I was thinking recently about NBA commissioner Adam Silver’s comments that this is a “highlights-based sport,” and I realized something: There was a lot of truth in what he said, and he’s not just an unintended messenger. He’s a fan, and as a fan, you say what you feel sometimes.
These Power Rankings? Absolutely highlights-based. I have to keep in mind that these rankings are an over-the-counter supplement to those who just want something quick to analyze when you discuss your team. I bring that up because today is a holiday of sorts for way too many NBA fans who have access to Photoshop or artificial intelligence. It’s the day that trade restrictions are lifted for many of this offseason’s free-agent acquisitions!
Getting people to watch games (or have the accessible choice to watch games) is one issue. Some people, however, don’t even watch the games but can’t wait to use a flawed trade machine. If it’s not a highlights-based league, then it’s a transaction-based league. So here we are: Power Rankings serving as an imperfect collision of your interests — bite-sized analysis and an acknowledgement of trade season.
Fine print: These Power Rankings won’t just rank every team. We’ll retain the tiers that teams will be promoted into and relegated out of. There will be five tiers each week:
Top Contenders – Locked at five, these are the class of the league
In a Good Place – Could be one team, could be seven teams
The Bubble – Not to be confused with Walt Disney World. The middle of the pack
Not the Tier to Fear – Not playing the worst ball in the league, but with a lot of work to do
Basement Floor – Bringing up the rear
What to expect from Power Rankings:
These are my subjective rankings. I will consider a variety of objective measures, but it’s my final call.
These rankings are not just a review of the past week — we are projecting forward as well, so it is a balance of the two.
These are subjective, but not biased. There are no agendas in the Power Rankings, and we strive for an inclusive meritocracy
The one quality that these rankings possess: “Ruthless aggression.”
Enjoy the games, and enjoy the rankings, please!
For Week 9 of The Athletic NBA Power Rankings, we will explore trade winds for each team. Win-loss records and other statistical data are through Sunday’s action.
Tier 1: Top Contenders
1. Oklahoma City Thunder (24-2)
Last ranking: 1In the last week: W vs PHO, L vs SAOffensive rating: 119.8 (fifth place) Defensive rating: 103.4 (first place)
Trade Winds: PF Ousmane Dieng
All that hand-wringing about an A or an A-minus. I said what I said. Anyway, the Thunder have only lost two games this season, and they led by more than 15 points in both of them. Saturday’s NBA Cup semifinal loss to the Spurs was also the first time all season that the ideal starting lineup of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luguentz Dort, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein was used at all. When it comes to the trade front, the Thunder obviously would be justified in keeping this group together. But any deal might have to include Dieng, who was actually taken one spot over Williams in the 2022 draft. Dieng has made 43.8 percent of his 3s but rarely sees the floor and is set to be a 2026 restricted free agent.
2. Denver Nuggets (18-6)
Last ranking: 2In the last week: W at SACOffensive rating: 124.4 (first place) Defensive rating: 114.8 (17th place)
Trade Winds: PF Zeke Nnaji
The Nuggets haven’t had Aaron Gordon or Christian Braun for nine straight games, and they’ve won six of them. It hasn’t been a murderer’s row of opponents, but winning is more important than schedule-making. They host the Rockets twice this week, the team Gordon last started against before injuring his hamstring, so the Nuggets can do something. As for potential moves? Good luck with that. Nnaji’s contract is more of a “wish you could trade” for Denver instead of anything realistic, so he’s here more as an example of not overvaluing your own picks. Nnaji is averaging a career-low 8.3 minutes per game and has a 2027 player option.
3. Detroit Pistons (20-5)
Last ranking: 3In the last week: W vs ATLOffensive rating: 117.4 (ninth place) Defensive rating: 111.1 (third place)
Trade Winds: PF Tobias Harris
The Pistons were the first Eastern Conference team to reach 20 wins, and while they’re not blowing up the conference like last year’s Cleveland Cavaliers, they may be more balanced. Detroit defends at a high level and has size and depth, so naturally, the Pistons are going to be in conversations about potential talent upgrades, as there’s a tier-level talent drop-off after Cade Cunningham. Harris is in his 15th NBA season, he is Detroit’s No. 3 scorer, and he is in a contract year. He’s the most obvious barometer to measure Detroit’s appetite for going all in.
