NBA Power Rankings: Mavs plummet, Celtics rise and a burning question for every team

There are just a couple of weeks left in the 2022-23 regular season, and I’m not sure how much clarity we have in the NBA yet.

Milwaukee, Boston and Philadelphia? Super good. Denver? Also super good. Teams like Cleveland, Sacramento and Memphis? We love them! They’re good too. What do injuries to Golden State, Phoenix and the Los Angeles teams mean for the West? What about Dallas and its post-trade deadline existence? A lot of questions there too. And that’s where we are this week in the Power Rankings.

We still have at least one burning question for every team as we head into the final two weeks. I’ll ask one for each team, sort of answer it, leave some ambiguity for wiggle room and, in the process of all this, flawlessly rank the teams 1-30 for the 24th straight week.

Reminder: The Power Rankings don’t just rank the 30 teams. We divide these teams into tiers, which any of the teams can move in and out of. We have the tiers in the Power Rankings broken into six categories:

Eliminated, a.k.a Wembanyama Watch — Teams that have already been eliminated from the postseason, and have been stalking Victor Wembanyama.
Turning toward the tank — Life is finding a way to correct what’s been confusing.
Looking to make the Play-In — They’ve been rebuilding/retooling and think they can crack the top 10 in their respective conference.
Play-In Tournament teams Or Better — They should be in the mix unless something disastrous happens.
On the brink of contention — A piece away from us believing they can win the title.
Contenders — They are contending for the championship, barring a massive injury.

As always, I am sure we will all agree on the placement of all 30 teams, especially your favorite team.

Here’s how the Power Rankings work:

It’s up to my discretion how the rankings shake out. For some teams, they’ll be hit in the short term. Others will be given the benefit for the long term. Yes, it is entirely subjective.
If I have a team ahead of another team, there’s no reason to ask why they’re ranked above the team you like. The answer is pretty simple: I think that team is set up better for success.
Yes, I watch the games. And yes, I watch your favorite team.
This is supposed to be fun, so let’s have fun with it.

With all that said, let’s dive into Week 24 of the The Athletic’s NBA Power Rankings. Stats and records are through Sunday’s action.

Tier 1: The Contenders

1. Milwaukee Bucks (previously first) | 53-21 | +4.1 net rating

Weekly slate: Win over Spurs, Win at Jazz, Loss at Nuggets

One burning question: Does Khris Middleton still have it?

Middleton has only played in 29 games this season, and his overall numbers look mediocre by his standards. But since he came back to the court on Jan. 23, there is actually quite a bit to like about him and his impact. Let’s take a look at the numbers:

Before Jan. 23:

11 games, 11.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 32.5/26.8/89.5 shooting splits, 24.4 minutes
4-3, -4.8 net rating on the court, +1.4 net rating off the court

Since Jan. 23:

22 games, 16.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 46.4/34.7/89.9 shooting splits, 24.4 minutes
18-4, +10.3 net rating on the court, +6.8 net rating off the court

Middleton has absolutely turned a corner, and he’s played at least 30 minutes in five of their last eight games. I just don’t know if he’s quite back to being himself. And considering the gauntlet at the top of the East, the Bucks will need everybody at their best. At least things are trending in the right direction for Middleton and the Bucks and they have a little bit of time to get him back up to speed.

2. Boston Celtics (previously third) | 52-23 | +6.5 net rating

Weekly slate: Win at Kings, Win over Pacers, Win over Spurs

One burning question: Are they still the team we saw in the first three months of the season?

In the first couple months of this season, the Celtics were demolishing everything in front of them. Their defense was good, and their offense was elite. Their ball movement and shooting were tremendous. It took all you had just to hang in most games with them. Then stagnation hit. Some complacency hit. A couple injuries hit here and there, but we saw the Celtics cool off a lot. Since losing four of five with multiple losses to the Knicks, the Celtics have won seven of nine, and their offense has been killing again. Granted, it’s been a pretty easy schedule, but they needed it to reset. We can’t expect them to execute like this in the playoffs past the first round. The challengers for the East crown are legitimate. But can the Celtics keep up the ball movement and a lot of this outside shooting? It would punch their ticket back to the NBA Finals.

