"From blockbuster trades to underrated signings, this offseason is promising the upcoming NBA year to be one of the greatest ever. Keep reading to find out the top ten teams heading into next season." --Rafi Ponet, 7th grade.
Before the list begins, let’s start with some honorable mentions–teams that are close to the top ten but aren't quite there yet.
Brooklyn Nets
Although Kevin Durant has officially withdrawn his trade request and will continue with the Nets next season, the Nets have not played up to top ten standards. In a humiliating fashion, Brooklyn got swept by the Boston Celtics in the first round of last year's playoffs. As it stands, despite having top ten level talent, the Nets are not worthy of any ranking above 11 or 12, but depending on how this season goes they could get bumped up or down.
New Orleans Pelicans
With the return of Zion Williamson, the Pelicans look like a very formidable team and every game with them will be worth watching. However, they have not yet proved that they are top ten worthy, but don’t be surprised if they are competing with the best teams in the west next season.
Dallas Mavericks
As great as Luka Doncic is, the loss of Jalen Brunson will make things much harder on him. Despite beating the heavily favored Suns, the Warriors easily defeated the Mavericks in a quick five games. The addition of Christian Wood will help, but the lack of another playmaker not named Doncic or Dinwiddie keeps them from top ten status.
Philadelphia Seventy Sixers
This is the best and last honorable mention, as good as the other teams previously listed are, the Sixers are the best. Joel Embiid and James Harden are very good together but the Sixers lack of ball handling and shot creation, not to mention one of the worst benches among any playoff team last year pushes Philadelphia out of the top ten.
Now that those are out of the way, here are the top ten.
10. Cleveland Cavaliers
On September 1st, 2022 the Cleveland Cavaliers acquired Donovan Mitchell, sending Mitchell to the Cavs and Collin Sexton, Ochai Agbaji, Lauri Markkanen, three unprotected first round picks and two pickswaps.
Mitchell, a three-time All Star, will obviously be a huge help to Darius Garland who struggled at times after Ricky Rubio tore his ACL because he was the only ball handling option. Although there are questions about how a backourt consisting of two 6’1 guards who are not known for defense will fare against bigger teams, the twin towers of Evan Mobley and Jarret Allen will make up for it.
For most of last season, the Cavaliers were one of the best teams in the east, and if not for injuries they would have most likely made the playoffs. Now, when you add Mitchell to the equation, they have a spot locked in the top ten.
9. Minnesota Timberwolves
Anthony Edwards had an incredible season last year. The 20 year old at the time, averaged an astounding 21.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game.
Along with Edwards, the Timberwolves put together a playoff team last year. Led by big man shooter Karl Anthony Towns, the rising star Edwards, and point guard D'angelo Russel, Minnesota put together a 46 win season, being above five hundred for the first time, without Jimmy Butler since 2005. Now with the addition of three time Defensive Player of the Year, Rudy Gobert the Timberwolves are sure to be a top ten team next year.
8. Denver Nuggets
Nikola Jokic is pretty good. Despite winning two MVPs in a row, many still don’t seem to get it.
Last year the Nuggets had an injury riddled season. Jamal Murrary didn’t touch the floor, still rehabbing from his ACL tear and Micheal Porter Jr. injured his back in November of last year, causing him to miss the rest of the year.
But now that Denver will be healthy, along with Jokic's phenomenal play, the Nuggets are sure to be a top ten team next year.
7. Memphis Grizzlies
With two candidates for the Most Improved Player award last year, the Grizzlies are going to be even better this year. Ja Morant is arguably a top two player under the age of 25 and both Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. had career years in 2022. If not for Morant’s injury against the Warriors, the Grizzlies could have possibly pushed Golden State to seven games and maybe even won the series. All of that combined, makes Memphis better than any team listed so far and are a lock for top ten.
6. Los Angeles Clippers
So far, the superstar duo of Kawhi Lenard and Paul Gorge hasn’t lived up to the hype, but mostly because of injury. Along with the addition of John Wall, the Clippers are going to be scary next year, and could challenge the Warriors for the western conference, but a wildcard factor keeps them from anywhere higher on this list.