4. Houston Rockets (16-6)
Last ranking: 4In the last week: W vs LACOffensive rating: 121.4 (fourth place) Defensive rating: 111.0 (second place)
Trade Winds: SF Tari Eason
The Rockets could certainly use some ballhandling help because of Fred VanVleet’s recovery from knee surgery, but they have limited avenues to find a solution there. Free-agent acquisition Dorian Finney-Smith, who is 32, has a 2028 player option, but he has yet to debut with Houston after having ankle surgery. Eason hasn’t played in a month because of an oblique injury, but he is expected to return this week. Though Eason may be the easiest player to trade, Houston should probably hold onto him given how well he fits the Rockets’ style of play.
5. New York Knicks (18-7)
Last ranking: 7In the last week: W at TOR, W at ORLOffensive rating: 122.0 (second place) Defensive rating: 113.3 (11th place)
Trade Winds: PF Guerschon Yabusele
The Knicks get to play for a championship! I’m glad Spike Lee is here to enhance these moments. New York has won nine of 10 games and is humming offensively. Naturally, the Knicks are going to be in the middle of every trade. Yabusele was the team’s top offseason acquisition, but he has played 15 minutes in a game twice all season. His signing reminds me of when Dallas signed Grant Williams two years ago; Williams was ultimately traded midway through his lone season with the Mavericks.
Tier 2: In a Good Place
6. San Antonio Spurs (18-7)
Last ranking: 9In the last week: W at NO, W at LAL, W at OKCOffensive rating: 118.0 (seventh place) Defensive rating: 113.8 (14th place)
Trade Winds: PF Jeremy Sochan
Victor Wembanyama has returned, and Saturday night was arguably his most impactful NBA performance considering the opponent and the stakes. The Spurs still have room to figure out how to balance minutes and touches for their explosive guard trio of De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper while also not forgetting about Devin Vassell, Harrison Barnes, Keldon Johnson and Julian Champagnie now that Wembanyama is back. A player who has been completely forgotten is Sochan, who was out of the rotation even before Wembanyama returned. Sochan is a 2026 restricted free agent, and he may be of more use to San Antonio as part of a trade package that could return a better shooter.
7. Los Angeles Lakers (18-7)
Last ranking: 5In the last week: L vs SA, W at PHOOffensive rating: 118.0 (eighth place) Defensive rating: 116.5 (20th place)
Trade Winds: PF Rui Hachimura
The biggest credit the Lakers have for themselves this season is that they have a lot of important undefeated marks that many of you are eager to see regress. Following Sunday’s near debacle at Phoenix that saw the Lakers blow a 20-point lead but hold on, Los Angeles is now 7-0 after losses, 9-0 in clutch time, 16-0 when leading at the end of three quarters and 16-0 when leading by more than 10 points at any point of the game. The losses are loud, but they respond to all of them immediately, and they don’t have issues winning. They do have issues defending, running, passing and creating offense from the bench. Hachimura has been one of the best play finishers at the forward position, but he is in a contract year, and he may need to be sacrificed to provide this roster with better balance.
8. Minnesota Timberwolves (17-9)
Last ranking: 8In the last week: L vs PHO, W at GS, W vs SACOffensive rating: 118.0 (sixth place) Defensive rating: 113.2 (10th place)
Trade Winds: PG Rob Dillingham
Minnesota is only 4-7 against teams that were over .500 when it faced them this season, making the Timberwolves the best team in the league that has a losing record against good teams. Backhanded compliment, but they are also taking care of business against teams below their weight class, and now they’re doing it while missing Anthony Edwards periodically. While Bones Hyland has helped out lately with Edwards dealing with foot soreness, fellow small guard Dillingham hasn’t figured out how to score in the NBA yet. I can’t see Minnesota cutting bait on a player it moved up to select in the top 10. But the Timberwolves need guard help, and both Dillingham and Mike Conley are shooting under 37 percent from the field.
9. Boston Celtics (15-10)
Last ranking: 6In the last week: L at MILOffensive rating: 121.4 (third place) Defensive rating: 115.0 (18th place)
Trade Winds: PG Anfernee Simons
Simons represents the bench offense in Boston now that 2025 Sixth Man of the Year Payton Pritchard is basically in the Jayson Tatum role. The Celtics are having a very good season (poor trip to Milwaukee this past week aside), but the salary-cap considerations will make the trade deadline interesting. Simons is in a contract year, and he’s playing about as well as Boston could expect.