3. Denver Nuggets (previously fourth) | 50-24 | +4.2 net rating

Weekly slate: Win at Wizards, Win over Bucks

One burning question: Will the defense hold up in the rigors of the playoffs?

Look at how good the Nuggets look once again. They had their hiccup for the season with some head-scratching losses. Then they corrected things this past week, punctuating it all with a dominant home win over Milwaukee. Their offense remains one of the best in NBA history, and their defense is pretty middle of the road for this season. Is that good enough? When we get into the thick of the playoffs, teams are going to hunt Nikola Jokić (improved defender, but they’ll try to wear him down), Michael Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray. The good news for Denver is the Nuggets don’t foul much and they defend the 3 very well. But they have to cut off the driving lanes and make teams play deep into shot clocks.

4. Philadelphia 76ers (previously second) | 49-25 | +4.7 net rating

Weekly slate: Loss to Bulls, Win at Bulls, Loss at Warriors, Loss at Suns

One burning question: Is Joel Embiid going to be this monster in the postseason?

Embiid could very well end up with the MVP hardware for this season, but we’ve had some questionable playoff performances from him in the past. He hasn’t completely disappeared by any means, and we’ve seen some good, spirited performances. But where is the dominant run we’ve been waiting for? His best series of his career is either against Atlanta (30.4 points, 12.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 46.9/35.7/81.7 shooting splits and a loss) or last postseason against Toronto (26.2 points, 11.3 rebounds, 52.0 percent from the field and a win). We haven’t seen a dominant run through multiple series by Embiid. This is the time to see it. This is the time for him to look like Godzilla can’t handle him.

GO DEEPER

Joel Embiid unplugged: On MVP race, how he feels entering playoffs, Sixers’ pressure to win

Tier 2: Brink of Contention

5. Cleveland Cavaliers (previously sixth) | 48-28 | +5.9 net rating

Weekly slate: Win at Nets, Win at Nets, Win over Rockets

One burning question: Can Donovan Mitchell make this team a contender?

We already knew the Cavs were good. The end to last season was brutal for them, but that was mostly due to injuries. It ruined a season that looked extremely bright and a massive step forward. Then they went all-in by trading for Mitchell to be their main star alongside Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. All four players have been incredible, but this Eastern Conference looks nearly impossible for most teams to crack through. Is Mitchell going to push the Cavs into that elite territory where Boston, Milwaukee and Philly reside? He will have to be more consistent with the ball, especially in crunchtime situations. But he’s talented enough to do it.

6. Memphis Grizzlies (previously seventh) | 47-27 | +4.5 net rating

Weekly slate: Win over Mavs, Win over Rockets, Win over Rockets, Win at Hawks

One burning question: Are they going to distract themselves too much for playoff success?

Ja Morant is back. Steven Adams is not yet. Dillon Brooks is still around and talking a lot. And the Grizzlies have won nine of their last 10 with an incredibly easy schedule. Two of the wins came at home against the Warriors (who can’t win on the road), three against Dallas (which completely unraveled), two against Houston, one against San Antonio and one against Atlanta. This team also needed an easy schedule to reset, withstand the Morant absence and get back to its winning ways. The Grizzlies still need Adams back, but do they have all of the distractions out of their system? Their penchant for trash talking might not allow that, but this team is incredible when they focus on the court and play their brand of basketball. They’re knocking on the door of contending, but they do need some maturity to take that next step.

7. Sacramento Kings (previously fifth) | 45-29 | +2.5 net rating

Weekly slate: Loss at Jazz, Loss to Celtics, Win over Suns, Win over Jazz

One burning question: When does this party train come to a complete stop this season?

