The New York Knicks are the 2026 NBA champions, and now the real fun can begin. The NBA draft, free agency, and trade rumors will be part of this offseason while we project and look ahead to the next season. But in the meantime, let’s create a (foolish) and way-too-early power ranking going into the 2026-2027 season.
#10 – Los Angeles Lakers
This is an obligatory ranking for the Lakers—they have Luka Doncic; they can figure out the rest. LeBron James remains a mystery in regard to his future.
The team around Doncic has plenty of questions, but I think the most interesting will be what to do with Austin Reaves. Doncic and Reaves share some redundancies, but the biggest issue is their lack of defense. With them together in the backcourt, Los Angeles is sacrificing a lot of defense in favor of offense.
#9 – Cleveland Cavaliers
Plenty of power rankings may have the Cavs higher, but I just can’t do it. They continue to leave a bad taste in my mouth at the end of seasons. They have a good team and coach but are perpetual underachievers. The trade for James Harden now feels like a lateral move more than anything else, and it may be time to really stir the pot in Cleveland.
Until further notice, the Cavs will be in this weird limbo tier—not quite a contender but more of a threat than the average playoff team.
#8 – Denver Nuggets
As much as it saddens me to say it, this seems like a team on the decline. The roster is becoming bloated and expensive as Nikola Jokic is struggling to raise the team back to its championship-caliber level. There’s plenty of players that I still really like on the roster (Christian Braun in particular), but even he may get dealt to reduce the money on the books.
They keep hemorrhaging stars and talent, all while injuries continue to accumulate on the best players. Denver only has so many more bites of the apple before Jokic starts to decline.
#7 – Minnesota Timberwolves
This is a “feel” pick more than anything else. I feel good about the Timberwolves going into next season for no other reason than that they are a proven playoff commodity. I trust the roster, coaching, and front office to make the right decisions during this offseason to improve the team.
The Donte DiVincenzo injury is a serious blow—there is a real chance that he doesn’t play at all next year. But there is a good amount of talent on this roster, and with Anthony Edwards at the helm, they should be able to weather this challenge.
#6 – Detroit Pistons
The Pistons are a mystery to me. They underperformed in the playoffs for being a 1-seed, yet because of their youth—and Cade Cunningham—they shouldn’t have any trouble being competitive. Jalen Duren’s woes in the playoffs were concerning, but he too is young and developing. And that can basically be said about anyone on their roster.
The best plan for Detroit is to look to add a few more experienced, playoff-hardened guys to act as guides for the rest of this young team.
#5 – Indiana Pacers
This is a very generous ranking for the Pacers who are coming off a horrific season with Tyrese Haliburton sitting on the sidelines. The trade for Ivica Zubac should shore up the frontcourt for Indiana and will give Haliburton an excellent pick-and-roll partner.
I have the Pacers this high because I know what they can be in the playoffs. They have a different gear that they can reach, and Rick Carlisle is one of the best coaches in the league. They may not win 60 games (or even 55), but I will be shocked if the Pacers aren’t a factor in the playoffs next season.
There’s been talk about them making a move during the offseason to acquire Trey Murphy III, which would truly turn them into a contender.
#4 – Boston Celtics
Like the Pacers, it seems as if the Celtics may be making some sort of move this summer. They had a semi-gap year and still overachieved. There have been Giannis Antetokounmpo rumors, which would shake up the league.
The question is just how Boston reconfigures their team to be successful next year. They have strong leadership and coaching, so this presumably shouldn’t be much of an issue. The infrastructure is there as last season showed.
#3 – Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder will be EXPENSIVE from now on. In some ways, they’re being punished for drafting so well. They’ll have to trim around the edges so as not to get punished by the second apron.
But this is still the deepest team in the league. They almost made it back to the NBA Finals despite suffering several injuries. And they still have a plethora of draft picks to make a move in the future.
Principle dictates that they stay at No. 3 on this list because the last two teams made the Finals, but is there any other team you’d rather be than the Thunder?
#2 – San Antonio Spurs
Victor Wembanyama will be back. After a so-so showing in the Finals, the young Frenchman is facing criticism. It’s fair, but also foolish.
This is one of the best plays we will likely ever see. He’ll be fine. And so will the rest of the Spurs roster. Dylan Harper—a rookie, let’s not forget—was probably San Antonio’s second-best player in the Finals. He, along with the rest of the young roster, will continue to get better.
There’s moves on the roster to be made, and I expect the Spurs to capitalize on this window while they have a chance. This team will be great for a very long time.
#1 – New York Knicks
They won the Finals; it’s as simple as that. They shouldn’t be any lower than No. 1 because of that. They’ll bring back the core of their team, which will only grow stronger.
They’re not exactly young, but they’re hardened. Like the Pacers, they may coast into the playoffs where they’ll come alive.
I don’t want to overcomplicate things—congrats New York, you have the best team in the NBA.
