1. Denver Nuggets 2022-23 record: 53-29 Result: Won NBA Finals 2024 title odds: +450
Nothing can spoil the Nuggets’ championship summer bliss, but losing Bruce Brown and Jeff Green in free agency are blows to their title defense. Brown was an integral part of their championship run, and his versatility will be missed. Green’s veteran experience, especially in the locker room, will also be difficult to replace. The Nuggets re-signed Reggie Jackson with hopes that he will play a bigger role off the bench. Christian Braun is poised for more minutes, and Peyton Watson could have an opportunity in camp to enter the rotation. Denver, which also added Justin Holiday, hopes one of their rookies — Julian Strawther, Jalen Pickett and Hunter Tyson — can potentially be another contributor like Braun. — Youngmisuk
2. Milwaukee Bucks 2022-23 record: 58-24 Result: Lost East first round 2024 title odds: +650
The Bucks were successful in keeping their core together this summer, bringing back both Brook Lopez and Khris Middleton on multi-year deals to run it back with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday, but with a new coach at the helm. With their core four intact, Milwaukee once again expects to be in contention at the top of the Eastern Conference. — Collier
3. Boston Celtics 2022-23 record: 57-25 Result: Lost East finals 2024 title odds: +550
Few teams made more dramatic swings this summer than the Celtics signing Jaylen Brown to a historic max contract and swapping Marcus Smart, long the heart-and-soul of the roster, for Kristaps Porzingis. The move raises Boston’s championship ceiling, giving it a totally different look offensively than it had before and creating a completely different dynamic within the team. Only time will tell if it’s a swing that will connect or miss entirely. — Bontemps
4. Phoenix Suns 2022-23 record: 45-37 Result: Lost West semifinals 2024 title odds: +850
The Suns have as skilled of a Big 3 as you’ll find in the league in Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal and Devin Booker. Do they have the depth of a champion, though? James Jones & Co. made some savvy moves, adding Eric Gordon for the vet minimum and acquiring upside darlings in Bol Bol, Yuta Watanabe and Chimezie Metu, but Frank Vogel will have his work cut out coaching so many new players with title expectations. — McMenamin
5. Miami Heat 2022-23 record: 44-38 Result: Lost NBA Finals 2024 title odds: +1800
EDITOR’S PICKS
How the new CBA rule could bring parity to the NBA 2dTim Bontemps
NBA free agency: Reaction to the biggest signings of the summer 1d
NBA trade grades: Breaking down the Mavs-Celtics swap and the biggest moves 20d The Heat are in a holding pattern due to their interest in trading for Damian Lillard, who lists Miami as his lone preferred destination, prompting Portland general manager Joe Cronin to declare that a resolution to the All-NBA guard’s trade request could take months. In the meantime, Miami lost a couple of key contributors to its NBA Finals run with the free agency departures of Max Strus and Gabe Vincent. — MacMahon
RFranger
I know I’m taking the power rankings cheap engagement bait but fuck it — how the hell are the sixers ranked higher than the warriors lol. I don’t think anyone in their right mind would pick Philadelphia over the warriors in a 7 game series, with or without harden.
ether_ver256
Does anyone think that the Nuggest will struggle next season?
Role players won’t be as motivated, KPJ is likely to revert to playing for himself, no real roster improvements, and a tougher regular season schedule with a mark on their heads. Anecdotally, small-market teams and first-time title winners have never won consecutive titles since the Rockets in 94&95.
They are contenders but can’t see them going B2B. Thoughts?
boogonevilla
It’s cray that mainstream media has yet to see the Xs and Os associated w CP on the Ws
_homage_
Didn’t realize Jordan got traded to the Detroit Pistons. Thanks ESPN
Thurrsby
It feels like they’re undervaluing the CP trade quite a bit. And I mean, I get it. It’s not entirely clear how the team will operate with Paul on the roster, but I think both he and Saric bring a lot of stability that wasn’t there last year. If they end up playing well in the system, I think we are going to be very good.
LaughingPlanet
>Jordan Poole on the Detroit Pistons
🤔🤔🤔
ImTheBestNerd
Warriors are #1 y’all, league doesn’t understand they let us sign Dario motherfucking Saric.