The Kings have locked in a top-three seed in the West, when I’m not even sure the most ardent supporters would’ve guaranteed a Play-In spot in July. But the Kings have kicked the playoff door off its hinges. They still boast the best offense in NBA history. And they’re going to face either the Suns, Warriors or Clippers in the first round (unless shenanigans happen in that 6-12 range). That’s going to be a tough opponent for them in the first round, but is everybody done waiting for them to start losing again? It doesn’t mean they’ll definitely move on to the second round, but the Kings are a threat to all of those teams. Yes, even the Suns (if Kevin Durant isn’t right). You can exploit their defense, but you have to stop their offense some.

8. Phoenix Suns (previously ninth) | 39-35 | +1.8 net rating

Weekly slate: Loss at Lakers, Loss at Kings, Win over Sixers

One burning question: Will Kevin Durant save the day?

The Suns have been trying to tread water during this Durant absence. It hasn’t gone great either, although the win over Philadelphia this past week was really good. The Suns are just 3-6 since Durant hurt his ankle in pregame warm-ups. To their credit, they’ve also had a tough schedule in this stretch. It’s hopeful that Durant will be back on Wednesday. The Suns recently put T.J. Warren into the rotation, which should help a lot. But this is all about Durant and how great he can be. More importantly, how healthy he can be. If he’s healthy, this team is the one to beat in the West, no offense to Denver, Memphis and Sacramento. But how much can you count on KD staying healthy these days?

GO DEEPER

Suns’ Durant progressing toward return Wednesday

Tier 3: Play-In Tournament Teams Or Better

9. Miami Heat (previously 10th) | 40-35 | -1.0 net rating

Weekly slate: Win over Knicks, Loss to Nets

One burning question: Have the Heat finally turned the corner?

I asked this question before the loss to the Nets, but I still want to look at a bigger sample size than the beating Brooklyn put on them in the second half Saturday night. All season long, the Heat have been inexplicably bad at knocking down 3-pointers, and more importantly, open 3-pointers. They were great at it last season, and they’ve just stunk this season. Over the last 11 games (7-4), the Heat have made shots and lots of them. They’ve shot 50.1 percent from the field and 39.3 percent from deep. In the first 64 games of the season, they made 34.7 percent of open and wide-open 3-point attempts. In the past 11 games? They’re at 40.6 percent, including 45.3 percent on wide-open 3-pointers. If the Heat shoot like this, nobody wants to play them in the postseason.

10. Golden State Warriors (previously 14th) | 39-37 | +0.5 net rating

Weekly slate: Win at Rockets, Win at Mavs, Win over Sixers, Loss to Wolves

One burning question: Will the road issues get magically fixed in the playoffs?

I’m sure the Warriors and their fans are sick of this being a question, but that’s what happens when you’re the defending champs, still have your core and have a worse road record than Charlotte. Gary Payton II is back, and they still need to get Andrew Wiggins back at some point. The Warriors just can’t do anything right on the road. They will have to fix this in the postseason, and that involves playing team defense and not making dumb mistakes on offense. Is there a switch to flip? They’re hoping so because historically it’s really hard to do.

11. New York Knicks (previously eighth) | 42-33 | +2.4 net rating

Weekly slate: Loss to Wolves, Loss at Heat, Loss at Magic

One burning question: Is Julius Randle capable of being a proper second guy?

When it comes to getting things done down the stretch of games, Jalen Brunson is the top guy for the Knicks. And he’s the one who is the most playoff proven from the bunch after helping lead Dallas to the conference finals last year. Randle has to figure out how to complement him on the court and be a team guy. He can’t dribble and jab-step the life out of the ball. He has to move it quickly if a double-team comes. He has to knock down jumpers. If there’s a matchup for him to exploit, then take advantage. Otherwise, let Brunson cook and help him cook.

(Nathan Ray Seebeck / USA Today)

12. LA Clippers (previously 11th) | 39-36 | +0.2 net rating

Weekly slate: Loss to Thunder, Win over Thunder, Loss to Pelicans

One burning question: Does Paul George come back to stabilize the Clippers?

