The NBA offseason has come to a standstill, and while there are a number of restricted free agents yet to sign deals this summer, 95% of basketball business has come to a conclusion.
Which means it’s time to see how the Knicks stack up against the rest of the league in the first iteration of the 2025-26 NBA Power Rankings.
THESE TEAMS WILL BE TERRIBLE
NETS
BEST 5: E. Denin, T. Mann, M. Porter Jr., N. Clowney, N. Claxton
NEXT 5: N. Traore, B. Saraf, J. Wilson, D. Powell, D. Wolf
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: C. Thomas (RFA)
The Nets traded their own first-rounders to Houston for James Harden, then sent Kevin Durant to Phoenix in exchange for the Suns’ future picks. They later swapped those Phoenix picks with Houston to recover their original 2025 and 2026 firsts — just in time for the Suns to implode and trade Durant back to Houston. Now, Brooklyn has no choice but to be awful in 2025-26. If they don’t bottom out and make those reacquired picks count, everything — Harden, Durant, the swaps — will have been for nothing.
UTAH JAZZ
BEST 5: I. Collier, A. Bailey, L. Markkanen, K. FIliposwki, W. Kessler
NEXT 5: K. George, W. Clayton, J. Nurkic, K. Anderson, K. Love
TWO MORE: T. Hendricks, S. Mykhailiuk
Ace Bailey and Walter Clayton Jr. were home-run hits, but the Jazz are still light years away from meaningful contention in the Western Conference.
TORONTO RAPTORS
BEST 5: I. Quickley, R. Barrett, B. Ingram, S. Barnes, J. Poeltl
NEXT 5: C. Murray-Boyles (R), O. Agbaji, Jamal Shead, J. Mogbo, S. Mamukelashvilii,
Time for a Plan B. Plan A (cloning Scottie Barnes) was a fail.
WASHINGTON WIZARDS
BEST 5: C. Carrington, C. McCollum, B. Coulibaly, K. Middleton, A. Sarr
NEXT 5: K. George, T. Johnson, C. Kispert, C. Whitmore, M. Bagley
ONE MORE: A. Johnson
The Wizards owe the Knicks a top-eight protected first-round pick in 2026. They will do everything in their power to ensure that pick does not convey.
THINK THEY CAN COMPETE. THEY CAN’T
CHICAGO BULLS
BEST 5: C. White, A. Dosunmu, M. Buzelis, P. Williams, N. Vucevic
NEXT 5: T. Jones, I. Okoro, K. Huerter, J. Smith, N. Essengue
THREE MORE: Z. Collins, D. Terry, J. Carter
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: J. Giddey (RFA)
Another season destined for Play-In purgatory. The Bulls need to lock Josh Giddey in long-term.
SACRAMENTO KINGS
BEST 5: D. Schroder, Z. LaVine, D. DeRozan, K. Murray, D. Sabonis
NEXT 5: M. Monk, K. Ellis, D. McDermott, D. Eubanks, D. Saric
Can the Kings land Jonathan Kuminga? It’s time for them to think about five years from now.
BETTER THAN LAST SEASON
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
BEST 5: J. Holiday, T. Camara, D. Avdija, J. Grant, D. Clingan
NEXT 5: S. Henderson, S. Sharpe, M. Thybulle, R. Williams, Y. Hansen (R)
TWO MORE: K. Murray, D. Reath
INJURED: D. Lillard (Achilles)
A defensive menace at the end of the season, Portland went out and landed Jrue Holiday. Expect lots of stops — and more wins.
ATLANTA HAWKS
BEST 5: T. Young, D. Daniels, Z. Risacher, J. Johnson, K. Porzingis
NEXT 5: N. Alexander-Walker, K. Bufkin, L. Kennard, A. Newell, O. Okongwu
Write it in permanent ink: After trading for Kristaps Porzingis, the Atlanta Hawks are back. Expect the Hawks to finally make a push into the East’s top six. If they can’t, there may be point guard questions to follow in Atlanta.
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS
BEST 5: J. Poole, J. Fears (R), H. Jones, T. Murphy III, Z. Williamson
NEXT 5: D. Queen (R), Y. Missi, J. Alvarado, S. Bey, J. Hawkins
ONE MORE: K. Looney
INJURED: D. Murray
This team’s win count will be commensurate with the number of games its franchise cornerstone appears in. Adding firepower around Zion Williamson doesn’t hurt, though.
CHARLOTTE HORNETS
BEST 5: L. Ball, B. Miller, K. Kneuppel (R), M. Bridges, C. Sexton
NEXT 5: S. Dinwiddie, J. Green, G. Williams, M. Diabate, M. Plumlee
FIVE MORE: T. Mann, L. McNeeley (R), P. Connaughton, T. Salaun, R. Kalkbrenner
It’s time for LaMelo Ball to mature as a basketball player and prioritize winning over highlight-reel moments. His future in Charlotte might depend on it. The Hornets are ready to take a step up the standings.
