NBA Power Rankings: A New Year's resolution for each team

The NBA Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's basketball editors.

This week, we're handing out New Year's resolutions for all 30 teams as we head into 2023.

1. Boston Celtics (25-10)

Previous: 1

Reintegrate Robert Williams. The Celtics center has averaged just 18.4 minutes in five contests after missing the first 29 games. Boston will need Williams at full strength to bring its defense back to an elite level.

2. Denver Nuggets (22-11)

Previous: 5

Improve defensively. Denver's inability to get stops could hurt the team down the line. A rim-protecting backup center or perimeter stopper should be at the top of the Nuggets' shopping list at the trade deadline.

3. Brooklyn Nets (22-12)

Previous: 7

Get on the boards. Despite Brooklyn’s recent strong play as of late, the Nets rank 29th in rebounding. They're also dead last in offensive rebounding. That weakness will be exposed against big wings and centers in the playoffs.

4. Milwaukee Bucks (22-11)

Previous: 3

Ease Giannis Antetokounmpo's burden. The Bucks star is second in the league with a 37.3% usage rate, which isn't an ideal recipe for playoff success. Milwaukee needs a healthy Khris Middleton to help him out.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers (22-13)

Previous: 6

Share the rock. Cleveland ranks 24th in assists despite boasting one of the Association's top playmakers in Darius Garland. The return of pass-first guard Ricky Rubio could promote a more unselfish brand of play.

6. Philadelphia 76ers (20-13)

Previous: 9

Keep the Big Three healthy. The 76ers have thrived this season with Joel Embiid, James Harden, and Tyrese Maxey unavailable for stretches. To reach its championship ambitions, Philadelphia will need all three players active.

7. Memphis Grizzlies (20-13)

Previous: 4

Add more shooting. While Memphis doesn't have any glaring weaknesses, the team could use another floor-spacer. The Grizzlies rank 21st in 3-point percentage; only Desmond Bane is shooting close to 40%.

8. New Orleans Pelicans (21-12)

Previous: 2

Get Brandon Ingram healthy. The Pelicans star has missed 14 straight games due to a nagging toe injury. He'll need more reps alongside Zion Williamson for this team to make a deep playoff run.

9. Phoenix Suns (20-15)

Previous: 8

Trade Jae Crowder. Phoenix has withstood Crowder’s absence and a long-term meniscus injury to Cameron Johnson. Swapping out Crowder for another wing will bring the Suns more depth.

10. Los Angeles Clippers (21-15)

Previous: 12

Figure out the offense. The Clippers are 27th in offensive rating, only ahead of three bottom-feeders. They've found other ways to keep winning, but this team will need peak Kawhi Leonard to be considered a true contender.

11. Dallas Mavericks (19-16)

Previous: 16

Add a rim protector. The Mavericks could use more protection around the basket. Dallas is 27th in blocks per game. No Maverick has averaged two blocks since Kristaps Porzingis in 2019-2020.

12. Sacramento Kings (17-15)

Previous: 10

Ensure Keegan Murray's upward trajectory continues. The No. 4 pick started off slow, averaging just 10.6 points on 39.8% shooting through November. He's shown promising signs of improvement by scoring 13.8 points on 46.4% shooting in December.

13. New York Knicks (18-17)

Previous: 14

Force more errors. Despite boasting the 11th-best defense, New York ranks in the bottom third in both steals and opponents' turnovers per game. An increase in miscues should unlock the Knicks' middle-of-the-pack transition attack.

14. Utah Jazz (19-17)

Previous: 18

Plug holes defensively. Over the last 10 games, the Jazz are giving up the highest opponent field-goal percentage in the league at 51.3%. On the season, Utah ranks 26th in defensive rating.

15. Portland Trail Blazers (18-16)

Previous: 11

Add a defensive-minded guard. Josh Hart has been crucial for the Blazers. Portland has been good when he plays but has a disastrous minus-8.9 net rating when he sits. Gary Payton II's return could help mitigate that issue.

16. Miami Heat (17-17)

Previous: 19

Add a forward. Caleb Martin has been solid but isn't equipped to guard elite scorers like Jayson Tatum and Kevin Durant. Given Jimmy Butler's frequent injuries, the Heat could use another defensive wing.

17. Atlanta Hawks (17-17)

Previous: 15

Clear the air. The Hawks have reportedly been managing issues between Trae Young and Nate McMillan throughout the campaign. Both need to be on the same page if Atlanta hopes to make a deep playoff run.

18. Indiana Pacers (18-17)

Previous: 17

Keep turnovers down. Indiana ranks in the 24th in turnovers this season. Limiting chances for opponents could bring the Pacers into the play-in conversation.

19. Golden State Warriors (17-18)

Previous: 13

Rediscover road success. The Warriors were 22-19 away from home last season, good for the NBA's 11th-best road record. Golden State isn't close to that mark this campaign, posting a 3-16 mark.

20. Minnesota Timberwolves (16-18)

Previous: 22

Take care of the ball. Opponents are punishing the T-Wolves for their miscues. Minnesota is surrendering 20.2 points per game off turnovers, which is the third most in the league.

21. Chicago Bulls (14-19)

Previous: 23

Better clutch play. Chicago is 5-11 in games within five points in the final five minutes of regulation or overtime, the league's second-worst mark. A few more wins in crunch time would put the Bulls in a play-in tournament position.

22. Toronto Raptors (15-19)

Previous: 21

Acquire rotation guards. The Raptors' roster has a glaring lack of shooting and ball-handling. They need to add floor-spacers and a backup point guard to lower Fred VanVleet's minutes.

23. Oklahoma City Thunder (15-19)

Previous: 24

Get SGA some help. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's extraordinary play has put the Thunder in play-in tournament contention. The front office owes its star an opportunity to play in the postseason and should search the market for an impact piece.

24. Orlando Magic (13-22)

Previous: 26

Close out games better. Orlando's 7-13 record in clutch situations is 26th in the league. Even though the Magic have won eight of their last 10 games, they must execute better down the stretch.

25. Los Angeles Lakers (14-20)

Previous: 20

Hope Anthony Davis' foot injury isn't a fracture. Frankly, the Lakers' season is over if Davis is out for months. If he returns within a few weeks, they might have a chance at the play-in.

26. Washington Wizards (14-21)

Previous: 25

Lean into tanking. The Wizards haven't picked in the top five since drafting Otto Porter in 2013. Washington has lost 14 of its last 18 games and possesses a 9% chance of gaining the top selection.

27. San Antonio Spurs (11-23)

Previous: 27

Commit to improving somewhere. San Antonio is one of three teams that are in the bottom five in both offensive and defensive rating. The Spurs can improve their league-worst net rating by shoring up one side of the ball.

28. Houston Rockets (10-24)

Previous: 28

Unleash Alperen Sengun. The Rockets center is just fourth on the team in shot attempts despite being arguably their best offensive player. Sengun leads Houston's rotation players in catch-all advanced stats such as win shares and box plus/minus.

29. Charlotte Hornets (9-26)

Previous: 29

Play the youngsters. Injuries to LaMelo Ball and Gordon Hayward have put the Hornets in an insurmountable hole. It's time to see if the likes of James Bouknight and Bryce McGowens fit the club's long-term plans.

30. Detroit Pistons (8-28)

Previous: 30

Get everyone involved. Detroit ranks 27th league-wide in assists with 22.1 per game. With Cade Cunningham out for the season due to a shin injury, coach Dwane Casey needs to find ways to create easier opportunities.