As we all wait for the Clippers to show us their potential in the postseason (yet again), something a little lost is how the Clippers are unbelievably good when Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are on the court together. They’re 24-14 when they both play and have a +8.9 net rating with them on the court together. Since Dec. 5, the Clippers have a 119.1 offensive rating when the two of them are both in the game. That’s a historic level of offense. If the Clippers avoid the Play-In and finish in the top six, they’ll get an extra few days to get George healthy and on the court. If he comes back and he’s close to 100 percent, will this finally be the postseason they both show what they can do together?

Tier 4: Looking to make the Play-In

13. Minnesota Timberwolves (previously 17th) | 38-37 | 0.0 net rating

Weekly slate: Win at Knicks, Win over Hawks, Win at Warriors

One burning question: Now that Karl-Anthony Towns is back, how does it all fit?

Towns is back. Anthony Edwards is back. Pretty much the entire team is healthy. So … now what? The Rudy Gobert trade was supposed to raise the floor of the team to hopefully what Utah was for a few years. The Wolves started out of the gate slow, and by the end of November, they were always missing at least one key member of the core. Towns is an incredible shooter, but two bigs clog up a lot of areas for guys like Edwards to operate. Chris Finch doesn’t have a lot of time to figure this out. Kyle Anderson could see his minutes take a hit, and he’s been important to their execution. They just have a lot of questions to answer with only a few remaining regular-season games.

14. Toronto Raptors (previously 12th) | 37-38 | +1.0 net rating

Weekly slate: Loss to Pacers, Win over Pistons, Win over Wizards

One burning question: Is this team going to simply make shots?

It really comes down to that for the Raptors. You look at their offensive numbers, and they’re in the top half of the league in offensive rating. They don’t turn the ball over, and they do a great job of hitting the offensive boards (especially on long rebounds). They get to the free-throw line a solid amount. And they’re one of the worst teams in basketball at making shots. Things have improved a little since acquiring Jakob Poeltl, but the Raptors still have a lot of guys missing jumpers. It’s a problem when you compound that with them giving up one of the highest effective field goal percentages in the league. The Raptors could be dangerous in the Play-In and first round. They’re better than their record. But something has to change with making shots or preventing them on the other end.

15. Chicago Bulls (previously 18th) | 36-38 | +1.1 net rating

Weekly slate: Win at Sixers, Loss to Sixers, Win at Blazers, Win at Lakers

One burning question: How does this roster get better to compete?

Maybe there is something here, even though I haven’t bought into the data that the Bulls can be this good defensively. Since Jan. 1, the Bulls have the best defensive rating in basketball. It’s also only helped them be 19-18 over this stretch, but it’s an improvement over what we saw up until that point. The Bulls pretty much have to re-sign Nikola Vučević because they don’t have cap flexibility. They have $20 million in Lonzo Ball for next season alone, and it doesn’t look like he’ll play. Maybe they could move Patrick Williams to improve the roster, but that then creates a hole you need to fill. The Bulls feel like they’re painted into this corner with this roster, and in today’s East, that’s not a good thing.

16. New Orleans Pelicans (previously 22nd) | 37-37 | +1.5 net rating

Weekly slate: Win over Spurs, Win over Hornets, Win at Clippers

One burning question: If Zion can’t be healthy, what’s the plan for their future?

There is so much to like about this Pelicans roster, even with the lulls they went through during this season. They had a horrible stretch — most of it seemed to be caused by injuries — in which they couldn’t score, couldn’t defend enough and lost a ton of games. While they’ve stabilized and started scoring/winning again, we’re once again wondering when Zion Williamson returns to the court. If he’s not going to play again this season, the ceiling gets dropped way down. If they can’t count on him in the future (the annoying prompt that comes with an injury-prone star), then how does this front office adjust? Is it hope guys like Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones become so good that you can afford to wait to plug Zion back into the mix? That might actually be a viable path if everything breaks right, but you can’t just keep hoping your franchise guy ends up healthy.

17. Los Angeles Lakers (previously 19th) | 37-38 | -0.1 net rating

Weekly slate: Win over Suns, Win over Thunder, Loss to Bulls

One burning question: How big of a threat are the Lakers if they’re healthy?

