NBA Power Rankings 2023-24: Nuggets Hope To Avoid Finals Hangover

By Andrew Norton | Sep 21, 2023, 3:16am

The 2023-24 regular season is quickly approaching, so the preseason NBA Power Rankings have been updated below. Weekly updates are every Monday during the regular season. See who tops the list for our updated NBA Power Rankings.

NBA Power Rankings 2023-24

We will be frequently updating the NBA Power Rankings throughout the 2023-24 regular season, highlighting which teams are hot and cold and which have the best shot at being the last team standing in June.

It has been a relatively quiet off-season, with many of the top teams entering the 2023-24 NBA season with similar squads. The Nuggets will be without Bruce Brown Jr, who signed with Indiana; however, they remain essentially unchanged outside of Brown’s absence.

Meanwhile, Milwaukee was able to resign Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez to retain its core group of guys. Boston decided to move on from Marcus Smart, handing the point guard position to Derrick White and inserting 7-foot-3 unicorn Kristaps Porzingis into the starting lineup.

Memphis secured the aforementioned Smart in a deal to add veteran leadership and replace Dillon Brooks’ defense; however, the Grizzlies are another team that did not make any other huge splashes.

Unless Philadelphia decides to trade James Harden amidst his claim that he will not play for the team, it will also enter the 2023-24 campaign with a familiar cast. The Sixers likely hold the most volatile outcome out of all of the teams that finished near the top of their respective conference due to the Harden situation, which we will keep an eye on as the 2023-24 season nears.

Besides adding movement shooter/sniper Jordan Hawkins in the 2023 NBA Draft, New Orleans decided to trust its existing roster, which is filled with a talented frontcourt and rangy wings. The Pelicans were tied for first place in the Western Conference nearly halfway through the 2022-23 season before losing Zion Williamson to what would become a season-ending injury.

Sacramento followed suit, making a subtle splash by signing EuroLeague MVP Sasha Vezenkov; however, it believes it can replicate last season’s massive success, specifically on the offensive end of the floor, with this team.

Denver, Milwaukee, Memphis, New Orleans, and Sacramento are just the tip of the iceberg, as Cleveland, New York, and Minnesota opted to stick to their respective guns.

As a matter of fact, Phoenix was the only team that made a substantial splash by trading the injury-riddled and aging Hall-of-Famer Chris Paul for a younger combo guard in Bradley Beal.

Whether the Suns’ top-heavy starting lineup strategy will work is yet to be seen; however, they have a good chance to be atop the Western Conference if they do click together and stay healthy. Phoenix provided the most resistance to last season’s champions, the Denver Nuggets, in the postseason, so it is very possible it now has enough talent to get over the hump.

Still, the confidence from a number of teams to “stand pat” with their current rosters should result in a hyper-competitive upcoming season. Take a look at our preseason NBA Power Rankings below, and don’t forget to head over to our NBA Championship page also to see our favorite championship contenders.

1. Denver Nuggets

2022-23 Record: 53-29
Previous Rank: NR
Offensive Rating: NR
Defensive Rating: NR
NBA Championship Odds:
To Win Western Conference:

2. Boston Celtics

2022-23 Record: 57-25
Previous Rank: NR
Offensive Rating: NR
Defensive Rating: NR
NBA Championship Odds:
To Win Eastern Conference:

3. Milwaukee Bucks

2022-23 Record: 58-24
Previous Rank: NR
Offensive Rating: NR
Defensive Rating: NR
NBA Championship Odds:
To Win Eastern Conference:

4. Phoenix Suns

2022-23 Record: 45-37
Previous Rank: NR
Offensive Rating: NR
Defensive Rating: NR
NBA Championship Odds:
To Win Western Conference:

5. Philadelphia 76ers

2022-23 Record: 54-28
Previous Rank: NR
Offensive Rating: NR
Defensive Rating: NR
NBA Championship Odds:
To Win Eastern Conference:

6. Los Angeles Lakers

2022-23 Record: 43-39
Previous Rank: NR
Offensive Rating: NR
Defensive Rating: NR
NBA Championship Odds:
To Win Western Conference:

