Power Rankings: Thunder set sights on title defense
NBA Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's basketball editors.
On the eve of the 2025-26 campaign, we're looking at how things shape up as the regular season begins. Title odds courtesy of theScore Bet.
Jump to:
ATL | BKN | BOS | CHA | CHI | CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GSW | HOU | IND | LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN | NOP | NYK | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX | POR | SAC | SAS | TOR | UTA | WAS
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
Title odds: +200
With the Thunder locking up their core this summer, OKC fans can feel confident about their squad defending its crown. Only a couple of Western Conference teams improved enough to potentially pose a challenge in the playoffs, and a weaker Eastern Conference will make them heavy favorites in any Finals matchup.
2. Denver Nuggets
Title odds: +650
Denver has the ingredients for another title run. Jonas Valanciunas gives the Nuggets a dependable backup center, while Cameron Johnson and Tim Hardaway Jr. provide some much-needed floor spacing. Bruce Brown's also back for another stint and should be an asset on both ends.
3. New York Knicks
Title odds: +1000
A season ago, the Knicks' starting lineup played 940 minutes together - 226 more than any other lineup in the league. They've helped address the issue by bolstering the bench with free-agent acquisitions Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers
Title odds: +650
De'Andre Hunter's expected shift to the starting five may be the subtle tweak that finally returns the Cavs to the conference finals after a disappointing 2025 postseason. Once his foot heals from surgery, Max Strus should also be a better fit on an overhauled second unit.
5. Houston Rockets
Title odds: +1500
Fred VanVleet's injury is a major loss, but the emergence of Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun plus the addition of Kevin Durant's reliable offensive contributions should give Ime Udoka and Co. credible hopes of bettering last season's finish.
6. Minnesota Timberwolves
Title odds: +1800
Minnesota's banking on sophomores Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr. to fill the bench void left by Nickeil Alexander-Walker's exit. If they're ready, the Timberwolves will have a surprisingly deep rotation that can alleviate the scoring pressure on Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle.
7. Orlando Magic
Title odds: +1800
It came at a hefty cost, but the Magic hope that Desmond Bane's arrival is the missing piece of the puzzle. With an emerging core led by Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero, Orlando is looking to upset the power balance in the East.
8. Golden State Warriors
Title odds: +2200
The Warriors aren't wasting any of Stephen Curry's final seasons. Though both are undersized, 39-year-old Al Horford might be Draymond Green's best frontcourt partner in years. Jonathan Kuminga's short-term deal also gives Golden State a potential trade chip come February.
9. Los Angeles Clippers
Title odds: +1600
The Kawhi Leonard saga overshadowed a productive offseason. The Clippers added athleticism with the acquisition of John Collins, brought in Bradley Beal on a low-risk deal, and solidified their depth with the signings of Chris Paul and Brook Lopez.
10. Atlanta Hawks
Title odds: +2800
Atlanta could return to the East finals for the second time in the Trae Young era. Newcomers Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kennard, and Alexander-Walker should bolster its 3-point shooting. The Hawks will also benefit from Porzingis' pick-and-roll game and defensive presence.
11. Los Angeles Lakers
Title odds: +1500
Luka Doncic is looking chiseled and LeBron James is still LeBron James (despite the troublesome sciatica issue), though the Lakers are short on reliable role players. Could Deandre Ayton be a difference-maker? Chances of that are slimmer than Doncic.
12. San Antonio Spurs
Title odds: +5000
Victor Wembanyama's conspicuous preseason confidence should put the rest of the NBA on notice. If No. 2 pick Dylan Harper acclimates quickly alongside De'Aaron Fox and Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle, the playoffs are a realistic goal for Mitch Johnson's youngsters.
13. Dallas Mavericks
Title odds: +3300
Dallas locked up P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford to solidify the frontcourt around Anthony Davis and No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg. Meanwhile, D'Angelo Russell is a solid stopgap option at the point with Kyrie Irving recovering from an ACL tear.
14. Detroit Pistons
Title odds: +4000
Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson not only give the Pistons some needed floor spacing, but the vets will help Cade Cunningham build upon his sensational 2024-25 season. Jaden Ivey's minor knee setback shouldn't keep Detroit from shaking up the East.
