NBA Power Rankings: The Bottom Feeders
26. Sacramento Kings
The Kings are a team that, well.. I just don’t know. They didn’t really improve, and I don’t think Davion Mitchell alone is going to be able to improve the team enough to marginally affect Sacramento’s record. De’Aaron Fox is a fantastic point guard, and this team feels better than this spot. As of right now, though, I don’t know who to put under the Kings. Maybe if Haliburton takes a step, Hield continues to be one of the best shooters in the NBA, and Barnes does not regress, we might see the Kings in a play-in spot – I’m just not optimistic.
27. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are in danger of entering purgatory. If they pay the wrong people from this point forward, there’s a chance this team gets stuck in mediocrity, developing a core that may not be worth it in the long run. With that said, I’m high on Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, so maybe I’m wrong.
28. Detroit Pistons
I love Cade Cunningham. I don’t love the rest of this team. Hayes/Bey/Grant/Stewart is a fun starting lineup, and I think Olynyk is a fun veteran to add to the frontcourt. Still, this team won’t make much noise, but Cade is likely my pick for Rookie of the Year.
29. Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets had like… four first round picks in the 2021 NBA Draft. I can’t say I love how they used them, but Jalen Green is going to be extremely fun alongside Christian Wood and Kevin Porter Jr. Overall, this team is very young and will show flashes, but won’t make much of an impact this season.
30. OKC Thunder
Yeah, this team is bad. It’s young and will get significantly better. But as of right now, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is going to have to carry the rest of the roster through games.