ahead to the summer. While this was another losing season for Brooklyn, there is hope for an immediate turnaround next season. They have solid pieces in Cam Thomas (if they re-sign him) and Cam Johnson that can be a part of the answer or trade chips. They will have the most cap space by far this summer and three first-round picks in June. Nets fans had little to cheer for this year. But that could change in the offseason.
28. Charlotte Hornets
While LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller put up some pretty good scoring numbers this season, it did not help to make the Charlotte Hornets a competitive team. Despite having three 20-point scorers, the Hornets were among the worst-scoring teams in the league this season. It is why there have been surprising rumors about the team potentially trading Ball this summer. With him battling injuries again this season, moving him and his max contract is something Charlotte might seriously consider this summer.
29. Washington Wizards
Despite a head coach change to begin the season, the Washington Wizards were again a laughing stock. They ended up with the second-worst record in the league again this season, but they got bad luck in the draft lottery and will pick sixth in round one of the draft. There was very little to take from this season besides the hope that former lottery picks Alex Sarr and Bilal Coulibaly got the meaningful experience needed to be a part of their potential turnaround.
30. Utah Jazz
In year three as head coach, Will Hardy and his team have taken another step back. While they were among the worst teams in the league last season, the Jazz finished dead last in the 2024-25 NBA standings. Making matters worse, they didn’t land the top overall pick and the chance to get Cooper Flagg in June. However, they have six future first-round picks they need to use in the summer to upgrade a roster that is still badly struggling to get back to competitive play.
After earning his journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos served as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sucka ... More about Jason Burgos