7. Memphis Grizzlies

2022-23 Record: 51-31
Previous Rank: NR
Offensive Rating: NR
Defensive Rating: NR
NBA Championship Odds:
To Win Western Conference:

8. Sacramento Kings

2022-23 Record: 48-34
Previous Rank: NR
Offensive Rating: NR
Defensive Rating: NR
NBA Championship Odds:
To Win Western Conference:

9. Cleveland Cavaliers

2022-23 Record: 51-31
Previous Rank: NR
Offensive Rating: NR
Defensive Rating: NR
NBA Championship Odds:
To Win Eastern Conference:

10. New Orleans Pelicans

2022-23 Record: 42-40
Previous Rank: NR
Offensive Rating: NR
Defensive Rating: NR
NBA Championship Odds:
To Win Western Conference:

11. New York Knicks

2022-23 Record: 47-35
Previous Rank: NR
Offensive Rating: NR
Defensive Rating: NR
NBA Championship Odds:
To Win Eastern Conference:

12. Golden State Warriors

2022-23 Record: 44-38
Previous Rank: NR
Offensive Rating: NR
Defensive Rating: NR
NBA Championship Odds:
To Win Western Conference:

13. Miami Heat

2022-23 Record: 44-38
Previous Rank: NR
Offensive Rating: NR
Defensive Rating: NR
NBA Championship Odds:
To Win Eastern Conference:

14. Oklahoma City Thunder

2022-23 Record: 40-42
Previous Rank: NR
Offensive Rating: NR
Defensive Rating: NR
NBA Championship Odds:
To Win Western Conference:

15. LA Clippers

2022-23 Record: 44-38
Previous Rank: NR
Offensive Rating: NR
Defensive Rating: NR
NBA Championship Odds:
To Win Western Conference:

16. Minnesota Timberwolves

2022-23 Record: 42-40
Previous Rank: NR
Offensive Rating: NR
Defensive Rating: NR
NBA Championship Odds:
To Win Western Conference:

17. Dallas Mavericks

2022-23 Record: 38-44
Previous Rank: NR
Offensive Rating: NR
Defensive Rating: NR
NBA Championship Odds:
To Win Western Conference:

18. Indiana Pacers

2022-23 Record: 35-47
Previous Rank: NR
Offensive Rating: NR
Defensive Rating: NR
NBA Championship Odds:
To Win Eastern Conference:

19. Atlanta Hawks

2022-23 Record: 41-41
Previous Rank: NR
Offensive Rating: NR
Defensive Rating: NR
NBA Championship Odds:
To Win Eastern Conference:

20. Utah Jazz

2022-23 Record: 37-45
Previous Rank: NR
Offensive Rating: NR
Defensive Rating: NR
NBA Championship Odds:
To Win Western Conference:

21. Toronto Raptors

2022-23 Record: 41-41
Previous Rank: NR
Offensive Rating: NR
Defensive Rating: NR
NBA Championship Odds:
To Win Eastern Conference:

22. Orlando Magic

2022-23 Record: 34-48
Previous Rank: NR
Offensive Rating: NR
Defensive Rating: NR
NBA Championship Odds:
To Win Eastern Conference:

23. Brooklyn Nets

2022-23 Record: 45-37
Previous Rank: NR
Offensive Rating: NR
Defensive Rating: NR
NBA Championship Odds:
To Win Eastern Conference:

24. Chicago Bulls

2022-23 Record: 40-42
Previous Rank: NR
Offensive Rating: NR
Defensive Rating: NR
NBA Championship Odds:
To Win Eastern Conference:

25. Houston Rockets

2022-23 Record: 22-60
Previous Rank: NR
Offensive Rating: NR
Defensive Rating: NR
NBA Championship Odds:
To Win Western Conference:

26. Portland Trail Blazers

2022-23 Record: 33-49
Previous Rank: NR
Offensive Rating: NR
Defensive Rating: NR
NBA Championship Odds:
To Win Western Conference:

