NBA Power Rankings Version 13 (2/1/23)

8 days until the trade deadline, let's jump right into it.

Team (Record, Z-Score, Previous Ranking)

1. Denver Nuggets (35-16, .772, 1): The Nuggets hold the number one spot but the lead has shrunk a little bit. There are rumblings that the Nuggets may be trying to trade a younger player for one more veteran in order to make their finals run. They only rank below average in pace and rebound differential, so maybe they can find someone who can help in one of those two areas.

2. Boston Celtics (36-15, .715, 3): The C's jump up one spot even with a 1-2 stretch since the last ranking. The Celtics have a tough stretch before the deadline with the Nets, Suns and 76ers on their plate.

3. Sacramento Kings (28-21, .633, 2): The rankings still love the Kings, even over teams with slightly better records. Their offense has reached elite levels, but their defense puts them at 21st in the NBA. One would think their focus on the deadline will be on the defensive end which will be crucial come playoff time.

4. Memphis Grizzlies (32-18, .489, 4): The Grizzlies are 1-5 in their last six games, but still sit as the #2 seed in the Western Conference. They should be looking for a shooter at the deadline, with them ranking 23rd of 30 NBA teams in that category.

5. Philadelphia 76ers (32-17, .443, 6): The 76ers have seemingly settled into this #5-#8 range in the rankings. They're doing a lot of things right, but somehow are still getting out-rebounded as a team with guys like Joel Embiid, PJ Tucker and Montrezl Harrell. Trading a seldom-used wing for one more big man seems like the right move over the next eight days.

6. Utah Jazz (26-26, .364, 7)

7. Cleveland Cavaliers (31-22, .334, 8)

8. Brooklyn Nets (31-19, .327, 10)

9. Phoenix Suns (27-25, .257, 9): It's really been a strange season for the Suns, but they've rattled off six wins in their last seven games that is seemingly getting them back on track. They currently have the third-worst free throw differential in the NBA, so that could be a focus for a potential deadline deal.

10. New Orleans Pelicans (26-26, .229, 5): The Pelicans have now lost nine in a row, and the feel good story is now just one trying to survive and make the playoffs. They went from an offensive juggernaut to now being a below average offense and three point shooting team.

11. Portland Trail Blazers (24-26, .161, 11)

12. Golden State Warriors (26-24, .145, 14)

13. Oklahoma City Thunder (24-26, .138, 12)

14. Milwaukee Bucks (34-17, .118, 17)

15. Toronto Raptors (23-29, .108, 15): Should the Raptors blow it all up? The idea of the play-in tournament seems to keep teams alive for longer, but this core just doesn't seem to be working. OG Anunoby is one of the hottest trade targets, and Fred VanVleet is rumored to have turned down an extension in Toronto (with his contract up at the end of this year). Do they try and make it work, or tear it down? They currently sit in 12th in the Eastern Conference, a game out of the play in.

16. New York Knicks (27-25, .043, 16)

17. Chicago Bulls (23-27, .018, 13): See the Raptors, and throw the Bulls in that same category. Nikola Vucevic seems like the big name who may be dealt, but Zach Lavine could also be moved. Another team who is stuck, but the play-in keeps them trying to win.

18. Indiana Pacers (24-28, -.078, 18)

19. Washington Wizards (24-26, -.085, 19): You know what, let's throw the Wizards in with the Raptors/Bulls Eastern Conference mediocrity group. They may have less pieces to deal, but it's another team that shouldn't be in "buy mode" at this deadline.

20. Los Angeles Lakers (24-28, -.164, 20)

21. Atlanta Hawks (25-26, -.1805, 24)

22. Dallas Mavericks (27-25, -.1806, 21)

23. Los Angeles Clippers (29-25, -.237, 23): Okay, I think the Clippers are good. They are still a very below average offensive team, who play at a slow pace and have had the easiest schedule in the NBA up to this point. Kawhi is just a very unorthodox player and the rankings may not like his style. They would host a playoff series if the season ended today.

24. Minnesota Timberwolves (27-26, -.238, 22)

25. Miami Heat (29-23, -.309, 25)

26. Orlando Magic (20-31, -.419, 26)

27. Detroit Pistons (13-39, -.580, 27)

28. Charlotte Hornets (15-37, -.781, 29)

29. San Antonio Spurs (14-37, -.944, 28)

30. Houston Rockets (12-38, -1.10, 30): Oof, the Rockets truly have bought into the tanking. Think about this, the Rockets an offensive rating of 109, and defensive rating of 116.7. If each team gets 100 possessions, the Rockets would average nearly eight fewer points than their opponents.