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Free agency is mostly over. The draft is in the rearview mirror. Big-name stars like Paul George (Clippers to 76ers), Klay Thompson (Warriors to Mavericks) and Dejounte Murray (Hawks to Pelicans) have switched teams.
Only a few months before training camp begins, The Post breaks down the new NBA landscape with its power rankings:
1. Boston Celtics
Key adds: None
Key departures: None
Biggest question: Can they repeat? The NBA hasn’t seen a team win back-to-back titles since the Warriors in 2018-19, and Celtics stars Jayson Tatum, Derrick White and Jrue Holiday will have an abbreviated offseason since they are playing in the Summer Olympics.
Bottom line: The Celtics are the team to beat after going 64-18 during the regular season and 16-3 in the playoffs. The entire core, led by in-their-prime standouts Tatum and Jaylen Brown, is back.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder
Key adds: G Alex Caruso, C Isaiah Hartenstein
Key departures: None
Biggest question: Can Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Co. handle the pressure? There are real expectations now on the Thunder after they followed up their surprising 57-win season with a strong offseason.
Bottom line: The Thunder shored up two major areas of need on the perimeter and in the paint with the additions of Caruso and Hartenstein, making them a real threat to win the Western Conference.
3. Denver Nuggets
Key adds: F Dario Saric
Key departures: G Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Biggest question: Who replaces Caldwell-Pope’s shotmaking and defense? The Nuggets now have a hole on the wing.
Bottom line: Caldwell-Pope is a significant loss, and the Nuggets didn’t really replace the 3-and-D wing. Still, Nikola Jokic remains one of the premier players in the league — he has won three MVP trophies the last four seasons — his supporting cast is deep, and Denver is as good as anyone in the West.
4. New York Knicks
Key adds: G/F Mikal Bridges
Key departures: C Isaiah Hartenstein, G/F Bojan Bogdanovic, G Alec Burks
Biggest question: Center. Mitchell Robinson is injury prone and Hartenstein is gone. The Knicks will need to address this glaring hole at some point, either in the coming months or at the trade deadline.
Bottom line: The Knicks are a title contender. Jalen Brunson has emerged as an elite lead guard and they now have the two-way wings in OG Anunoby and Bridges to match up with the powerhouse Celtics.
5. Philadelphia 76ers
Key adds: G/F Paul George, C Andre Drummond, G/F Caleb Martin, G Eric Gordon
Key departures: F Tobias Harris, G De’Anthony Melton, F Paul Reed
Biggest question: Health. On paper, the big three of Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and George is the best trio in the NBA. But Embiid, 30, and George, 34, are oft-injured stars.
Bottom line: The 76ers had arguably the best offseason in the NBA in pairing the nine-time All-Star George with Embiid and Maxey, and they added quality veterans that will improve their depth.
6. Minnesota Timberwolves
Key adds: None
Key departures: G/F Kyle Anderson, G Monte Morris
Biggest question: How much does point guard Mike Conley Jr. have left at age 36? Nickeil Alexander-Walker is the heir apparent, but it remains uncertain if he’s ready for a major role.
Bottom line: After a trip to the Western Conference finals, the young, on-the-rise Timberwolves, led by Anthony Edwards, should be a consistent contender, particularly after a strong draft netted them potential sleepers Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr.
7. Dallas Mavericks
Key adds: G Klay Thompson, G Quentin Grimes, G/F Naji Marshall
Key departures: G/F Derrick Jones Jr., G Tim Hardaway Jr.
Biggest question: How much does Thompson have left? Last season, he averaged his fewest points (17.9) since his second year in the league and is tasked at age 34 with lessening the scoring load on Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
Bottom line: The Mavericks are right there with the Thunder, Timberwolves and Nuggets at the top of the Western Conference. If Thompson can be productive, and impressive young forward Dereck Lively II continues to ascend, they can return to the NBA Finals.
8. Milwaukee Bucks
Key adds: G Gary Trent Jr., G Taurean Prince
Key departures: G Malik Beasley, G Patrick Beverley
Biggest question: Do Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard have enough help to win a championship? They didn’t last year, particularly on the defensive end, as the Bucks went one and done in the playoffs for the second straight year.
Bottom line: The Bucks are banking on the star power of Lillard and Antetokounmpo after injuries derailed them in an opening-round loss to the surprising Pacers. Trent was a quality signing, but after their defensive rating plummeted to 19th in the league, there are concerns.
9. Orlando Magic
Key adds: G Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Key departures: F Joe Ingles, G Markelle Fultz
Biggest question: Can Paolo Banchero take the next step after a strong second season in the league? Last year, he led the Magic to their first postseason since 2020.
Bottom line: One of the best young rosters in the league got better. Caldwell-Pope is a major addition, a strong defender and 3-point shooter who was an underrated factor in the Nuggets’ success.