WANT TO BE GOOD, BUT WON’T BE
PHOENIX SUNS
BEST 5: D. Booker, J. Green, D. Brooks, R. Dunn, M. Williams
NEXT 5: G. Allen, R. O’Neale, K. Maluach (R), O. Ighodaro, C. Gillespie
THREE MORE: N. Richards, N. Hayes (R), Rasheer Fleming (R)
The Suns having Devin Booker under contract through the 2029-30 season is one of few wins they’ll be able to boast this season. Expect this team to sell off its competitive parts by the early-February trade deadline.
BOSTON CELTICS
BEST 5: D. White, A. Simons, J. Brown, P. Pritchard, S. Hauser
NEXT 5: G. Niang, N. Queta, B. Scheierman, J. Walsh, L. Garza
INJURIES: J. Tatum
Can Jaylen Brown lead a team as the No. 1 option? It’s a tall order for a star player with limited resources at his disposal. But this is the opportunity of a lifetime. Brown will try to make the most of it.
INDIANA PACERS
BEST 5: A. Nembhard, B. Mathurin, A. Nesmith, P. Siakam, I. Jackson
NEXT 5: T. McConnell, B. Sheppard, O. Toppin, J. Walker, J. Furphy
TWO MORE: J. Huff, T. Bradley
INJURED: T. Haliburton (Achilles)
First they lose Tyrese Haliburton for the season. Then they lose Myles Turner to Milwaukee. See you in 2027, Pacers fans.
THE WILD CARDS
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
BEST 5: J. Morant, K. Caldwell-Pope*, J. Wells*, J. Jackson Jr, Z. Edey
NEXT 5: T. Jerome, C. Coward, S. Pippen Jr., S. Aldama, B. Clarke
FIVE MORE: J. Konchar, G. Jackson, V. Williams, C. Spencer, J. Landale
The Grizzlies are hoping Jaylen Wells, Cedric Coward and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope can fill in for Desmond Bane. It’s not a bad bet, and if it pans out, this is a team that can make a run to the conference finals — or further.
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
BEST 5: S. Curry, B. Hield, J. Butler, D. Green, Q. Post
NEXT 4: B. Podziemski, M. Moody, G. Santos, T. Jackson-Davis
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: J. Kuminga (RFA)
It’s hard to see the AARP Warriors making a title run without real depth behind Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler, but it’s also hard to count out two of the biggest winning players the game has seen.
MIAMI HEAT
BEST 5: T. Herro, A. Wiggins, N. Powell, B. Adebayo, K. Ware
NEXT 5: D. Mitchell, H. Highsmith, J. Jaquez Jr., S. Fontecchio, N. Jovic
THREE MORE: T. Rozier, K. Jakucionis (R), P. Larsson
The moment you count the Miami Heat out is the moment they miraculously make a run for the NBA Finals.
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
BEST 5: T. Maxey, V. Edgecombe, J. McCain, P. George, J. Embiid
NEXT 5: K. Lowry, K. Oubre, E. Gordon, T. Watford, A. Drummond
THREE MORE: J. Edwards, R. Council IV, J. Broome (R)
Joel Embiid appeared in 19 games last season and 39 games the season before. Which means he’s either on pace to miss the entire 2025-26 season or play in more games than the Sixers have seen him in the last five years.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS
BEST 5: C. Anthony, K. Kuzma, G. Antetokounmpo, M. Turner, B. Portis
NEXT 5: A. Green, T. Prince, G. Trent, K. Porter, R. Rollins
THREE MORE: G. Harris, A. Jackson, J. Sims
The Bucks cut Damian Lillard and replaced him with Cole Anthony. They lost Brook Lopez then upgraded to Myles Turner. All Giannis needs is just enough help, and he can bulldoze his way to title No. 2.
SAN ANTONIO SPURS
BEST 5: D. Fox, S. Castle, D. Harper (R), D. Vassell, V. Wembanyama
NEXT 5: C. Bryant (R), H. Barnes, K. Johnson, J. Sochan, L. Kornet
THREE MORE: K. Olynyk, J. McLaughlin, L. Waters
Mark it down and mark it now: The San Antonio Spurs will be in the playoffs next season, Victor Wembanyama will be in the MVP conversation, and De’Aaron Fox will be in trade rumors — or a different uniform — because Dylan Harper is the future.
DETROIT PISTONS
BEST 5: C. Cunningham, J. Ivey, A. Thompson, T. Harris, J. Duren
NEXT 5: C. LeVert, M. Sasser, R. Holland, D. Robinson, I. Stewart
ONE MORE: P. Reed
The Pistons believe they could’ve beaten the Knicks in the first round had Jaden Ivey been healthy. They’ll get their chances to prove it next season.
