NBA Power Rankings: Defending Champion Warriors Top The List

The Golden State Warriors are still atop the NBA's perch – but this is a season they could see competition from several teams. 

The Warriors have won four championships since 2015, easily the most by any during that time span – and are a Klay Thompson injury (in 2019) and a LeBron James comeback (2016) away from an even more incredible run. And yet, while the Warriors are still a formidable foe, there are no shortage of worthy challengers to their status as the league's best team.

With the regular season set to tip off Tuesday night, here's a look at my early Power Rankings (NBA title odds accurate as of Monday, Oct. 17 at 10 a.m. ET):

1. Golden State Warriors 

The only concern here is how the Draymond Green/Jordan Poole feud plays out. After Green landed the biggest punch of the preseason, how will the Warriors handle what will likely be a distraction throughout the year? Losing Otto Porter Jr. and Gary Payton II hurts, but the Warriors still have Stephen Curry, Jonathan Wiseman and Moses Moody. Never count them out. 

2. Milwaukee Bucks 

The Bucks probably would have faced the Warriors in last year's Finals if not for an injury to Khris Middleton. Not many teams could recover from losing their second-best player in the semifinals of the playoffs. Middleton is back for another year running alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, which makes the Bucks the favorite in the Eastern Conference. They also added forward Joe Ingles, giving them another quality wing. This could be the year we finally see the highly-anticipated Bucks-Warriors Finals matchup.  

3. Boston Celtics 

The Celtics perhaps had the best offseason of any team, highlighted by the acquisition of point guard Malcolm Brogdon from Indiana. He adds scoring and, more importantly, defense. The late signing of Blake Griffin should also strengthen the lineup. Look for the Celtics to play with a sense of urgency. The window of opportunity for stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown is closing. This could be their last chance to win a title together. 

4. Philadelphia 76ers 

The Sixers have arguably the league's best one-two punch in Joel Embiid and James Harden, and addressed last year's playoff loss to a tough Miami Heat team by acquiring P.J. Tucker. The Sixers already have enough talent; Tucker brings the intangibles that contenders need. 

5. Los Angeles Clippers 

With Kawhi Leonard back in the lineup after missing last season, everything is set for the Clippers to make another run. Paul George has finally accepted he isn't the No. 1 option, bowing to Leonard. George is taking a similar approach as Dwyane Wade when LeBron James arrived in Miami in 2010. If new addition John Wall can play anywhere near his All-Star form, the Clippers are just as dangerous as any team in the Western Conference. 

6. Brooklyn Nets 

The Nets were so close to dismantling the roster and starting the rebuilding process. The summer began with Kevin Durant requesting a trade. There was also the never-ending Kyrie Irving saga. All parties worked it so they could make an attempt at a title. This is a good thing for the league because fans have yet to see how sensational the duo could be during an entire season. 

7. Memphis Grizzlies 

Despite finishing second in the West, the Grizzlies may not have enough experience to yet be considered serious contenders. What they do have is talent – a lot of it. Ja Morant is arguably the league's most explosive player. This team will only get better in time. It's just a matter of how the Grizz use the regular season to prepare for the grind of the playoffs. 

8. Phoenix Suns 

Put the Suns in the category of teams with a closing window, especially after entering last season with so much promise. They earned the No. 1 seed only to lose to the Dallas Mavericks in the second round. The cloud of disgraced owner Robert Sarver, who was suspended for the season after an investigation found he used inappropriate comments in the workplace, will cause unwanted attention. Still, the Suns have a strong enough nucleus with Devon Booker and DeAndre Ayton, to compete again in the West. 

9. Miami Heat 

The Miami Heat were one shot from the Finals but have somehow fallen out of the championship talks. Part of this came about because other teams chose to bolster their roster while the Heat remained the same – but that wasn't intentional. The Heat were simply unable to pull off any deals because of the lack of assets. The one thing the Heat have on their side is continuity. Most of the group has remained together since the 2020 Finals appearance. 

10. Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets will always have a chance as long as two-time MVP Nikola Jokic is on the roster. He's just going to need more help. This is the year Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., have to shine – and that starts with both players remaining healthy. 