5. Phoenix Suns
The Suns have been one of the most controversial teams to rank heading into next season, due to their terrible exit from the playoffs. Doncic and the Mavericks defeated them in a 33 point blowout in game 7 of their series. Then questions surrounding Deandre Ayton followed Phoenix into free agency when then the Indiana Pacers offered Ayton a four year 133 million dollar offer, which was matched by the Suns, causing Ayton to stay in Phoenix. Then rumors of Kevin Durant getting traded to Phoenix spiraled and all in all nothing has changed.
Despite all the drama the Suns did put together a 60+ win season last year which means that it has secured its spot in the top five.
4. Miami Heat
The Heat were one shot away from the finals last year. Butler played his heart out in the Conference finals against the Celtics, where he averaged 25.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. The Heat were banged up in that series with Tyler Herro missing time along with Kyle Lowry but they still almost won, which easily puts them in the top four.
3. Milwaukee Bucks
Despite falling in the second round to the Celtics, Milwaukee still recently won a championship and can’t be put any lower. Giannis Antentokoumpo is the best player in basketball and Khris Middelton and Jrue Holiday make up a great supporting cast. If Middelton wasn’t injured, the bucks might have beaton Boston and went on to win it all, so obviously they are a top three team heading into next year.
2. Boston Celtics
Although Milwaukee might have beat them if Middelton was healthy, the Celtics still won the series, and then went on to win the series against The Heat, so you can’t take that away from them. Despite struggling against the Warriors, Boston still played great all playoffs long and are expected to continue to do so next season. Also Boston added point guard Malcom Brogdon from Indiana who will help fill the Celtics lack of point guard depth last season. The fact that the Celtics made it to the Finals secured their spot here in the top 10.
1. Golden State Warriors
Steph Curry. This name will forever be remembered in basketball. The greatest shooter of all time. One of the best point guards of all time. The most humble player of all time.
Curry showed all of these things in this year's finals. He hit an absurd 31 three pointers, averaging 5.16 threes a game. Had an incredible 43 point game four in Boston, and after he had been declared Finals MVP when a reporter asked him about what the award meant to him he said: "Forget that, we champs!"
But Curry wasn’t the only reason that Golden State won. Andrew Wiggins and Klay Thompson both played amazingly, with Draymond Green and Jordan Poole also chipping in.
And because the Warriors won it all they are, of course the number #1 NBA team, heading into next season.
Brooklyn Nets
Although Kevin Durant has officially withdrawn his trade request and will continue with the Nets next season, the Nets have not played up to top ten standards. In a humiliating fashion, Brooklyn got swept by the Boston Celtics in the first round of last year's playoffs. As it stands, despite having top ten level talent, the Nets are not worthy of any ranking above 11 or 12, but depending on how this season goes they could get bumped up or down.
New Orleans Pelicans
With the return of Zion Williamson, the Pelicans look like a very formidable team and every game with them will be worth watching. However, they have not yet proved that they are top ten worthy, but don’t be surprised if they are competing with the best teams in the west next season.
Dallas Mavericks
As great as Luka Doncic is, the loss of Jalen Brunson will make things much harder on him. Despite beating the heavily favored Suns, the Warriors easily defeated the Mavericks in a quick five games. The addition of Christian Wood will help, but the lack of another playmaker not named Doncic or Dinwiddie keeps them from top ten status.
Philadelphia Seventy Sixers
This is the best and last honorable mention, as good as the other teams previously listed are, the Sixers are the best. Joel Embiid and James Harden are very good together but the Sixers lack of ball handling and shot creation, not to mention one of the worst benches among any playoff team last year pushes Philadelphia out of the top ten.
Now that those are out of the way, here are the top ten.
10. Cleveland Cavaliers
On September 1st, 2022 the Cleveland Cavaliers acquired Donovan Mitchell, sending Mitchell to the Cavs and Collin Sexton, Ochai Agbaji, Lauri Markkanen, three unprotected first round picks and two pickswaps.
Mitchell, a three-time All Star, will obviously be a huge help to Darius Garland who struggled at times after Ricky Rubio tore his ACL because he was the only ball handling option. Although there are questions about how a backourt consisting of two 6’1 guards who are not known for defense will fare against bigger teams, the twin towers of Evan Mobley and Jarret Allen will make up for it.
