NBA Team Power Rankings: It's the Warriors and Everybody Else
Teams Ranked 30th to 21st
The Brooklyn Nets made some notable roster changes -- added D'Angelo Russell, jettisoned Brook Lopez -- but our numbers believe their overhaul wasn't enough to keep this messy squad out of the basement.
| Rank | Team | Projected 2017-18 nERD | 2016-17 Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | Brooklyn Nets | 26.1 | 20-62 |
| 29 | Orlando Magic | 33.0 | 29-52 |
| 28 | Phoenix Suns | 34.8 | 24-58 |
| 27 | Los Angeles Lakers | 36.5 | 26-56 |
| 26 | Chicago Bulls | 41.5 | 41-41 |
| 25 | New York Knicks | 41.8 | 31-51 |
| 24 | Indiana Pacers | 42.4 | 42-40 |
| 23 | Philadelphia 76ers | 43.7 | 28-54 |
| 22 | Dallas Mavericks | 43.9 | 33-49 |
| 21 | Atlanta Hawks | 44.3 | 43-39 |
The Expected
The aforementioned Nets haven't managed to post a .500 record since the 2013-14 season, and last year, they limped to the third-worst record in franchise history. Aside from Russell, they made some keen additions -- Allen Crabbe, for instance, is a fantasy basketball darling -- but it looks like they didn't move the needle enough to be competitive in the iffy Eastern Conference.
Phoenix and Orlando are in eternal rebuilding mode, but the Suns seem to be doing a better job of it. They have the youngest roster in the NBA -- average age of 24.5 -- and seem content to let Devin Booker and Marquese Chriss learn on the job. Orlando, on the other hand, hasn't signed up for a complete youth movement, leaning on pseudo-veterans like Nikola Vucevic and Evan Fournier. Don't be surprised if the feisty Suns are a tad higher on this list come February.
As for the Knicks, Carmelo Anthony is gone and James Dolan isn't. 'Nuff said.
The Unexpected
For the past five-plus years, the Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, and Atlanta Hawks could generally be relied upon to find their way into the postseason. This summer, after losing, respectively, Jimmy Butler, Paul George, and Paul Millsap, these three proud franchises will probably be battling for lottery balls.
Considering their influx of youth, some might be surprised to see the Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers hovering down here, but until Lonzo Ball, Ben Simmons, Markelle Fultz, and all the other kids on their rosters put up consistent numbers, nERD will remain open-minded, yet noncommittal.