11. Dallas Mavericks 

The Mavs are in the same category as the Nuggets. They have the All-World Luka Doncic, but he can't do it alone. And unfortunately, the Mavs didn't do enough in the offseason to make them anything more than a middle-tier team. 

12. Minnesota Timberwolves 

The Timberwolves had a busy offseason, adding All-Star center Rudy Gobert. The frontcourt tandem of Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns should create matchup problems every night. And I haven't yet mentioned Anthony Edwards, who is expected to have a breakout year. The Timberwolves could be a surprise team in the West but are not necessarily contender-ready. 

13. Cleveland Cavaliers 

The Cavs already had one of the league's best starting lineups. It got even better when they acquired Donovan Mitchell late in free agency. The Cavs have a fearsome foursome in Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen – and could very well wind up being the Timberwolves of the East. 

14. New Orleans Pelicans

A healthy Zion Williamson should make a huge difference for the Pelicans, who gave the Suns all they could handle last year in the second round of the playoffs. This could be the year Williamson takes them to the next step. 

15. Toronto Raptors 

After winning Rookie of the Year last season, Scottie Barnes is set to make a leap. But even if he does, there are still questions if the Raptors can compete in the stacked East. 

16. Atlanta Hawks 

The Hawks have regressed since making the conference finals two seasons ago. They likely won't contend until some sort of move is made – aside from the acquisition of Dejounte Murray – because it seems they have reached peak potential.  

17. Los Angeles Lakers 

Anything is possible for a team with LeBron James, Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis. The key is whether Westbrook can play better than last season and Davis can stay healthy. As for James, you know what you're getting from him – but for how much longer?

18. Sacramento Kings

The Kings have All-Star Domantas Sabonis, and rookie Keegan Murray could be special, but they are still at least a year away from making any noise. 

19. Chicago Bulls 

The Bulls have the assets – DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic, Zach LaVine – to perhaps become contenders – but it's hard to take them seriously now because of the way they played against the league's top teams last year. They were just 1-14 vs. the Bucks, Celtics, Heat and Sixers.  

20. Portland Trail Blazers 

Jerami Grant was the Blazers' biggest addition. Is he enough to make them relevant? Probably not. But it will be fun to see him play alongside Damian Lillard. 

21. New York Knicks 

This is basically another year for the Knicks to get better with hopes of being a playoff team next season. Jalen Brunson was a solid offseason addition, but he won't really move the needl. 

22. Charlotte Hornets 

The most-talked about Hornets headlines will likely be Miles Bridges and his domestic violence situation. The Hornets have basically the same roster as last year, meaning another season for star-in-the-making LaMelo Ball to improve. 

23. Detroit Pistons 

It's another rebuilding year for the Pistons, but it will be interesting to see how Cade Cunningham continues to develop. Last year's No. 1 pick has his sights set on being an All-Star, which is a strong possibility. 

24. Orlando Magic 

The Magic could find themselves as the next version of the Cavaliers. Top pick Paolo Banchero has all the makings of an instant impact player while Cole Anthony, Franz Wanger and Jalen Suggs are solid, young talents. 

25. Washington Wizards 

Bradley Beal finally got his contract extension during the summer – but does he have any help to get the Wizards anywhere near the playoffs? Kristaps Porzingis is coming off arguably the best season of his career, which is a step in the right direction. 

26. Utah Jazz 

After trading Gobert and Mitchell, the Jazz have made it clear they are in full rebuilding mode. It's hard to believe they were a No. 1 seed just two seasons ago. 

27. Indiana Pacers 

Just like the Jazz, the Pacers started the rebuilding process by trading Brogdon to the Celtics. After drafting Bennedict Mathurin in last June's lottery, they are likely to have a second straight high pick.

28. Houston Rockets 

The Rockets will use this as a developmental season for Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr., their last two lottery picks. This should be a great chance for both to gain experience. 

29. San Antonio Spurs 

Keldon Johnson is a serious talent, but the Spurs are a loooong way from the Tim Duncan days. This team needs at least two years before even thinking about making the playoffs.  

30. Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder lost No. 2 pick Chet Holmgren for the season due to a foot injury. The good news: that puts them in prime position to earn the No. 1 pick next year – and use it on 7-foor-4 phenom Victor Wembanyama.