UNDER RIGHT CONDITIONS, CAN WIN TITLE
ORLANDO MAGIC
BEST 5: J. Suggs, D. Bane, F. Wagner, P. Banchero, W. Carter Jr.
NEXT 5: T. Jones, J. Isaac, A. Black, T. Da Silva, J. Richardson
FOUR MORE: M. Wagner, G. Bitadze, J. Howard, N. Penda (R)
Injuries decimated the Magic last season. With Desmond Bane now in the starting lineup, Orlando is a team to watch out for in the East.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
BEST 5: L. Doncic, A. Reaves, L. James, R. Hachimura, D. Ayton*
NEXT 5: G. Vincent, M. Smart*, J. LaRavia, J. Vanderbilt, J. Hayes
FOUR MORE: D. Knecht, B. James, A. Thiero, M. Kleber
Svelte Luka Doncic has entered the chat, and if the Lakers’ new superstar guard is in shape, he can carry Los Angeles back to the NBA Finals — as long as there’s not too much drama around his Hollywood co-star.
KNICKS
BEST 5: J. Brunson, M. Bridges, O. Anunoby, K. Towns, M. Robinson
NEXT 5: J. Clarkson, J. Hart, M. McBride, G. Yabusele, T. Kolek
TWO MORE: P. Dadiet, A. Hukporti
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: One more minimum contract spot
Tom Thibodeau out, Mike Brown in, plus Jordan Clarkson and Guerschon Yabusele. Can the supercharged Knicks finally make a run for their first title in over 50 years?
DALLAS MAVERICKS
BEST 5: D. Russell, K. Thompson, C. Flagg (R), A. Davis, D. Lively
NEXT 5: D. Gafford, P. Washington, N. Marshall, M. Christie, C. Martin
FIVE MORE: J. Hardy, B. Williams, D. Powell, O. Prosper, D. Exum
INJURED: K. Irving (ACL)
No Kyrie Irving? No problem. It’s the Cooper Flagg show in Dallas. The Mavericks have loads of firepower and can play both sides of the ball. If Irving can return for the playoff push, this team has a chance to win it all.
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
BEST 5: J. Harden, B. Beal*, K. Leonard, J. Collins*, I. Zubac
NEXT 5: C. Paul*, D. Jones Jr., B. Bogdanovic, N. Batum, B. Lopez*
THREE MORE: K. Dunn, C. Christie, Y. Niederhauser (R)
Talk about a squad. The Clippers are deep at every position. Plus Kawhi Leonard is coming off of his healthiest season in years. If he can repeat, the Clippers have a chance.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
BEST 5: D. Garland (IR), D. Mitchell, D. Hunter, E. Mobley, J. Allen
NEXT 5: L. Ball, M. Strus, T. Proctor (R), S. Merrill, D. Wade
TWO MORE: L. Nance, J. Tyson
Darius Garland will be out at the start of the season, but by the playoffs, the Cavs will have reminded everyone just how lethal they were before injuries struck last year.
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
BEST 5: A. Edwards, J. McDaniels, J. Randle, R. Gobert, N. Reid
NEXT 5: M. Conley, D. DiVincenzo, R. Dillingham, T. Shannon Jr., J. Beringer
ONE MORE: J. Ingles
No real upgrades on the roster. The Wolves are hoping they can run it back, but they have more than likely plateaued.
HOUSTON ROCKETS
BEST 5: F. VanVleet, A. Thompson, K. Durant, J. Smith, A. Sengun
NEXT 5: D. Finney Smith, R. Sheppard, C. Capela, A. Holiday, J. Okogie
THREE MORE: S. Adams, J. Green, J. Tate
Houston, we had a problem — but Kevin Durant solved it. A Rockets team desperate for scoring just added the best scorer of this generation.
DENVER NUGGETS
BEST 5: J. Murray, C. Braun, C. Johnson, A. Gordon, N. Jokic
NEXT 5: B. Brown, J. Strawther, T. Hardaway Jr., P. Watson, J. Valanciunas
ONE MORE: Z. Nnaji
Swapping Michael Porter Jr. for Cam Johnson gave the Nuggets new life. Bruce Brown and Jonas Valanciunas also provide much-needed depth.
FAVORITE TO REPEAT
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
BEST 5: S. Gilgeous-Alexander, L. Dort, J. Williams, C. Holmgren, I. Hartenstein
NEXT 5: A. Caruso, I. Joe, A. Wiggins, Jay. Williams, C. Wallace
FIVE MORE: N. Topic, K. Williams, T. Sorber, A. Mitchell, O. Dieng
Who’s going to stop the reigning champs? The Thunder are the team to beat. They’re deep, loaded with talent, and have the league’s reigning MVP. Barring injury, it’s Oklahoma City No. 1 and everyone else lagging behind in pursuit of the 2026 NBA championship.