15. Memphis Grizzlies
Title odds: +10000
Injury-stricken Memphis is already facing an uphill battle in a stacked Western Conference with starters Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Zach Edey sidelined. The Grizzlies also lost four of their top five 3-point shooters over the offseason, including Desmond Bane.
16. Miami Heat
Title odds: +12500
Norman Powell's shot-creation will help a mediocre Heat offense, especially with Tyler Herro sidelined to start the campaign. Nikola Jovic was rewarded with an extension and is poised for a breakout year starting alongside Bam Adebayo in the frontcourt.
17. Boston Celtics
Title odds: +3000
Jaylen Brown's preseason hamstring scare was a stark reminder of just how tenuous and threadbare this Celtics roster is. Even if Jayson Tatum's recovery from an Achilles tear is miraculous, it may not be enough to save what feels doomed to be a gap year in Boston.
18. Milwaukee Bucks
Title odds: +6000
Under no circumstances do Myles Turner, Kyle Kuzma, and Kevin Porter Jr. make for a more dependable supporting cast than Brook Lopez, Khris Middleton, Damian Lillard, and Pat Connaughton, though the Bucks' missing link, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, has returned from a one-season sojourn. Rack 'em.
19. Indiana Pacers
Title odds: +8000
The Pacers are all but eyeing a lost season, having made the thrifty decision to let Myles Turner walk in the wake of Tyrese Haliburton's Achilles tear. Could Indiana be a sneaky pick to tank after reacquiring its 2026 first-round pick?
20. Philadelphia 76ers
Title odds: +3300
Are people sleeping on the 76ers in a depleted East? What if they're actually good, and both Joel Embiid and Paul George remain healthy, and Tyrese Maxey takes the next step toward superstardom? What if none of this happens?
21. Sacramento Kings
Title odds: +50000
The Kings are running it back with a core of Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Malik Monk, but the ceiling is low for a team that will almost certainly move at least one of the aforementioned group before the deadline.
22. Chicago Bulls
Title odds: +50000
Chicago is finally prioritizing its youth after languishing in self-imposed purgatory for years. With Josh Giddey now locked in, the Bulls are hoping for a major breakthrough from another young player. It could be Matas Buzelis' time to shine.
23. Phoenix Suns
Title odds: +50000
Kevin Durant, general manager James Jones, and head coach Mike Budenholzer were the key departures amid an offseason of wholesale changes for a Suns franchise that admitted it needed a massive reset after prior malpractice. Expectations are incredibly low.
24. New Orleans Pelicans
Title odds: +50000
Dejounte Murray's likely out through December, yet New Orleans relinquished its 2026 first-rounder to trade up for Derik Queen. While making the playoffs was already far from guaranteed, the franchise is in for a self-inflicted nightmare if it falls short again.
25. Portland Trail Blazers
Title odds: +30000
Portland's still thinking long term, which is why it brought back Damian Lillard. Though he likely won't play this year, his presence should be valuable for Scoot Henderson, who hopes to validate the team's trust in him after a shaky start to his career.
26. Toronto Raptors
Title odds: +15000
Toronto has some talented pieces on its roster, but can Brandon Ingram, RJ Barrett, and Scottie Barnes all co-exist? There are also questions about spacing, as some of the Raptors' best lineups feature multiple non-shooting threats.
27. Charlotte Hornets
Title odds: +100000
Expectations remain low, though LaMelo Ball needs to stay healthy for the Hornets to have any chance at being competitive. Brandon Miller was making strides in his second year before suffering a season-ending wrist injury.
28. Washington Wizards
Title odds: +100000
Washington should improve upon last season's 18-win mark with veterans CJ McCollum and Khris Middleton in the starting five. The Wizards also snagged sharpshooter Tre Johnson in this year's draft and took a flyer on Cam Whitmore.
29. Brooklyn Nets
Title odds: +100000
"We have one (first-round) pick in 2026, and we hope to get a good pick," Nets owner Joe Tsai said. "So, you can predict what kind of strategy we will use for this season." Not hard to read between the lines here.
30. Utah Jazz
Title odds: +100000
Although knee soreness cut his preseason short, Ace Bailey lived up to the hype in his first two appearances. The Jazz will be bad, but another "worst season in franchise history" probably isn't in the cards. Probably.