27. San Antonio Spurs

2022-23 Record: 22-60
Previous Rank: NR
Offensive Rating: NR
Defensive Rating: NR
NBA Championship Odds:
To Win Western Conference:

28. Washington Wizards

2022-23 Record: 35-47
Previous Rank: NR
Offensive Rating: NR
Defensive Rating: NR
NBA Championship Odds:
To Win Eastern Conference:

29. Charlotte Hornets

2022-23 Record: 27-55
Previous Rank: NR
Offensive Rating: NR
Defensive Rating: NR
NBA Championship Odds:
To Win Eastern Conference:

30. Detroit Pistons

2022-23 Record: 17-65
Previous Rank: NR
Offensive Rating: NR
Defensive Rating: NR
NBA Championship Odds:
To Win Eastern Conference:

NBA Power Rankings: Biggest Movers

Every time we update our NBA Power Rankings, we will also highlight the biggest movers in both directions and the reasons why they are seeing such volatility. Since the 2023-24 campaign has not started, there are not any “biggest movers” yet; however, this section will be updated after the first week of the regular season. Also, check out the Lineups YouTube page here for complete breakdowns, analysis, and more from our expert NBA analysts.

NBA Power Rankings: Favorite Pre-Season Dark Horses

Separate from our NBA Power Rankings is our list of favorite pre-season dark horses, an analysis of teams that could be sleepers, similar to the Denver Nuggets last season, to win the 2024 NBA Championship. Check out our analysis below for each underdog team that could make a splash during the 2023-24 campaign, as we will be unveiling one new underdog every few weeks until the start of the season.

1. Sacramento Kings

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” is an old phrase that perfectly describes the Sacramento Kings’ roster. After posting the highest offensive rating in the history of the NBA and locking up the No. 3 seed in a tough Western Conference, Sacramento decided that it did not need to make any sizable changes; however, that does not mean that it did nothing.

The Kings signed a draft-and-stash prospect from a handful of years ago, Sasha Vezenkov, who turned out to be the EuroLeague MVP last season. Vezenkov is an uber-talented stretch four and will be amongst the best shooting power forwards in the league from Day 1. Further, the Kings drafted win-now guard Colby Jones, an efficient guard from Xavier who is known for being clutch and making winning plays consistently.

These two players should make enough of an impact to catapult Sacramento into title discussions. The chemistry of this team will continue to evolve, and they don’t have any players who are due for substantial (if any at all) regression from age or injury. Harrison Barnes is actually the only player in their starting lineup over the age of 30 and his role is not as a primary or even secondary scorer at this point in his career.

2. Memphis Grizzlies

Ja Morant’s 25-game absence has many people believing that the Memphis Grizzlies are due for an organizational setback; their win total rests around 45.5. However, Memphis has been nothing short of elite in Morant’s absence over the past two seasons, boasting a 31-15 record. If this record was maintained over the course of an entire season, Memphis would finish with roughly 55 wins. Hypotheticals are just that: hypothetical. Still, this exercise demonstrates the fact that the Grizzlies are a strong team, even when missing a key player.

Morant’s playmaking talent is undeniable, but it is the grit of this team that has allowed them to secure narrow wins when he is unavailable to play. While some of that success could be attributed to the impressive play of Tyus Jones, a point guard who now starts for the Washington Wizards, there are a lot of other factors in play, including Jaren Jackson Jr and Desmond Bane stepping up to take a larger offensive role.

Memphis did a great job this off-season filling the absence of Jones and Dillon Brooks by trading for Marcus Smart, a former DPOY who can play on or off the ball offensively and defend “1-3” (and even smaller fours) on the other end of the floor. Smart’s personality, veteran experience, and leadership qualities will immediately pay dividends for a Grizzlies squad that has lacked professionalism and discipline at times.

The Grizzlies’ preseason power ranking (seventh) has built in Morant’s absence, but they have finished second in the Western Conference in two consecutive seasons and have objectively improved. Their ceiling hovers just below Denver’s as far as potential is concerned.