10. Indiana Pacers
Key adds: F James Wiseman
Key departures: None
Biggest question: Was their run to the Eastern Conference finals a fluke? They received plenty of good fortune along the way in the form of injuries to the opposition, and most experts believe the Celtics, Knicks, 76ers and Bucks are better.
Bottom line: Olympian Tyrese Haliburton is a star and is surrounded by quality young talent in Pascal Siakam, Myles Turner and Andrew Nembhard. The Pacers will be a factor in the East.
11. Cleveland Cavaliers
Key adds: Coach Kenny Atkinson
Key departures: None
Biggest question: Can a new coach elevate this talented roster? The Cavaliers haven’t signed a single free agent since they were eliminated in five games by the Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Bottom line: Cleveland is in no-man’s land. Good enough to finish in the top-six in the East, but clearly not on the same level as the Knicks, Celtics and 76ers, or even the Bucks.
12. Memphis Grizzlies
Key adds: None
Key departures: G Luke Kennard
Biggest question: Can Ja Morant get back on track? His suspension and shoulder injury limited him to nine games last season.
Bottom line: Everything went wrong for the Grizzlies last season, leading to a dismal 27-win campaign. A big turnaround is possible if Morant, Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Marcus Smart can stay healthy.
13. Phoenix Suns
Key adds: C Mason Plumlee, G Monte Morris
Key departures: G Eric Gordon
Biggest question: Are they a real contender? The opening round of the playoffs, when they were swept in four convincing games by the Timberwolves, said otherwise.
Bottom line: It’s easier to see Kevin Durant traded at some point this season than the Suns playing into June. They aren’t good enough defensively nor have enough depth past the big three of Durant, Bradley Beal and Devin Booker to be a real threat.
14. Miami Heat
Key adds: G Alec Burks
Key departures: G/F Caleb Martin
Biggest question: Can Jimmy Butler still be a spring closer? He’ll be 35 by the time next season begins and his body is beginning to break down, as his postseason absence showed last April.
Bottom line: While the Knicks and 76ers got better, the Heat did very little to improve after an eighth-place finish a year ago. They are nothing more than an Eastern Conference sleeper entering the season.
15. Sacramento Kings
Key adds: G Demar DeRozan
Key departures: G Davion Mitchell, F Harrison Barnes
Biggest question: Did this core max out already? After winning 48 games two years ago, the Kings failed to advance past the play-in round last season.
Bottom line: This is a talented group that added much-needed experience with DeRozan, a 34-year-old, six-time All-Star. The Kings may not be on the same level of the big four of the Mavericks, Nuggets, Timberwolves and Thunder, but they should finish no worse than sixth in the Western Conference.
16. New Orleans Pelicans
Key adds: G Dejounte Murray, F Daniel Theis
Key departures: C Jonas Valanciunas, G Dyson Daniels, G Naji Marshall, F Larry Nance Jr.
Biggest question: Is Zion Williamson ready for his star turn? He appeared in a career-high 70 games last season, averaging 22.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.0 assists, after appearing in only 29 games the prior two years combined.
Bottom line: The Pelicans got better with the addition of Murray and could be a factor in the Western Conference if Williamson stays healthy and a change of address helps Murray regain his All-Star form.
17. Los Angeles Lakers
Key adds: Coach JJ Redick
Key departures: G Taurean Prince, G Spencer Dinwiddie
Biggest question: Is that it? The Lakers have done nothing this offseason, besides hiring LeBron James’ podcast partner, Reddick, to replace Darvin Ham and lose out on all their top targets, from Klay Thompson to Jonas Valanciunas to DeMar DeRozan.
Bottom line: Unless first-round pick Dalton Knecht is an immediate difference-maker, the Lakers are unlikely to be anything more than a play-in team as currently constituted. They needed to add impact players, not stand pat.
18. Golden State Warriors
Key adds: G De’Anthony Melton, G/F Kyle Anderson, G Buddy Hield
Key departures: G Klay Thompson
Biggest question: Is this team still a contender? The Warriors won it all as recently as 2022, but Thompson is now gone and Steph Curry and Draymond Green are aging, and they have averaged 45 wins the last two seasons.
Bottom line: Melton was a shrewd signing, and Anderson and Hield could help. But it’s hard to see the Warriors challenging the Thunder, Nuggets, Mavericks and Timberwolves in the West.
19. San Antonio Spurs
Key adds: G Chris Paul, F Harrison Barnes, G Stephon Castle
Key departures: G Devonte’ Graham
Biggest question: What does Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama have in store for year two? He lived up to the immense expectations, averaging 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 3.6 blocks, and now he is surrounded by more talent.
Bottom line: Tanking should be over in San Antonio. The additions of Paul and Barnes makes this a play-in-caliber roster.
20. Houston Rockets
Key adds: G AJ Griffin, G Reed Sheppard
Key departures: None
Biggest question: Will Houston make a big in-season move? They have the pieces to land a star if one becomes available.
