NBA Power Rankings, offseason edition: Who has gained on the Knicks, Spurs?

By admin — In News — July 15, 2026

   ​LAS VEGAS — Free agency is not over and some potential difference makers are still out there — hello, LeBron James — but we’ve seen enough to do our NBA Power Rankings for the summer. If I were doing this in tiers, right now the top four would be true title contenders, and four through 10 would be the second circle, “if everything goes right” tier that could be contenders, but for now let’s just rank the teams.Last season 53-29The defending champions have spent the summer trying to get the band back together for another run at it, and they’ve done well outside of losing Michell Robinson (replaced by Andre Drummond, a strong rebounder but not as good a defender). With all the changes with the other teams in the East, New York is still the team I trust the most, the team that will be in the mix at the end no matter what.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLast season 62-20A lot of fans may roll their eyes at the Tobias Harris signing, but he is an upgrade at the four (and was the Pistons’ second-best player last season). They drafted some depth at the five (Jayden Quaintance, Tarris Reed), but those guys are more long-term projects. The key to the Spurs taking one last step next season is the development of Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper (all three are still 22 or younger).Last season 64-18The best thing the Thunder could do this summer to improve their title chances was to get Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell healthy, and that has happened. This offseason, OKC prioritized bringing back Isaiah Hartenstein (who is needed against Wembanyama) and drafted more size with Aday Mara (7’3″ out of Michigan). That said, the luxury tax aprons are coming for OKC, and it could not retain two helpful players, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins.Last season 45-37The biggest winners of the offseason, the 76ers traded out an older Paul George for Jaylen Brown at the peak of his career, forming a powerful perimeter trio with Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. They added good depth with Dean Wade and Anfernee Simons as well, plus got lucky in the draft when Labaron Philon fell to them at 22 (he has the ball on a string and showed real potential at Summer League). Ultimate success in the playoffs will come down to Joel Embiid’s knees, but this team is poised to make his path to that point as easy as possible.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLast season 54-28Denver has not had a great offseason, but they have Nikola Jokic and will enter every season with a chance as long as he is in his prime. Tim Hardaway Jr. is gone (Miami), Marvin Bagley III takes over as Jokic’s backup (trying to solve the non-Jokic minutes issue). Denver isn’t done. Expect the Peyton Watson restricted free agent deal to be worked out, but they are looking for other moves.Last season 60-22The Pistons had a clear top priority this offseason: Get a secondary shot creator to play next to Cade Cunningham. They have struck out. And while the Pistons will eventually get a deal don  

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