NBA Power Rankings: LA Lakers fall, Chicago Bulls reach top-10
NBA Power Rankings Tier 3: The Playoff Contenders
18. Portland Trail Blazers
The Trail Blazers are confusing. I love Damian Lillard (and always will), but hope they trade for Ben Simmons. There’s little to no depth – so if either of Lillard/McCollum go out for an extended period of time – it could be curtains on the season.
19. Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers may be worse than originally thought – but that’s okay without superstar wing Kawhi Leonard. They’ve played two games this year: losing to the Warriors by two and the Grizzlies by six.
20. Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves are really fun, but they’ve beaten two really bad teams in the Pelicans (without Zion) and Rockets. Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards, and D’Angelo Russell is a fun core – and there’s enough role players there to make things interesting if they want to make a playoff push.
21. Indiana Pacers
I tell you what, Chris Duarte looks incredible. Sabonis, as well, has looked like a star. It just has not culminated in wins. The Pacers have played three really tight games, losing to the Hornets and Wizards by one point each – and beating the Heat in overtime. They’ve got a rough schedule coming up, so it’ll be interesting to see how they do against some of the Eastern Conference heavyweights.
22. Toronto Raptors
The Raptors are fun! They’re not a great team, but they’re really fun. Scottie Barnes has displayed more scoring than anticipated, and he’s obviously going to give you something on the defensive end as well. Toronto has been without Pascal Siakam so far this season, so we’ll see how much his eventual return affects the team.
23. New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans are one of the few teams that is 0-3 at this point in the season. They’ve looked thoroughly unimpressive, losing to the Philadelphia 76ers, Chicago Bulls, and Minnesota Timberwolves. Granted, they are without Zion Williamson – but his unavailability may be more of a trend than we’re willing to admit.