NBA Power Rankings: Tier 2, Likely playoff teams
6. Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets showed commitment to their core group of players when they gave Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. a combined $300 million this offseason. The Nuggets boast the reigning MVP in Nikola Jokic – and it’s hard not to like what Denver is building.
7. Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are an extremely entertaining team to watch. They beat the Los Angeles Lakers in the first-round of the playoffs last season, and managed to make it all the way to the NBA finals. This ranking is in no way intended to be a slight to the Suns – I’m just unsure they’ll be able to repeat their performance last season.
8. Miami Heat
The Miami Heat managed to bring in Kyle Lowry and PJ Tucker while also re-signing Duncan Robinson and retaining Tyler Herro. I don’t know how long Jimmy Butler will continue to play at his current level, but I really do hope he’s able to get a championship win with this Heat team – he’s completely unique in his work ethic and is the essence of what Miami tries to be year-to-year.
9. Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz were the first seed in the Western Conference this past season. They were downright legendary in terms of shooting the ball – but it’s hard to see both Jordan Clarkson and Joe Ingles maintaining their efficiency from last season. Still, they’ll be a threat to win any game or series.
10. Philadelphia 76ers
Nobody will know what to think of the 76ers until a Ben Simmons trade happens. Until then, they’ll have to start either a young Tyrese Maxey or Shake Milton at point guard. Neither of those guys are on the same caliber of Ben Simmons, though.
11. Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks will always be a threat with Luka Doncic. I hope that they are able to offload Kristaps Porzingis at some point, but there’s just a ton of perimeter threats with a supreme passer/facilitating talent.
12. Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics will always be a threat in the Eastern Conference. Not having Brad Stevens as coach isn’t favorable, and I do think the roster got slightly worse after trading Kemba Walker away (he was a legitimate threat when healthy).