2023-24 NBA Preseason Power Rankings

It's been over four months since the Denver Nuggets were crowned NBA champions and the new season is almost here. Naturally, I made some power rankings because as you may or may not know......I love ranking things.....especially when those things relate to basketball (the greatest sport ever invented and you know it's true).

As always, the way I create these rankings is by answering the question: if the playoffs started today, who’s going to win the championship? I answer that question and then continue the rankings by comparing teams until I get to the last one.

As quoted by college basketball insider Jon Rothstein: "And Here. We. Go." - The late Heath Ledger as The Joker in The Dark Knight, circa 2008

1. Milwaukee Bucks (Last seen: getting torched by Jimmy Butler)

Yes, the Bucks did have a bad showing in their first round playoff series loss to the Miami Heat and fired head coach Mike Budenholzer. So why do I have them at #1? Because Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard are going to be the best 1-2 punch in the NBA!

2. Denver Nuggets (Last seen: scouting horses and singing along to live music)

Nikola Jokic has openly talked about how he only touched a basketball a few times this offseason. I don't know if he's telling the complete truth, but regardless I expect him to have another awesome season. The biggest question for me is if the young guys like Christian Braun and Peyton Watson can replace the production of Bruce Brown and Jeff Green.

3. Boston Celtics (Last seen: watching the movie The Town for inspiration)

Boston was very active in the off-season with Marcus Smart, Malcolm Brogdon, Grant Williams, and Robert Williams III leaving and Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis and Oshae Brissett joining the team. I think this is a net positive, but I do worry about the rim protection.

4. Phoenix Suns (Last seen: at the Diamondbacks game with a vintage camcorder)

I can't say I'm the biggest fan of some of the moves Phoenix made in the off-season, but having Durant, Booker, and Beal means they will be in the mix. Nurkic will need to have a great season defensively and Okogie will need to make the most of the good looks he gets.

5. Los Angeles Lakers (Last seen: taking the high road in response to trash talk)

The Lakers had a solid off-season resigning key role players and signing Gabe Vincent. As long as LeBron and Anthony Davis are healthy they will contend for a title. That's always a big if.

6. Golden State Warriors (Last seen: vibing at a Paramore concert)

The biggest question about the Warriors is how Chris Paul will fit in to this team. I think him, Steph, and Klay will be a nightmare for opposing defenses, but on the flip side they may struggle to guard. Draymond also needs to be more of a scoring threat this year for the Warriors to get back to the Finals.

7. Miami Heat (Last seen: making no moves in the off-season)

On paper, the Heat are definitely a worse basketball team than they were last year. Gabe Vincent and Max Strus are gone. They didn't land Dame or any other big name free agent. They will need a good shooting season from Duncan Robinson and Kyle Lowry to turn back the clock in order to have a shot in the East this season.

8. Philadelphia 76ers (Last seen: waiting for James Harden to return to practice)

James Harden is unhappy with another team and wants out. Whether James Harden is traded before the deadline or not, this team's ceiling is the conference semis once again. Embiid will have a chance to repeat as MVP and Maxey will have another solid season, but I just don't see them beating the Bucks or Celtics.

9. Cleveland Cavaliers (Last seen: getting turned away at The Salty Spitoon for not being tough enough)

The Knicks physical style of play gave the Cavs a lot of issues in the playoffs. They also clearly needed more shooters around Mitchell and Garland and addressed this need in the off-season by adding Max Strus and Georges Niang. This will give them a shot, but Mobley needs to take a leap on offense too this season.

10. Sacramento Kings (Last seen: lighting the beam...probably)

The Kings bring back pretty much the same roster as last year. They did add some shooting by getting Chris Duarte. My biggest concern with the Kings is Domantas Sabonis' play in the playoffs, particularly on defense.

11. LA Clippers (Last seen: stubbing their toe on the corner of the couch)

It's the same story once again.....can Kawhi Leonard and Paul George stay healthy? If they do they will be in the mix. I don't trust it.

12. Memphis Grizzlies (Last seen: doing something they shouldn't on social media)

Morant is suspended for the first 25 games of the season. Steven Adams is undergoing a season-ending surgery. This is quite a rocky start for Memphis, but I expect another great season from Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr.

13. New York Knicks (Last seen: asking the important questions on Twitter)

The Knicks are basically Villanova North. They added another former Wildcat in Donte DiVincenzo in the off-season. I’m a big Jalen Brunson believer, but I’m skeptical on whether Julius Randle can produce the way he did last season.