The Lakers played unbelievable basketball while LeBron James was out. In doing so, it raised the ceiling of what most non-Lakers fans should expect from them. But with LeBron back in the mix, how much should teams in the West fear them? As we saw on Sunday, working him back in isn’t the same as working back in most stars. Anthony Davis averaged 17.6 shots per game when James was out; he had eight attempts total against the Bulls. The entire ecosystem changes, and it takes time to adjust that. But if they can do it and stay healthy, can this team upset Denver? If they get to the No. 7 seed, should Memphis be worried?

GO DEEPER

LeBron returns earlier than expected, but could foot surgery be an offseason option?

18. Oklahoma City Thunder (previously 15th) | 37-38 | +1.1 net rating

Weekly slate: Win at Clippers, Loss at Clippers, Loss at Lakers, Win at Blazers

One burning question: Are the Thunder too young to make some noise?

The Mavs might be helping the Thunder make the Play-In Tournament, and OKC has looked really dangerous at times this season. They have an incredible scorer in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, an absolute flamethrower of a shooter in Isaiah Joe, someone who fills in a lot of gaps in Josh Giddey and a squad that is top-10 in defense despite the youth. Are they capable of doing what we saw out of New Orleans last year? The Pelicans had more veteran presences on their team, and the Thunder are just rolling with a lot of young guys on the roster. But could that be enough to cause a few upsets and end up in the playoffs? Can they challenge a No. 1 seed the way the Pelicans did a year ago? This Thunder team is good, but Dario Šarić is their biggest vet.

19. Atlanta Hawks (previously 20th) | 37-38 | 0.0 net rating

Weekly slate: Win over Pistons, Loss at Wolves, Win over Pacers, Loss to Grizzlies

One burning question: Do the Hawks have a problem with their star player?

As the Hawks toil through a second disappointing season following their conference finals appears in 2021, we’ve arrived at a point in which people are openly questioning whether or not Trae Young should be the long-term plan for this franchise. That seems stupid on the surface considering his immense talent. And maybe it’s stupid below the surface because of how hard it is to end up with a player like him. But his leadership is fine to question, as is the leadership of this whole organization. They made moves this past summer to take a leap. Instead they took a stumble. They fired Nate McMillan and replaced him with Quin Snyder, and you can’t really judge how that looks until next season when he’s had a chance to install his system and culture. If Young walks hand-in-hand with him in creating their culture, this looks like a dumb question. If another coach can’t be the answer with him…

20. Brooklyn Nets (previously 16th) | 40-35 | +0.8 net rating

Weekly slate: Loss to Cavs, Loss to Cavs, Win at Heat, Loss at Magic

One burning question: Will the Nets have problems getting stars back in the door?

Players always keep an eye on how teams treat other stars, and the Nets’ end with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant wasn’t exactly the smoothest thing we’ve ever seen. Nets’ governor Joe Tsai was an outspoken, aggressive voice against the trade request of Durant, the firing demands of Durant and most everything that happened with Irving. Even if you believe Tsai was in the right on all of it, it’s fair to wonder if the Nets will have trouble signing the next available stars (assuming they have cap space when available). Ultimately, it’s a great market to be in and max money is max money everywhere. But if they’re worried the next stars won’t be catered to in the same way KD and Kyrie were before the fallout, it could hinder some building plans. But you counteract that with having a good team to join, and again, the market.

21. Washington Wizards (previously 21st) | 33-42 | -1.0 net rating

Weekly slate: Loss at Magic, Loss to Nuggets, Win over Spurs, Loss at Raptors

One burning question: Are the Wizards going to break the bank to be a team in the middle?

The Wizards are already over the cap before we get into the Kyle Kuzma free agency. And Kuzma has earned himself a massive payday this summer when he can be a free agent. If he opts in for his player option at $13 million, his agent should be fired forever. Let’s assume Kuzma can sign something in the $20 million annual salary range. The Wizards are in luxury-tax territory for quite some time (until the cap jumps again with the new TV money). This team is better than their record says but not luxury tax better. Are we going to see the core shaken up this summer or in the next two summers?

