The upcoming NBA season opener in a little under a month, that calls for the first installment of the 2026-27 NBA power rankings. Off-seasons can drastically change the landscape of the league. Fans need to know where teams sit as the season opens. Free agency, trades, and new coaches make the power rankings change in ways that most fans wouldn’t expect. Let’s breakdown the top 5 teams of both conferences for the upcoming season.
Eastern Conference
1. New York Knicks
Out of respect for the champions, the New York Knicks are the team to beat in the East. Coming off a championship run, this team showed that they can beat any team in the league. Jalen Brunson is a true number one star and All star-caliber players in OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns make this team near unstoppable. Not much more needs to be said besides this team is currently the best in the East.
Photo Cred: NBA
2. Philadelphia 76ers
The Sixers were the offseason champs this year, drastically changing their roster for the better. They added all-stars and quality role players, hoping to compete for a championship. The Sixers traded Paul George in a move to acquire Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics. They signed one of the greatest basketball players of all time in LeBron James from free agency, and signed role players Dean Wade and Anfernee Simons. As long as Joel Embiid can stay healthy, this team could be a lock for the best team in basketball right now.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs were playoff bound last year and will return to the playoffs again. It is hard not to when your back court is headlined by Donovan Mitchell and James Harden. The front court is held down by defensive stars Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. However, the post season is their biggest issue. They have under performed in the past few years. Playoffs aside, this team will take huge wins from everyone on this list.
4. Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers, a season removed from making the NBA Finals, finally found their way back into the power rankings with the return of all-star guard Tyrese Haliburton. With Haliburton back, this team is going far this year with practically the same roster returning from the finals run. The addition of Ivica Zubac was a vastly underrated acquisition. Welcome back Pacers, we have missed you.
5. Miami Heat
The last position on this list is the roster with arguably the biggest roster turnover in the NBA. The Miami Heat is looking to capitalize on the stardom of Bam Adebayo by trading for arguably the best player in the league in Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Greek superstar should bring winning basketball back to Miami since their Finals appearance back in the 2019-20 season.
Honorable mentions include the Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic and Washington Wizards.
Western Conference
1. San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs might just be the hardest championship contender to rank. Coming off of a Finals appearance, the Spurs just barely make my number one spot. Highlighted by the young superstar-phenom, the Frenchman Victor Wembanyama, tons of quality role players, as well as De’Aaron Fox, rounds out to make arguably the best defense in the league with the offense that can hold up with anyone. The Spurs are back, and as long as Wembanyama can stay healthy being that tall, they are here to stay.
Photo Cred: NBA
2. Oklahoma City Thunder
While the late postseason play would tell you otherwise, the Oklahoma City Thunder is still arguably the best team in the league. When you have the back-to-back MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, that makes the conversation a lot easier. Along with the role players that play so well together, such as Chet Holmgren, Jaylen Williams, Cason Wallace, Aaron Wiggins, the list goes on and on. Excellent defense in this unit, but lack of offensive creation outside of SGA. Still a menacing team to face, this is still a championship or bust team in my eyes.
3. Denver Nuggets
The mile high city is maintaining their position as the best team in the west not named the Thunder and Spurs. Running back with almost the same roster, including, in my opinion, the best player in the world, Nikola Jokic. When you have Jokic on your team, you will be a contender, point blank. Unlike the teams mentioned above, this team is easily a better offensive team compared to do this, and I expect an uptick in wins this season for the Nuggets.
4. Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are very similar to the Denver Nuggets, just with less playoff experience. Luka Doncic is one of the best offensive players of this generation. He now takes the complete load of responsibility in the departure of LeBron James. This team also made a bunch of offseason moves that better fit Luka’s playstyle. The major move was the sign-and-trade acquisition of former Utah big man Walker Kessler. With the Lakers finally obtaining a man in the paint to hold it down, they might be able to make some noise come playoff time.
5. Minnesota Timberwolves
Last but not least in the league, we got the Minnesota Timberwolves. This is an underdog pick to go far in the playoffs. Anthony Edwards is a young star, Rudy Gobert could easily win another defensive player of the year, and great role players to go along with it. A well-rounded team that can beat any team on any given night. Only thing that we need to see is consistency.
