The Times’ NBA off-season power rankings
Broderick Turner rates the 30 teams and where they stand, after offseason moves, with comments.
1.CLEVELAND: “I’m the best player in the world,” LeBron James said at the NBA Finals. Can’t argue that. Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love will help.
2. GOLDEN STATE: Led by MVP Stephen Curry and a talented group, the small-ball, pace-and-space Warriors can shoot down any team.
3. SAN ANTONIO: Quest to get Tim Duncan 6th NBA ring. Keeping Kawhi Leonard, signing LaMarcus Aldridge, David West will help.
4. OKLAHOMA CITY: Kevin Durant, Serge Ibaka and Russell Westbrook will make it easy for first-year coach Billy Donovan.
5. CLIPPERS: They entertained the world with the DeAndre Jordan saga. They will be very good with Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, Paul Pierce.
6. HOUSTON: All things run through MVP runner-up James Harden and Dwight Howard. A healthy Donatas Motiejunas (back) will help.
7. MEMPHIS: Re-signed All-NBA center Marc Gasol for $113 million, got Brandan Wright to help Zach Randolph, Mike Conley.
8. CHICAGO: Rookie Coach Fred Hoiberg can smile after Bulls re-signed guard Jimmy Butler to five-year, $94-million deal.
9. ATLANTA: New ownership, promoted Coach Mike Budenholzer to general manager, re-signed forward Paul Millsap for $59 million.
10. WASHINGTON: John Wall, Bradley Beal must take game to next level. Addition of Gary Neal, Jared Dudley will help loss of Paul Pierce.
11. TORONTO: Signing DeMarre Carroll for $60-million was a lot, but he gives Raptors toughness, as does signing Luis Scola.
12. NEW ORLEANS: “Yeah you right!,” Pelicans fans chanted when franchise player Anthony Davis signed a $145-million extension.
13. MILWAUKEE: Greg Monroe spurns Lakers, Knicks to sign a $50-million deal with Bucks. What does that tell you about Milwaukee?
14. MIAMI: There was too much love between Dwyane Wade and the Heat for the two to part. Wade took team’s $20 million to stay.
15. BOSTON: Prez Danny Ainge another busy summer. Traded for David Lee, signed Amir Johnson, re-signed Jae Crowder, Jonas Jerebko.
16. UTAH: Core of Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors, Rudy Gobert ready to make a playoff run. Rookie Trey Lyles nice addition.
17. PHOENIX: Signed defensive anchor Tyson Chandler for $52 million, re-signed Brandon Knight for $70 million. May push for playoff spot.
18. BROOKLYN: Bought out Deron Williams’ $43 million deal for $27.5 million. Re-signed Brook Lopez, Thaddeus Young.
19. LAKERS: Is this Kobe Bryant’s final season? Will rookie D’Angelo Russell become a star? Roy Hibbert needs to return to All-Star form.
20. DETROIT: May have overpaid Reggie Jackson on five-year, $80-million deal; acquired Ersan Ilyasova, signed Caron Butler.
21. ORLANDO: Brought in Scott Skiles to coach draft pick Mario Hezonja and young backcourt of Victor Oladipo, Elfrid Payton.
22. DALLAS: Owner Mark Cuban still hot at DJ for reneging on oral agreement to join Mavs. Got Williams, Zaza Pachulia in aftermath.
23. CHARLOTTE: Lots of moving parts ends with signing of Jeremy Lin and trades for Spencer Hawes, Nicolas Batum and Jeremy Lamb.
24. INDIANA: No more Hibbert or West. Now it’s up to Paul George to lead the Pacers. Team plans on playing more small-ball.
25. PORTLAND: Lost four-fifths of starting lineup. Guard Damian Lillard now face of franchise by virtue of $120 million extension.
26. NEW YORK: Just another day in NY. Signing Arron Affalo, Robin Lopez, Kyle O’Quinn, Derrick Williams unimpressive to fans.
27. MINNESOTA: Lots of young talent in Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins, Zach LaVine. They should listen to old-head Kevin Garnett.
28. SACRAMENTO: Turmoil, they name is the Kings. Coach George Karl and star DeMarcus Cousin don’t get along. Owner Vivek Ranadive is meddlesome.
29. DENVER: Other than drafting point guard Emmanuel Mudiay, the Nuggets have done nothing to excite their fans about next season.
30. PHILADELPHIA: Drafting center Jahlil Okafor was smart move. Joel Embiid ( foot) reportedly will miss second consecutive season.
Twitter:@BA_Turner
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