3. New Orleans Pelicans

A meniscus injury to Trey Murphy III could hurt the New Orleans Pelicans in the short term, but if everyone else can stay healthy once he returns, they could be one of the best teams in the Western Conference. Before Zion Williamson’s season-ending injury in early January, the Pelicans were constantly near the top of the Western Conference; they were even tied with the Denver Nuggets for first towards the end of December.

The dominant scoring trio of C.J. McCollum, Brandon Ingram, and Zion Williamson is enough to keep up with even the highest-powered offenses like Sacramento or Denver; however, the Pels are arguably a better defensive team, especially on the perimeter, where they finished first in the NBA in opponent 3P% despite being without Herb Jones, Jose Alvarado, Dyson Daniels, and others for a sizable period of time.

Three-point shooting, a minor issue for the Pels, should also be resolved with McCollum, Ingram, and Murphy fully healthy, as well as the arrival of movement shooter (and National Champion) Jordan Hawkins via the 2023 NBA Draft. The only problem besides injuries that New Orleans has to address is its paint defense and rim protection, which ranked toward the bottom of the NBA due to Jonas Valanciunas’s lack of interior presence.

Still, keep an eye on this team when Murphy returns, as they should be able to garner some momentum and catapult up the Western Conference standings. If they address their rim protection and occasional offensive droughts, too, then watch out: they could have a breakthrough season, similar to Denver last year.

4. Oklahoma City Thunder

Oklahoma City’s rebuild is already way ahead of schedule, and it still has an inordinate amount of draft capital at its disposal. Should a favorable trade opportunity present itself over the course of the next few seasons, the Thunder can even make a win-now push relatively soon.

The Thunder were already a play-in-contending team last year behind MVP-caliber play from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a dark horse to win the award in the upcoming 2023-24 season; however, they will now be welcoming Chet Holmgren back after a foot injury derailed his rookie campaign.

How important is Holmgren’s presence for the Thunder? Well, they ranked 26th in total rebounding percentage, 29th in defensive rebounding percentage, 23rd in block percentage, 30th in opponent second-chance points, and 19th in opponent two-point percentage last season.

Will Holmgren fix all of those issues from Day 1? No, but he will drastically improve them due to his interior presence on both ends and overall versatility. If he can be the rim protector and paint presence that they have desperately needed and can pair that with an already impressive perimeter defense, then the sky is the limit.

Further, three-point shooting, another relative weakness, could be eased if Holmgren can shoot in the upper-30% range along with newly-acquired sharpshooters Davis Bertans and Vasilije Micic. When also expecting reasonable improvement from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, and Jalen Williams, you realize that this team could be dangerous durign the 2023-24 campaign. They could be an extremely tough out by the time that the playoffs roll around.

NBA Power Rankings FAQ

What Are NBA Power Rankings?

NBA Power Rankings are rankings of all the NBA teams based on how they have been performing over the past few games and the season. For this reason, rankings can fluctuate quite a bit throughout the year.

How Often Are NBA Power Rankings Updated?

NBA Power Rankings are usually updated every week based on how a team is performing and applied statistics. On Lineups.com, we update our Power Rankings at the beginning of every week (Monday.)

How Are NBA Power Rankings Calculated?

NBA Power Rankings can be calculated in different ways and are not necessarily decided by one particular statistic. For instance, the ranker can evaluate net ratings, weekly records, and other statistics but could also include a personal opinion on the direction of a team.

When Are NBA Power Rankings Updated?

NBA Power Rankings are updated every Monday from the beginning of the NBA season until the end. Be on the lookout for the updated rankings at the beginning of each week and see where your favorite team stands.

How Do Injuries Affect NBA Power Rankings?

Injuries, coaching changes, and hot or cold streaks can affect NBA Power Rankings. Since there are weekly updates, injuries will play a factor in how a team ranks, even if it is not a season-ending injury.

Andrew Norton

Drew is one of the NBA Lead Writers at Lineups.com, specializing in betting content such as game predictions and player props. With a deep knowledge of players and prospects, Drew has an extensive edge in covering everything NBA.