Bottom line: The Rockets are on the way up after a 19-win improvement and could be a postseason team if their young core of Sheppard, Alperen Sengun, Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., and Amen Thompson continue to progress.
21. Los Angeles Clippers
Key adds: G/F Derrick Jones Jr., G Kevin Porter Jr., G Kris Dunn, F Nicolas Batum
Key departures: G/F Paul George
Biggest question: What direction are the Clippers headed? Their best players, Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, are on the wrong side of 30, and George’s departure is a death blow to this group’s title hopes.
Bottom line: The Clippers would be better off moving Leonard for draft picks and rebuilding, although it’s unlikely with their new arena coming this year. They aren’t a real contender anymore.
22. Atlanta Hawks
Key adds: G Dyson Daniels, C Cody Zeller, F Larry Nance Jr.
Key departures: G Dejounte Murray, G AJ Griffin, G/F Saddiq Bey
Biggest question: Will trading away Murray be addition by subtraction? Clearly, the backcourt of Murray and Trae Young didn’t work. The duo were minus-2.6 points per 100 possessions in the two years they shared the court together.
Bottom line: The Hawks’ roster makes more sense without Murray, but this remains a team that feels more likely to land in the lottery than reach the postseason.
23. Utah Jazz
Key adds: C Drew Eubanks
Key departures: C Omer Yurtseven, G Kris Dunn, G/F Cody Williams, G Isaiah Collier.
Biggest question: Will the Jazz move Lauri Markkanen? There are rumors that Utah is at least listening to offers for the dynamic forward, who has one year left on his contract.
Bottom line: The Jazz are better off trading Markkanen and landing a high pick in a loaded 2025 draft, considering they aren’t close to contending even with the 7-footer.
24. Toronto Raptors
Key adds: G Davion Mitchell
Key departures: G Gary Trent Jr.
Biggest question: Can Scottie Barnes lead the Raptors into contention? It’s his team now, after he signed a rookie max extension worth $224.9 million over five years.
Bottom line: The Raptors young trio of Barnes, Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett has a lot to prove after doing very little winning together following the blockbuster trade with the Knicks early last season.
25. Chicago Bulls
Key adds: G Josh Giddey, F Jalen Smith
Key departures: G DeMar DeRozan, G Alex Caruso, C Andre Drummond
Biggest question: How long until the Bulls trade Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic? The two veterans don’t fit in what is finally a rebuild in Chicago.
Bottom line: The Bulls have chosen a path at last, understanding how far they are from being a factor in the Eastern Conference. With the 21-year-old Giddey and fifth overall pick Matas Buzelis, they hope to have young building blocks for the future.
26. Charlotte Hornets
Key adds: C Taj Gibson
Key departures: G Josh Green
Biggest question: Can LaMelo Ball stay on the court? The skilled point guard has appeared in 58 games the last two seasons.
Bottom line: The Hornets haven’t reached the playoffs since 2016, a drought that will continue next year. It’ll all be about pingpong balls in Charlotte yet again.
27. Detroit Pistons
Key adds: F Tobias Harris, G Malik Beasley, F Paul Reed, G Tim Hardaway Jr., G Ron Holland II, Coach JB Bickerstaff
Key departures: G Evan Fournier, G Quentin Grimes, F James Wiseman
Biggest question: Will all the changes in Detroit, from a new coach to established veterans like Harris, Hardaway Jr. and Beasley, lead to improved results? There is nowhere to go but up.
Bottom line: There is more shooting and experience surrounding Cade Cunningham, which should help the impressive youngster. The Pistons won’t be as bad as last year, when they won an NBA-low 14 games.
28. Washington Wizards
Key adds: C Jonas Valanciunas, F Saddiq Bey, G Malcolm Brogdon, F Alexandre Sarr.
Key departures: G Tyus Jones, G/F Deni Avdija
Biggest question: Will Sarr, the second-overall pick in a weak draft, make an impact? The Wizards need the 7-foot Frenchman to be a major part of their future.
Bottom line: The Wizards will be the most popular team at the trade deadline. Veterans Kyle Kuzma, Jordan Poole, Brogdon and Valanciunas should net them future assets.
29. Portland Trail Blazers
Key adds: G/F Deni Avdija, C Donovan Clingan.
Key departures: G Malcolm Brogdon
Biggest question: Can second-year point guard Scoot Henderson shake off a poor rookie season? The third-overall pick was a major disappointment last year.
Bottom line: Portland has a long road back to relevance. A high pick in a very good draft could help speed up that process.
30. Brooklyn Nets
Key adds: Coach Jordi Fernandez, G/F Bojan Bogdanovic
Key departures: G Mikal Bridges
Biggest question: Can they lose enough, and will the pingpong balls fall their way? It’s all about the future in Brooklyn, one the Nets sure hope will include Cooper Flagg.
Bottom line: The next day that really matters for the Nets will be the draft lottery. They are starting over. It will be a stunner if they aren’t one of the worst teams in the league.