10. Orlando Magic (15-11)
Last ranking: 10In the last week: W vs MIA, L vs NYOffensive rating: 115.7 (11th place) Defensive rating: 112.1 (sixth place)
Trade Winds: PG Tyus Jones
Jalen Suggs went from matching Jalen Brunson’s scoring output in the first half Saturday to being unable to get a field goal after halftime, in part because of a hip injury that knocked him out of the game for good in the fourth quarter. Prior to Suggs trying to gut it out in Las Vegas, Jones continued to struggle to make an impact, which opened the door for Orlando rookie Jase Richardson to finish the loss to the Knicks. Expect Jones’ $7 million expiring contract to be shopped hard by the Magic, and don’t be surprised if they don’t find any takers amid Jones’ worst season (34.3 percent field goals).
Andrew Wiggins has a player-option decision to make after this season. (Mike Watters / Imagn Images)
Tier 3: The Bubble
11. Miami Heat (14-11)
Last ranking: 11In the last week: L at ORLOffensive rating: 115.0 (13th place) Defensive rating: 111.9 (fifth place)
Trade Winds: PF Andrew Wiggins
Miami began this month by smoking Norman Powell’s former team, the LA Clippers. The Heat haven’t won since, dropping four games in a row while failing to come close to their season average of 121.7 points per game. Wiggins has a $30.2 million player-option decision after the season. If Miami is going to insist on starting Davion Mitchell, Tyler Herro and Norman Powell together every night with Bam Adebayo, then it will be interesting for the Heat to determine what that group’s ceiling can be in the spring and if all of those players can be back with Wiggins next season.
12. Toronto Raptors (15-11)
Last ranking: 12In the last week: L vs NYOffensive rating: 115.1 (12th place) Defensive rating: 113.2 (ninth place)
Trade Winds: SG RJ Barrett
Toronto’s offense was at its best with Barrett on the floor, and his sprained knee has put Toronto in somewhat of a tailspin, as the Raptors have lost six of seven games. It’s hard to see how Toronto would upgrade if it doesn’t include Barrett, a 2027 free agent, in a move. Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes seem to be entrenched as cornerstones, Immanuel Quickley is signed through 2029, and Jakob Poeltl is signed through 2030.
13. Atlanta Hawks (15-12)
Last ranking: 15In the last week: L at DET, W vs PHIOffensive rating: 114.5 (14th place) Defensive rating: 114.0 (15th place)
Trade Winds: PG Trae Young
Young is finally nearing a return from a knee injury that has sidelined him since the end of October. Atlanta has survived without him, but the Hawks are not exactly thriving and in a familiar spot: the middle of the East standings. Kristaps Porziņģis is probably the more conventional trade piece, but his recurring illness could be disqualifying for teams. Young has a nearly $49 million player option decision after the season, and there are enough notable point guards who could be swapped to keep Young in the conversation of possibilities over the next seven weeks.
14. Philadelphia 76ers (14-11)
Last ranking: 16In the last week: W vs IND, L at ATLOffensive rating: 114.4 (15th place) Defensive rating: 113.3 (12th place)
Trade Winds: SF Kelly Oubre Jr.
Oubre is out indefinitely because of a left knee sprain, and he will be a free agent after this season. Paul George just had his highest scoring game as a 76er, though his 35-point effort came in a loss Sunday at Atlanta. What’s interesting to look at is the fact that Philadelphia has started two-way players Dominick Barlow or Jabari Walker at power forward for 18 of the team’s 25 games this season. At least one of those two needs to be promoted, and trading Oubre may be one avenue toward making that happen.
15. Cleveland Cavaliers (15-12)
Last ranking: 14In the last week: W at WAS, L vs CHAOffensive rating: 115.8 (10th place) Defensive rating: 113.2 (eighth place)
Trade Winds: C Jarrett Allen
Cleveland felt special last season. This season, the Cavs are barely beating the Wizards while getting outplayed at home by a Hornets team missing Lonzo Ball’s brother. Many anticipated the Cavaliers waiting until the offseason to make big moves, but the microscope is certainly on this group ahead of the trade deadline. Allen made his return to the lineup after missing nine of the previous 10 games, and his return comes right when power forward Evan Mobley will likely miss the rest of the month with a calf strain. Cleveland has only gotten four games out of the quartet of Allen, Mobley, Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell this season.
16. Phoenix Suns (14-12)
Last ranking: 13In the last week: W at MIN, L at OKC, L vs LALOffensive rating: 114.2 (16th place) Defensive rating: 114.2 (16th place)
Trade Winds: C Nick Richards
The Suns have a lot of centers, but the roles are simple. Mark Williams is the contract-year starter. Oso Ighodaro is the young backup. Khaman Maluach is the rookie and the future but certainly not the present. That leaves Richards, an expiring contract who is basically just insurance now.