8 Comments
1. Denver Nuggets
2022-23 record: 53-29
Result: Won NBA Finals
2024 title odds: +450
Nothing can spoil the Nuggets’ championship summer bliss, but losing Bruce Brown and Jeff Green in free agency are blows to their title defense. Brown was an integral part of their championship run, and his versatility will be missed. Green’s veteran experience, especially in the locker room, will also be difficult to replace. The Nuggets re-signed Reggie Jackson with hopes that he will play a bigger role off the bench. Christian Braun is poised for more minutes, and Peyton Watson could have an opportunity in camp to enter the rotation. Denver, which also added Justin Holiday, hopes one of their rookies — Julian Strawther, Jalen Pickett and Hunter Tyson — can potentially be another contributor like Braun. — Youngmisuk
2. Milwaukee Bucks
2022-23 record: 58-24
Result: Lost East first round
2024 title odds: +650
The Bucks were successful in keeping their core together this summer, bringing back both Brook Lopez and Khris Middleton on multi-year deals to run it back with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday, but with a new coach at the helm. With their core four intact, Milwaukee once again expects to be in contention at the top of the Eastern Conference. — Collier
3. Boston Celtics
2022-23 record: 57-25
Result: Lost East finals
2024 title odds: +550
Few teams made more dramatic swings this summer than the Celtics signing Jaylen Brown to a historic max contract and swapping Marcus Smart, long the heart-and-soul of the roster, for Kristaps Porzingis. The move raises Boston’s championship ceiling, giving it a totally different look offensively than it had before and creating a completely different dynamic within the team. Only time will tell if it’s a swing that will connect or miss entirely. — Bontemps
4. Phoenix Suns
2022-23 record: 45-37
Result: Lost West semifinals
2024 title odds: +850
The Suns have as skilled of a Big 3 as you’ll find in the league in Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal and Devin Booker. Do they have the depth of a champion, though? James Jones & Co. made some savvy moves, adding Eric Gordon for the vet minimum and acquiring upside darlings in Bol Bol, Yuta Watanabe and Chimezie Metu, but Frank Vogel will have his work cut out coaching so many new players with title expectations. — McMenamin
5. Miami Heat
2022-23 record: 44-38
Result: Lost NBA Finals
2024 title odds: +1800
EDITOR’S PICKS
How the new CBA rule could bring parity to the NBA
2dTim Bontemps
NBA free agency: Reaction to the biggest signings of the summer
1d
NBA trade grades: Breaking down the Mavs-Celtics swap and the biggest moves
20d
The Heat are in a holding pattern due to their interest in trading for Damian Lillard, who lists Miami as his lone preferred destination, prompting Portland general manager Joe Cronin to declare that a resolution to the All-NBA guard’s trade request could take months. In the meantime, Miami lost a couple of key contributors to its NBA Finals run with the free agency departures of Max Strus and Gabe Vincent. — MacMahon
I know I’m taking the power rankings cheap engagement bait but fuck it — how the hell are the sixers ranked higher than the warriors lol. I don’t think anyone in their right mind would pick Philadelphia over the warriors in a 7 game series, with or without harden.
Does anyone think that the Nuggest will struggle next season?
Role players won’t be as motivated, KPJ is likely to revert to playing for himself, no real roster improvements, and a tougher regular season schedule with a mark on their heads. Anecdotally, small-market teams and first-time title winners have never won consecutive titles since the Rockets in 94&95.
They are contenders but can’t see them going B2B. Thoughts?
It’s cray that mainstream media has yet to see the Xs and Os associated w CP on the Ws
Didn’t realize Jordan got traded to the Detroit Pistons. Thanks ESPN
It feels like they’re undervaluing the CP trade quite a bit. And I mean, I get it. It’s not entirely clear how the team will operate with Paul on the roster, but I think both he and Saric bring a lot of stability that wasn’t there last year. If they end up playing well in the system, I think we are going to be very good.
>Jordan Poole on the Detroit Pistons
🤔🤔🤔
Warriors are #1 y’all, league doesn’t understand they let us sign Dario motherfucking Saric.