NBA power rankings: Will deadline deals lift Lakers, Warriors to contention?

Posted by author February 19, 2025 NBA

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Two months remain in the NBA’s regular season followed by two months of playoff basketball.

Some teams have established themselves as championship contenders: Cleveland, Oklahoma City, Boston and Denver.

Some are trying to prove they are title contenders: Memphis, Houston, New York, Indiana, Milwaukee.

And two teams – the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors – are hoping trade deadline deals with Luka Doncic joining LeBron James in L.A. and Jimmy Butler joining Steph Curry and Draymond Green in the Bay Area propel them into contention. But they don’t have a lot of time to figure it out. However, Doncic and Butler have Finals experience.

Here are USA TODAY’s post-NBA All-Star Weekend power rankings with championship odds courtesy of BetMGM:

NBA power rankings

1. Cleveland Cavaliers (44-10)

The first-place Cavaliers are coming out of the All-Star break on a four-game winning streak and 5½ games of second-place Boston in the Eastern Conference.

Championship odds: +800

2. Oklahoma City Thunder (44-10)

The Thunder have the No. 1 defense in the league, allowing 104.5 points per 100 possessions.

Championship odds: +225

3. Boston Celtics (39-16)

The Celtics are the only team in the league who rank in the top five offensively (No. 4) and defensively (No. 5).

Championship odds: +225

4. Denver Nuggets (36-19)

The Nuggets are on an eight-game winning streak, clobbering teams with their offense and are just a ½ behind third-place Memphis in the Western Conference.

Championship odds: +1400

5. New York Knicks (36-18)

Karl-Anthony Towns averaged 23.4 points, 11.8 rebounds and 1.3 steals and shot 50% from the field, 42.9% on 3s and 86.3% on free throws as the Knicks won eight of 10 before the All-Star break.

Championship odds: +1300

6. Memphis Grizzlies (38-18)

The Grizzlies are No. 5 offensively and No. 7 defensively and clinging to second place in the West.

Championship odds: +2500

7. Los Angeles Lakers (32-20)

The Lakers have the fifth-best net rating in the past 10 games, outscoring opponents by 10.5 points per 100 possessions.

Championship odds: +1400

8. Los Angeles Clippers (31-23)

The Clippers won 11 of 17 games before the All-Star break – quietly lurking in sixth place in the West.

Championship odds: +3500

9. Houston Rockets (34-21)

The Rockets have lost seven of their past nine games in a conference where a few consecutive losses can drop a team from second place to clinging to fourth place.

Championship odds: +5000

10. Minnesota Timberwolves (31-25)

Starting with a victory on Christmas and ending with victory over Oklahoma City before the All-Star break, the Timberwolves have been a top-six team.

Championship odds: +5000

11. Indiana Pacers (30-23)

Since a 10-15 start, the Pacers are 20-8, moving from 11^th place to fourth place in the Eastern Conference.

Championship odds: +10000

12. Dallas Mavericks (30-26)

It’s going to be a long time before the Luka Doncic trade doesn’t dominate the conversation surrounding the Mavericks.

Championship odds: +4000

13. Milwaukee Bucks (29-24)

Among Eastern Conference teams, the Bucks have the toughest remaining schedule according to tankathon.com.

Championship odds: +3000

14. Detroit Pistons (29-26)

The sixth-place Pistons are just two games behind Indiana for fourth place in the East.

Championship odds: +50000

15. Golden State Warriors (28-27)

The Warriors have made it clear that the next two-and-a-half seasons are about trying to win a title with Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler.

Championship odds: +4000

16. Sacramento Kings (28-27)

Can the Kings, from ownership down, get out of their own way?

Championship odds: +30000

17. Orlando Magic (27-29)

Since returning three weeks ago from an injury, Franz Wagner has scored at least 30 points in four of 12 games, including two games of 37 points.

Championship odds: +10000

18. Phoenix Suns (26-28)

The Suns are in danger of missing the postseason with the highest roster payroll in the league.

19. Atlanta Hawks (26-29)

Is Trae Young’s future with the Hawks? Or another team?

Championship odds: +100000

20. San Antonio Spurs (23-29)

The Spurs need to get the Victor Wembanyama–De’Aaron Fox partnership on a winning path.

Championship odds: +12500

21. Miami Heat (25-28)

With the Jimmy Butler saga behind them, the Heat can focus on basketball.

Championship odds: +20000

22. Portland Trail Blazers (23-32)

The Blazers had won 10 of 11 before losing three consecutive games headed into the All-Star break. Does a promising future include Chauncey Billups staying on as head coach?

Championship odds: +75000

23. Brooklyn Nets (20-34)

The Brooklyn Nets’ tank job hit a snag as they have won six of their past 10 games after a seven-game losing streak.

Championship odds: +100000

24. Chicago Bulls (22-33)

The Bulls are one of five teams in the East that have lost at least four consecutive games before the All-Star break.

Championship odds: +100000

25. Philadelphia 76ers (20-34)

The 76ers lost five straight headed into the All-Star break, and the lost season continues.

26. Toronto Raptors (17-38)

Despite the record, there is optimism the Raptors are headed in the right direction with Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, Jacob Poeltl and Gradey Dick.

Championship odds: +100000

27. Utah Jazz (13-41)

So, who wants Cooper Flagg?

Championship odds: +100000

28. Charlotte Hornets (13-39)

The Hornets want Cooper Flagg.

Championship odds: +100000

29. New Orleans Pelicans (13-42)

So do the Pelicans.

Championship odds: +100000

30. Washington Wizards (9-45)

And so do the Wizards.

Championship odds: +100000

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