NBA offseason power rankings: Despite big shifts, Dubs still rule
With free agency more or less settled, the chips are falling into place for the 2018-19 season. After another year of wild deals and surprising transactions, here are your NBA offseason power rankings:
1. Golden State Warriors
How do you make the two-time defending champions better? You insert DeMarcus Cousins, arguably the most talented center in the NBA, into the rotation. The Warriors officially have an All-NBA starting lineup.
2. Boston Celtics
The Celtics should head into the season with a healthy Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward. The former Jazz star will need to figure out how to play alongside young phenom Jayson Tatum, but that's a good problem to have.
3. Houston Rockets
Losing your two most versatile perimeter defenders is something Carmelo Anthony can't cure. Regardless, if the Rockets can't slow down opponents, they can outscore them as long as they have James Harden and Chris Paul.
4. Toronto Raptors
The Raps have gone all-in on Kawhi Leonard in hopes of a trip to The Finals. If he's healthy and engaged, this Toronto team could be a defensive juggernaut.
5. Philadelphia 76ers
They failed to secure Leonard or LeBron James this summer, but the Sixers still have an outstanding young core of Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, Dario Saric, and a healthy Markelle Fultz.
6. Oklahoma City Thunder
Concerns exist about OKC's lack of shooting, but the Thunder retained Paul George, still have Russell Westbrook and Steven Adams, could benefit from addition by subtraction with Anthony's exit, and will be getting Andre Roberson back from injury.
7. Utah Jazz
If Rudy Gobert remains healthy and Donovan Mitchell takes a step forward after an elite rookie season, Utah will be in position to continue advancing up the ranks as one of the scariest young teams in the league.
8. Los Angeles Lakers
How good will LeBron make this Lakers team? Put it this way: The Lakers' six-year playoff drought should end, as should James' eight-year run of reaching the NBA Finals.
9. San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs replaced Leonard with All-Star DeMar DeRozan, who should immediately become the top scoring option ahead of LaMarcus Aldridge. Can Gregg Popovich lead a team with no 3-point shooters to 50 wins?
10. Indiana Pacers
The Pacers will look to build off last season's surprising campaign after Victor Oladipo's unexpected emergence last year. A top-four finish in the Eastern Conference is fully within reason.
11. New Orleans Pelicans
They lost Cousins, but still have a couple of elite two-way players in Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday. Julius Randle should be an excellent fit in the Pelicans' frontcourt, as he's capable of switching on to every position.
12. Denver Nuggets
Adding Isaiah Thomas won't help an already suspect defense, but he'll have something to prove with the ball. Denver could be primed to capitalize if any of last year's playoff teams in the west fall out of the top eight.
13. Portland Trail Blazers
With the Western Conference loading up, the Blazers could find themselves on the outside looking in after finishing as a third seed last season. Portland made no significant moves this offseason, and will once again need to rely on Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum.
14. Milwaukee Bucks
Most applauded the Bucks' hiring of Mike Budenholzer as their new head coach. Now, if they could just surround Giannis Antetokounmpo with more consistent shooters ...
15. Minnesota Timberwolves
The T-Wolves' big offseason splash was re-signing Derrick Rose. Meanwhile, Jimmy Butler remains disappointed in the work ethic of young stars Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins. That doesn't sound like a recipe for success.
16. Washington Wizards
The Wizards enter another season with one of the most talented backcourts in the NBA, and a concurrent history of underachieving. Owner Ted Leonsis feels the additions of Dwight Howard, Austin Rivers, and Jeff Green could make this the deepest Wiz squad ever.
17. Miami Heat
The cap-strapped Heat will enter the season hoping for the re-emergence of Dion Waiters, and the return of Dwyane Wade. The continued development of Josh Richardson, Bam Adebayo, and Justise Winslow will be the focus of their future.
18. Detroit Pistons
Andre Drummond says he's ready to shoot more treys. That dynamic is needed alongside Blake Griffin, but Drummond has made only five career threes and taken 95 percent of his shots within 10 feet of the rim. New coach Dwane Casey oversaw an offensive diversification in Toronto last season - can he do the same in Detroit?
19. Los Angeles Clippers
The hopes of the Clippers' future will hang on the development of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Tobias Harris' performance this season should be a key storyline after he turned down a reported $80-million extension.
20. Cleveland Cavaliers
These post-LeBron Cavs won't be as bad as the 2010-11 version that prominently featured Ramon Sessions, but are Kevin Love, Collin Sexton, and the rest enough to get them back to the playoffs?
21. Dallas Mavericks
Luka Doncic, Dennis Smith Jr., and Harrison Barnes should give the Mavericks an exciting young trio as Dirk Nowitzki enters what could be the final year of his long career.
22. Charlotte Hornets
The pressure is on the Hornets to return to the postseason for the first time since 2016; franchise player Kemba Walker becomes an unrestricted free agent next summer.
23. Chicago Bulls
Chicago spent a lot of money on Zach LaVine and Jabari Parker, likely meaning they've given up on trying to play defense. The young duo, along with Lauri Markkanen and Kris Dunn, should still give Bulls fans a reason to watch this season.
24. Memphis Grizzlies
The only thing that indicates the Grizzlies aren't in full rebuild mode yet is the fact that Marc Gasol and Mike Conley are still on the roster. However, it behooves Memphis to be bad; their first-round pick next summer is only top-eight protected, otherwise it goes to the Celtics.
25. Orlando Magic
Exciting moves like re-signing Aaron Gordon and drafting Mo Bamba give Orlando some hope. Unfortunately, there's still no on-court direction, as the team enters the year with no legitimate point guard play and very little spacing.
26. Brooklyn Nets
The Nets will still be bad in 2018-19, but a silver lining exists. They're finally out from under the disastrous Kevin Garnett/Paul Pierce trade of 2013, and will have ample cap space and a New York City address to attract free agents next summer.
27. Phoenix Suns
The Suns have finally found Devin Booker a sidekick. Deandre Ayton should quickly become a favorite to win Rookie of the Year, but his defensive lapses will put Phoenix in a difficult position as the league shifts to small ball.
28. New York Knicks
Kevin Knox was a revelation at summer league, and the Knicks may depend on him early. Unfortunately for New York, there's still no timetable on Kristaps Porzingis' return.
29. Sacramento Kings
Always bank on the Kings' decision-making to put them in bad positions. After drafting Marvin Bagley III, Sacramento will have to find time for eight big men while their perimeter rotation remains razor thin. Classic Kings.
30. Atlanta Hawks
The early leaders in the R.J. Barrett sweepstakes. They'll also have some cheap food on sale this season at Philips Arena.