NBA
NBA power rankings: How every team stacks up after draft
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The Boston Celtics won the NBA Finals less than two weeks ago, but the chase to win the next NBA title already has begun.
Every team hoped it added the right piece to its roster during the 2024 NBA draft, where 58 players were introduced into the league. The first four picks went to the Atlanta Hawks, Washington Wizards, Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs; could these lottery picks lead to instant success? Or will it take some time before the new crop of players make an impact?
Besides the draft, the New York Knicks made a big splash with the acquisition of Mikal Bridges, hoping to solidify their status as an Eastern Conference powerhouse. New York is just one of the 28 other teams hoping to prevent the Celtics from becoming the first repeat champions since the Golden State Warriors in 2017-18.
Here is where every team ranks after the 2024 draft and days before the free agency window opens June 30:
30. Washington Wizards
Alex Sarr has the potential to be the best player to come from this draft, but it won’t get the Wizards anywhere out of the cellar.
29. Detroit Pistons
Detroit has its fair share of problems. Maybe Ron Holland can pair well with Cade Cunnigham.
28. Brooklyn Nets
Time to start from scratch after Brooklyn had no picks in the draft and got rid of Mikal Bridges.
27. Portland Trail Blazers
With Donovan Clingan on the team, what does Portland do about Deandre Ayton?
26. Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte still has work to do after the draft, but adding Reggie Jackson should give the Hornets a slight boost.
25. Toronto Raptors
Scottie Barnes is officially the centerpiece, but there isn’t much beyond that.
24. Utah Jazz
Utah had one of the best drafts with Cody Williams, Isaiah Collier and Kyle Filipowski to get the Jazz moving in the right direction.
23. Chicago Bulls
Zach LaVine is pretty much all by himself in Chicago. Do the Bulls try to restart by trading him?
22. San Antonio Spurs
Stephon Castle is exactly the type of player San Antonio needed to pair with Victor Wembanyama and take another step toward success.
21. Atlanta Hawks
The decision between Trae Young or Dejounte Murray still looms, but getting No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher should help.
20. Miami Heat
Bam Adebayo is signing a long-term deal, but with Jimmy Butler’s future uncertain, this season might be the last chance to win a title.
19. Houston Rockets
Houston just missed out on the playoffs but it has all the reasons to be in next season, especially with No. 3 pick Reed Sheppard.
18. Golden State Warriors
Are Klay Thompson’s days in Golden State over? An aging team could use some fresh faces.
17. Sacramento Kings
Devin Carter gives Sacramento another piece to what is already a deep backcourt.
16. Memphis Grizzlies
Last season’s disaster shouldn’t be repeated, and Zach Edey adds some intrigue to a team that was once a top seed in the West.
15. Philadelphia 76ers
When healthy, Philadelphia is a strong team in the East. The 76ers could use a big-time free agency signing.
14. Indiana Pacers
With Pascal Siakam staying in Indiana, the Pacers have the chance to be a contender for years to come.
13. Orlando Magic
Paolo Banchero emerged as the star of Orlando, and drafting Tristan da Silva will hopefully give more offensive power.
12. Cleveland Cavaliers
New coach Kenny Atkinson would love to see Donovan Mitchell sign an extension rather than look for the star player to build around.
11. Milwaukee Bucks
It was going to take time for Doc Rivers to mesh with Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Now Milwaukee needs to continue to build around them.
10. Los Angeles Lakers
How will the J.J. Redick experiment work? Plus, all eyes will be on whether Bronny James gets playing time with his dad.
9. Phoenix Suns
Last season was a disaster in Phoenix. New coach Mike Budenholzer has the tools to get this loaded team back on track.
8. Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles needs to ensure Paul George and James Harden are still on the roster when its new arena opens in August.
7. New Orleans Pelicans
Locking down Brandon Ingram would be a wise decision for a team trying to reach the upper echelon of the West.
6. New York Knicks
Getting Mikal Bridges will help New York challenge Boston in the East.
5. Oklahoma City Thunder
This young squad hasn’t even reached its full potential yet after capturing a No. 1 seed, and the addition of Alex Caruso will be huge.
4. Denver Nuggets
Denver is nearing an extension with Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic is still the best player in the league.
3. Minnesota Timberwolves
Now that Anthony Edwards and Karl Anthony-Towns have tasted what a playoff run is like, they should come back stronger, especially with the addition of Rob Dillingham.
2. Dallas Mavericks
With Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving still leading, Dallas has a solid chance to return to the Finals and avenge its loss to Boston.
1. Boston Celtics
Still at the mountaintop of the NBA and will remain the favorite to repeat with the title team mostly intact.
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