For most of last season, the Cavaliers were one of the best teams in the east, and if not for injuries they would have most likely made the playoffs. Now, when you add Mitchell to the equation, they have a spot locked in the top ten.
9. Minnesota Timberwolves
Anthony Edwards had an incredible season last year. The 20 year old at the time, averaged an astounding 21.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game.
Along with Edwards, the Timberwolves put together a playoff team last year. Led by big man shooter Karl Anthony Towns, the rising star Edwards, and point guard D'angelo Russel, Minnesota put together a 46 win season, being above five hundred for the first time, without Jimmy Butler since 2005. Now with the addition of three time Defensive Player of the Year, Rudy Gobert the Timberwolves are sure to be a top ten team next year.
8. Denver Nuggets
Nikola Jokic is pretty good. Despite winning two MVPs in a row, many still don’t seem to get it.
Last year the Nuggets had an injury riddled season. Jamal Murrary didn’t touch the floor, still rehabbing from his ACL tear and Micheal Porter Jr. injured his back in November of last year, causing him to miss the rest of the year.
But now that Denver will be healthy, along with Jokic's phenomenal play, the Nuggets are sure to be a top ten team next year.
7. Memphis Grizzlies
With two candidates for the Most Improved Player award last year, the Grizzlies are going to be even better this year. Ja Morant is arguably a top two player under the age of 25 and both Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. had career years in 2022. If not for Morant’s injury against the Warriors, the Grizzlies could have possibly pushed Golden State to seven games and maybe even won the series. All of that combined, makes Memphis better than any team listed so far and are a lock for top ten.
6. Los Angeles Clippers
So far, the superstar duo of Kawhi Lenard and Paul Gorge hasn’t lived up to the hype, but mostly because of injury. Along with the addition of John Wall, the Clippers are going to be scary next year, and could challenge the Warriors for the western conference, but a wildcard factor keeps them from anywhere higher on this list.
5. Phoenix Suns
The Suns have been one of the most controversial teams to rank heading into next season, due to their terrible exit from the playoffs. Doncic and the Mavericks defeated them in a 33 point blowout in game 7 of their series. Then questions surrounding Deandre Ayton followed Phoenix into free agency when then the Indiana Pacers offered Ayton a four year 133 million dollar offer, which was matched by the Suns, causing Ayton to stay in Phoenix. Then rumors of Kevin Durant getting traded to Phoenix spiraled and all in all nothing has changed.
Despite all the drama the Suns did put together a 60+ win season last year which means that it has secured its spot in the top five.
4. Miami Heat
The Heat were one shot away from the finals last year. Butler played his heart out in the Conference finals against the Celtics, where he averaged 25.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. The Heat were banged up in that series with Tyler Herro missing time along with Kyle Lowry but they still almost won, which easily puts them in the top four.
3. Milwaukee Bucks
Despite falling in the second round to the Celtics, Milwaukee still recently won a championship and can’t be put any lower. Giannis Antentokoumpo is the best player in basketball and Khris Middelton and Jrue Holiday make up a great supporting cast. If Middelton wasn’t injured, the bucks might have beaton Boston and went on to win it all, so obviously they are a top three team heading into next year.
2. Boston Celtics
Although Milwaukee might have beat them if Middelton was healthy, the Celtics still won the series, and then went on to win the series against The Heat, so you can’t take that away from them. Despite struggling against the Warriors, Boston still played great all playoffs long and are expected to continue to do so next season. Also Boston added point guard Malcom Brogdon from Indiana who will help fill the Celtics lack of point guard depth last season. The fact that the Celtics made it to the Finals secured their spot here in the top 10.
1. Golden State Warriors
Steph Curry. This name will forever be remembered in basketball. The greatest shooter of all time. One of the best point guards of all time. The most humble player of all time.
Curry showed all of these things in this year's finals. He hit an absurd 31 three pointers, averaging 5.16 threes a game. Had an incredible 43 point game four in Boston, and after he had been declared Finals MVP when a reporter asked him about what the award meant to him he said: "Forget that, we champs!"
But Curry wasn’t the only reason that Golden State won. Andrew Wiggins and Klay Thompson both played amazingly, with Draymond Green and Jordan Poole also chipping in.
And because the Warriors won it all they are, of course the number #1 NBA team, heading into next season.