17. Golden State Warriors (13-14)
Last ranking: 17In the last week: L vs MIN, L at POROffensive rating: 113.4 (20th place) Defensive rating: 111.8 (fourth place)
Trade Winds: PF Jonathan Kuminga
Kuminga can’t be traded until Jan. 15. Until then, head coach Steve Kerr and point guard Stephen Curry will continue to find ways to discuss Kuminga’s inconsistent participation. The good news is that the Warriors got Curry back from injury this past week. But Golden State dropped both conference games despite special Curry performances; the 12 3s as part of Curry’s 48-point performance were the most made in a Golden State loss in Curry’s career.
Tier 4: Not the Tier to Fear
18. Dallas Mavericks (10-16)
Last ranking: 19In the last week: W vs BRKOffensive rating: 108.8 (28th place) Defensive rating: 112.2 (seventh place)
Trade Winds: C Anthony Davis
Remember when Davis was brought to Dallas to play power forward? That vanity role appears to be over, at least for now. Dereck Lively II is out for the season, while Daniel Gafford still misses a lot of time on his own. These are interesting times for the Mavericks. Davis is playing and performing well, and the Mavericks have won five of six after starting 5-15. Davis has a $62.8 million player option in 2027, when he’ll be 34 years old.
Could Ja Morant be on the way out in Memphis? (Matthew Smith / Imagn Images)
19. Memphis Grizzlies (11-14)
Last ranking: 18In the last week: L vs UTAOffensive rating: 111.8 (25th place) Defensive rating: 113.8 (13th place)
Trade Winds: PG Ja Morant
Memphis got another setback with Zach Edey suffering a left ankle stress reaction that will cost him another month. The Grizzlies got Ja Morant back, but they’re just 4-9 with Morant and 7-5 without him. Morant has two more seasons after this one left on a deal that will pay him $44.9 million in 2027-28, and his scoring average has dropped four seasons in a row.
20. Portland Trail Blazers (10-16)
Last ranking: 20In the last week: L at NO, W vs GSOffensive rating: 113.8 (18th place) Defensive rating: 117.2 (22nd place)
Trade Winds: C Robert Williams
It seems like Williams has been an oft-injured trade target for his entire time in Portland. And I do mean oft-injured; Sunday was only the 42nd game Williams played for the Trail Blazers, and this is his third season with the team. But Williams can be an impactful defender and rebounder given health and playing time, as Sunday demonstrated. Portland is 3-0 against the Warriors and 7-16 against every other team this season, and Williams had a double-double off the bench. Williams is in the last year of his contract, and Portland has three other centers in starting Donovan Clingan, stretch option Duop Reath and rookie Yang Hansen.
21. Milwaukee Bucks (11-16)
Last ranking: 21In the last week: W vs BOS, L at BRKOffensive rating: 113.4 (21st place) Defensive rating: 117.0 (17th place)
Trade Winds: PF Giannis Antetokounmpo
Many of the players on this list would need to be traded to even think about getting a news headline. Then there’s Antetokounmpo, who has two brothers on his team because of the mere thought that his dissatisfaction with Milwaukee could lead to a blockbuster. Antetokounmpo is currently injured, and the Bucks haven’t sustained success without him, hitting rock bottom Sunday in a 45-point loss in Brooklyn. If the Bucks needed to win games without Antetokounmpo to retain him, then they’re not leaving the necessary impression.
22. Utah Jazz (9-15)
Last ranking: 23In the last week: W at MEMOffensive rating: 113.3 (22nd place) Defensive rating: 120.7 (29th place)
Trade Winds: PF Georges Niang
Niang was a key bench player for the top-seed Cavaliers entering last February’s deadline. He’s been traded three times since, and he has yet to debut this season in Utah because of a stress reaction in his left foot. As Niang nears a return to play, it will be interesting to see if he can pick up from where he left off last season, particularly as a 40-percent 3-point shooter.
23. Brooklyn Nets (7-18)
Last ranking: 24In the last week: L at DAL, W vs MILOffensive rating: 112.8 (23rd place) Defensive rating: 118.1 (25th place)
Trade Winds: SF Ziaire Williams
Brooklyn has won four of six after a 3-19 start. Similar to Will Hardy in Utah, the Nets are going to need to strip Jordi Fernández of players if they hope to stay in prime position for a lottery spot. The issue is who would Brooklyn part ways with? I’m putting Williams here as a young 3-and-D wing who has a team option after the season.