14. Minnesota Timberwolves (Last seen: eating 21 bags of Chester’s Hot Fries)

Anthony Edwards will pick up where he left off in the playoffs and have a fantastic season. I predict that he will make second team All-NBA this season. However, I still don’t like the fit with both Towns and Gobert and the Wolves will need to look to move one of them before the trade deadline.

15. Oklahoma City Thunder (Last seen: attending an Oklahoma State football game)

We finally get to see Chet Holmgren play regular season basketball. This team is going to be so much fun to watch, and they will certainly have a great chance to make the playoffs in a deep western conference.

16. Atlanta Hawks (Last seen: practicing 30 footers)

I want to see De’Andre Hunter take a leap this season and I’m hopeful it could happen. I’ll also be keeping an eye on Okongwu’s growth. On paper, this team should be a top 6 team in the East…. emphasis on should.

17. Dallas Mavericks (Last seen: doing basketball trick shots on TikTok)

Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving isn’t enough to compete for a championship in 2023. The league is just too deep. Dallas will need to improve on defense and Derrick Lively will need to be able to contribute right away for this team to avoid missing the playoffs again.

18. New Orleans Pelicans (Last seen: working as hard as they ever have in the off-season)

If Zion is healthy and playing he is a top 15 NBA player and the Pelicans are a contender in the West. That’s the issue: he hasn’t played a lot.

19. Indiana Pacers (Last seen: being tall and handsome at a supermarket)

When Tyrese Haliburton played, this team was 28-28 last season. With the additions of Bruce Brown and Obi Toppin and growth from Ben Mathurin and other young players, this team is poised to sneak into the playoffs.

20. Brooklyn Nets (Last seen: at a Penn State football game)

One year ago, this team had high expectations with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving on the roster. Now this team is full of young players led by Mikal Bridges. I love Mikal, but if he’s the guy in the center of the team poster I don’t think you are competing for a championship.

21. Orlando Magic (Last seen: playing basketball in the FIBA World Cup)

Banchero had a great rookie season last year and Franz Wagner showed a ton of growth. I love the Anthony Black pick and think he will eventually become the starting point guard of this team. I think they are still a year away from a playoff birth.

22. Toronto Raptors (Last seen: declaring OG Anunoby is one of the greatest players of all-time)

The Raptors have made some weird decisions lately. Will they blow it all up and trade Siakam and/or Anunoby this season?

23. Chicago Bulls (Last seen: on the golf course)

Another blow it up candidate! DeRozan is still a solid player but is aging and LaVine hasn’t taken the leap I once thought he would. It’s way past time for this team to start trying to trade them both for draft capital and young assets.

24. Utah Jazz (Last seen: at a luau in Hawaii)

The Jazz acquired John Collins and drafted Keyonte George and Taylor Hendricks in the off-season. I liked the George pick, but overall I’m not sure about the direction of this team. Can Lauri Markkanen have the same level of production he did last season?

25. Houston Rockets (Last seen: being indecisive about what flavor of ice cream they want at the local shop)

I just don’t understand why the Rockets went out and got Dillon Brooks and Fred VanVleet. This team should be focused on the development of Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr and they will both have the ball less because of these moves. I do expect them to be a better team this year, but I’m just confused about the direction.

26. San Antonio Spurs (Last seen: installing bigger doors in the team’s practice facility)

It’s the Victor Wembanyama show and it’s going to be one you won’t want to miss. I don’t expect the team to be great this year, but we will have fun along the way and see flashes of what they could become in the next few years.

27. Detroit Pistons (Last seen: making weird comments to the media)

I just ask that Cade Cunningham stays healthy for the whole season. I’ve always been a big believer in him and expect a big year. Who will start at shooting guard: Jaden Ivey or Ausar Thompson?

28. Charlotte Hornets (Last seen: involved in controversy)

LaMelo Ball only played 36 games last year, so him being healthy means this team should win more than 27 games. Rozier is still a solid player, but I’m not seeing a lot of things to be excited about.

29. Portland Trailblazers (Last seen: watching romantic comedies and eating chocolate to cope with losing Damian Lillard)

This will be another fun team to watch to see the growth of Shaedon Sharpe and Scoot Henderson. Anfernee Simons had a really solid season last year and I wonder if the Blazers would look to see what kind of trade offers they can get for him closer to the deadline.

30. Washington Wizards (Last seen: dancing and not getting back on defense)

There will be moments for this team where Jordan Poole goes off for 41 and they have some good wins. However, I think they will be rare and I’m concerned about how this team will defend.