NBA Power Rankings for all 30 teams after a wild start to 2026 offseason
SB Nation • • sports
Key Points:
- The Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, and New York Knicks are considered the top three NBA contenders for the 2026-2027 season, with the Thunder ranked No. 1 due to their strong core and elite defense.
- The Sacramento Kings, Milwaukee Bucks, and Chicago Bulls are projected to be among the worst teams, with limited roster strength and developmental challenges for their young players.
- Several teams like the Brooklyn Nets, New Orleans Pelicans, and Golden State Warriors have potential but face uncertainties due to injuries, roster fit, or lack of offseason moves.
- Notable offseason moves include the Lakers building around Luka Doncic with a key acquisition of Walker Kessler, and the Spurs adding Tobias Harris to support Victor Wembanyama and Dylan Harper.
- The draft lottery features a "relegation zone" that limits the worst teams' odds for top picks but guarantees they won't fall below No. 12 in the 2027 draft, impacting the rebuilding strategies for struggling franchises.