24. Chicago Bulls (10-15)
Last ranking: 25In the last week: W at CHA, L vs NOOffensive rating: 112.1 (24th place) Defensive rating: 117.4 (24th place)
Trade Winds: SG Coby White
It’s not White’s fault that the Bulls went from starting 5-0 to dropping 15 of 20. But White is going to be an interesting potential target since his contract expires at the end of the season. White is scoring more than ever while averaging 7.6 free-throw attempts per game, but the Bulls are just 3-6 when he plays.
25. Charlotte Hornets (8-18)
Last ranking: 22In the last week: L vs CHI, W at CLEOffensive rating: 113.8 (17th place) Defensive rating: 117.3 (23rd place)
Trade Winds: PG LaMelo Ball
Ball is another point guard on the fringes of stardom, As good as he is when he does play, Ball has frustrating on-court traits while losing a lot of time because of injury. But Charlotte might be more likely to be able to move contract year guard Collin Sexton, as Ball will make $46.4 million in 2028-29, the final year of his current contract.
Tier 5: Basement Floor
26. LA Clippers (6-19)
Last ranking: 27In the last week: L at HOUOffensive rating: 113.6 (19th place) Defensive rating: 118.7 (26th place)
Trade Winds: PG Chris Paul
The Clippers have already declared that Paul’s tenure is over, and Dec. 15 is the first day that he can be traded. LA has continued to lose without Paul, with each clutch-time loss more exasperating than the last. The real question is how untouchable the rest of the roster is if (when?) the losses pile up, as the team already has only a few commitments to players beyond 2027.
27. New Orleans Pelicans (5-22)
Last ranking: 30In the last week: L vs SA, W vs POR, W at CHIOffensive rating: 111.5 (26th place) Defensive rating: 119.7 (28th place)
Trade Winds: PF Zion Williamson
Williamson’s return from an adductor strain came from the bench for the first time in his seven-year career. New Orleans got a win in that game, and that followed a blowout win in Portland and a close loss to the Spurs that featured an exceptional triple-double from Derik Queen. The Pelicans don’t have lottery incentive to lose games, but if the right offer comes for Williamson, it would be interesting to see if the Pelicans bite the bullet, particularly with Queen emerging.
28. Washington Wizards (4-20)
Last ranking: 29In the last week: L vs CLE, W at INDOffensive rating: 109.2 (27th place) Defensive rating: 123.0 (30th place)
Trade Winds: SG CJ McCollum
The Wizards continue to win games just to stay out of last place in these rankings. Two veterans bear watching in Washington. One is Khris Middleton, a 34-year-old whose best seasons are clearly behind him. And then there is McCollum, who is also 34 years old and in the final year of his contract but has shown far more viability than Middleton as a scorer and shooter.
29. Indiana Pacers (6-20)
Last ranking: 28In the last week: W vs SAC, L at PHI, L vs WASOffensive rating: 108.2 (30th place) Defensive rating: 116.1 (19th place)
Trade Winds: SF Bennedict Mathurin
Indiana looked like it might have a spark after winning back-to-back games, but then the Pacers got mauled by Joel Embiid before getting completely shut down against the Wizards at home, a notable low point of the season. Mathurin is going to be a restricted free agent after the season, and the Pacers win when he is good. Indiana has a 5-4 record when Mathurin scores at least 19 points and is 1-16 when he doesn’t. If Indiana doesn’t value Mathurin enough as a part of the redeem team once Tyrese Haliburton can return, then perhaps moving Mathurin now is an option.
30. Sacramento Kings (6-20)
Last ranking: 26In the last week: L at IND, L vs DEN, L at MINOffensive rating: 108.5 (29th place) Defensive rating: 119.6 (27th place)
Trade Winds: SF DeMar DeRozan
The Kings looked like they may have gotten a spark with Keegan Murray back in the starting lineup, as they won Murray’s first two starts. But now they’ve lost seven of eight. They’re just not good at anything, and they managed to lose to the only team with a worse offense than theirs last week in Indiana. All of the veterans need to go, but the one with the most interesting value is DeRozan, who still makes 50.1 percent of his field goals at age 36. DeRozan’s final year of his contract is in 2026-27, and it’s partially guaranteed while being much less than Zach LaVine’s or Domantas Sabonis’ deals.