GO DEEPER

For Wizards to have hope for future, they’ll have to take more L’s in present

22. Dallas Mavericks (previously 13th) | 36-39 | 0.0 net rating

Weekly slate: Loss at Grizzlies, Loss to Warriors, Loss to Hornets, Loss at Hornets

One burning question: Where do the Mavs go with the Kyrie Irving situation?

The wheels aren’t completely off yet, but damn this looks terrible for the Mavs. Dallas was 29-26 when Kyrie Irving first stepped on the court for the team. Now they’ve lost four straight games, including two straight to the lowly Hornets, and they are 11th in the West, on the outside looking in for the Play-In Tournament. When Irving made his Mavs debut, the team was sixth in the West. This isn’t necessarily a place to blame Kyrie either. The Mavs are broken in a lot of ways. The team is actually quite successful when Luka Dončić and Kyrie are in the game together, but they’re 3-8 in the 11 games they’ve teamed up for. Kyrie is going to be an unrestricted free agent, and Dallas may be in a corner in which they have to give him the full four-year max. This team desperately needs defensive-minded role players.

Tier 5: Turning toward the tank?

23. Orlando Magic (previously 26th) | 32-43 | -2.2 net rating

Weekly slate: Win over Wizards, Win over Knicks, Win over Nets

One burning question: Do the Magic need to take this slow or can they try to make an early leap?

I keep banging this drum, but since the Magic’s horrific 5-20 start, they’re above .500 with a 27-23 record. That feels significant to me in the same way the Pelicans were 33-30 in the final 63 games of last season. Orlando’s circumstances are different, but Jamahl Mosely’s squad has done really well for themselves. They have a really good duo of the future with Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. They have a lot of guys to still develop, and their core is maybe a little deeper than most assume. But should Orlando go out and try to bring in bigger role players to help now? Or should the Magic go the route of the slow rebuild and maybe grab some success like Memphis ended up with while having a young squad? I’d like to see the Magic take it slow, but they could finagle max cap space this coming summer if they want to.

24. Utah Jazz (previously 23rd) | 35-39 | -0.3 net rating

Weekly slate: Win over Kings, Loss to Blazers, Loss to Bucks, Loss at Kings

One burning question: Do the Jazz have to make the Play-In Tournament for this season to be a success?

When the Jazz moved Gobert and Mitchell this past summer, the big tank was assumed, and rightfully so, if we’re being honest. But Danny Ainge and Justin Zanik didn’t approach that tank so immediately. They ended up waiting until the trade deadline to gut the roster a little. In the meantime, they played spirited basketball and Will Hardy’s first year as a coach was better than expected (win-loss). Since the Jazz didn’t fully embrace the tank, don’t they have to make the Play-In Tournament? If they don’t make the top 10 in the West and they don’t bottom out for maximum lottery chances, how big of a success is this season? Unless some lottery chicanery happens, they may have stuck themselves in the middle this season for a roster that will be turned over a lot in the next couple years.

(Darren Yamashita / USA Today)

25. Indiana Pacers (previously 24th) | 33-42 | -2.9 net rating

Weekly slate: Loss at Hornets, Win at Raptors, Loss at Celtics, Loss at Hawks

One burning question: Should the Pacers avoid more of a roster teardown?

The Pacers aren’t quite a treadmill team at the moment, but they’re not exactly moving forward either. Tyrese Haliburton is a star and Bennedict Mathurin has the chance to be one down the road. There are a lot of good elements to this team, but it’s fair to question how they make the leap to get into the mix of top six annually in the East. Myles Turner has been on the trade block forever, and Buddy Hield is someone teams covet. They can make moves if they want to, but a full teardown — which I once thought was the way for them to go — might actually be a mistake. They can compete, grow and try to add one more piece through the draft or trade.

26. Portland Trail Blazers (previously 25th) | 32-42 | -2.1 net rating

Weekly slate: Win at Jazz, Loss to Bulls, Loss to Thunder

One burning question: Outside of Damian Lillard, what can the Blazers lean on?

The Blazers are packing up this season and heading their way toward a late run at tanking. They have a chance to get as low as the fifth pick without any lottery night chicanery. We know Damian Lillard is a pillar of this organization. What else do they have to lean on? Anfernee Simons is a very fun, young player, but the backcourt of he and Dame present a worse version of Dame and CJ McCollum. Jerami Grant is a free agent, and we don’t know if he’s coming back. Shaedon Sharpe is really fun, but not a person you rely on yet. Joe Cronin has tried to overhaul this roster, but it’s not in better shape than it was before.

Tier 6: Eliminated, a.k.a. Victor Wembanyama Watch

27. Charlotte Hornets (previously 29th) | 25-51 | -6.0 net rating

Weekly slate: Win over Pacers, Loss at Pelicans, Win at Mavs, Win over Mavs

One burning question: What does life post-Michael Jordan look like?

While Michael Jordan has been an important franchise owner in the history of the NBA, he hasn’t exactly been a good owner fostering winning basketball. Since 2010 when Jordan bought his majority stake in the franchise, the Bobcats/Hornets have the fifth lowest win percentage, just ahead of Minnesota, Sacramento, Orlando and Detroit. When Jordan officially sells off his ownership, he leaves the organization with a franchise player in LaMelo Ball, really cool uniforms, and a whole lot of question marks. Will the Hornets finally get a new life, much in the way the Warriors did when Joe Lacob and Peter Guber took over Golden State? Ending up with Victor Wembanyama certainly would help.

28. Houston Rockets (previously 27th) | 18-57 | -8.6 net rating

Weekly slate: Loss to Warriors, Loss at Grizzlies, Loss at Grizzlies, Loss at Cavs

One burning question: What the hell is happening here?

A lot of the things you hear about the Houston Rockets rebuild don’t sound good. Veteran players (maybe with negative intentions) seem to call out that there isn’t any accountability within the roster and the approach. Stephen Silas is unbelievably frustrated with what’s happening on the court. And there appears to be a complacency and acceptance of just getting blown out a lot of nights. There was a little progress recently and it got dashed this week. I, personally, still love the talent and potential of this roster, but the Rockets have to find a way to implement more direction and accountability to foster growth.

29. San Antonio Spurs (previously 28th) | 19-56 | -10.4 net rating

Weekly slate: Loss at Pelicans, Loss at Bucks, Loss at Wizards, Loss at Celtics

One burning question: Can the Spurs stomach if they don’t end up with a top-three pick?

This is no offense to Amen Thompson or Cam Whitmore or Ausar Thompson, but can the Spurs rest easy with this season if they don’t end up with a top-three pick? Ending up with Wembanyama is the reason they have the net rating and the record they own. Scoot Henderson or Brandon Miller would be fine consolation prizes after that, but dropping down to fourth or worse in the draft makes all this tanking/development tough to swallow. Not that the next players can’t end up being treasures in the development process, but the Spurs really need a franchise guy they currently lack.

30. Detroit Pistons (previously 30th) | 16-58 | -7.6 net rating

Weekly slate: Loss at Hawks, Loss at Raptors

One burning question: Do the Pistons have a collection of talent that makes sense?

There is a lot to like here. If Cade Cunningham can stay on the court, he looks like a franchise-level guy. Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren look like great lottery picks from this past draft. Marvin Bagley III and James Wiseman do still have very salvageable potential at just 24 and about to be 22, respectively. Isaiah Stewart is a big man who could definitely be in rotation for a good team. Out of those players named, four of them are big men. And there isn’t a ton of versatility within those big men. Detroit isn’t trying to win, and the Pistons are hoping the draft lands them the ultimate big man prospect. This group doesn’t fit together, but it doesn’t need to until they’re ready to move up the standings.

(Illustration: Eamonn Dalton / The Athletic; photo of Luka Dončić: Brock Williams-Smith / NBAE via Getty Images)

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