Album of the Week: “Miss Thang,” Monica (1995)
Before I get into this week’s NBA Power Rankings, can I just say — feelings have been felt! It was one of them weeks! And many have been taking things personal!
It all started with Bam Adebayo scoring the most points in televised NBA history, and the takes were hotter than basketball in the Miami arena. I, for one, am thrilled that Adebayo scored more points than Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant in a game, and I do not care that he took more free throws than entire teams take in a game to get there. And deep down, the Kobe stans love it too, because it gives them another unexpected reason to pick up the sword and shield in the name of Kobe, who absolutely would have approved. The fact that it came against the Washington Wizards’ blatant tank makes it even better. It’s a problem that Adebayo got to 80, and we need to protect the sanctimony of Kobe’s game against Jalen Rose? For what? It wasn’t a problem that the Wizards got trampled through one quarter, two quarters, three quarters … but it gets to the fourth quarter, and we need to have respect for the game? Child, please.
Speaking of respect, the very next night in New Orleans on Brandon Ingram-tribute-video night, Dejounte Murray hit a 3 after taking contact from Jamal Shead, with Shead turf diving in the process. Murray stood over Shead and taunted him. Rude. But the Raptors didn’t stand up for their guy. Herbert Jones approached Murray harder than any Raptor came close to doing. Darko Rajaković was right to call out his team for not responding appropriately in that moment.
And then, of course, there was Luka Dončić, the guy most of you would have thought could have gotten 80 in a game, finally getting a 50-ball with the Lakers, his first 50-point game in more than two years. It was made possible by trash talk from a player Dončić needed to search for on the postgame box score, even though it sounds like Dončić started talking to Matas Buzelis first. If I were the Lakers, I’d find an industry/influencer plant to heckle Dončić in the name of the opponent every game.
But anyway. Many will be watching college basketball now that Selection Sunday has come and gone. So we’ll turn our attention this week to the 2025 draft class — both those who were selected and those who have made it while going undrafted.
Fine print: These Power Rankings won’t just rank every team. We’ll retain the tiers that teams will be promoted into and relegated out of. There will be five tiers each week:
Top Contenders — Locked at five, these are the class of the league
In a Good Place — Could be one team, could be seven teams
The Bubble — Not to be confused with Walt Disney World. The middle of the pack
Not the Tier to Fear — Not playing the worst ball in the league, but with a lot of work to do
Basement Floor — Bringing up the rear
What to expect from Power Rankings:
These are my subjective rankings. I will consider a variety of objective measures, but it’s my final call.
These rankings are not just a review of the past week — we are projecting forward as well, so it is a balance of the two.
These are subjective, but not biased. There are no agendas in the Power Rankings, and we strive for an inclusive meritocracy
The one quality that these rankings possess: “Ruthless aggression.”
Enjoy the games, and enjoy the rankings, please!
For Week 22 of The Athletic NBA Power Rankings, we will check in on the rookies for each team. Win-loss records and other statistical data are through Sunday’s action.
Tier 1: Top Contenders1. Oklahoma City Thunder (53-15)
Last ranking: 2
In the last week: W vs DEN, W vs BOS, W vs MIN
Offensive rating: 116.9 (seventh place)
Defensive rating: 106.3 (first place)
2025 draft class: C Thomas Sorber (15th pick), SF Brooks Barnhizer (44th pick), SF Payton Sandfort (undrafted)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tied the Wilt Chamberlain 20-point streak while ripping the Nuggets’ hearts out (again). Then Gilgeous-Alexander sets the record while Jaylen Brown complains about foul baiting. The Timberwolves visit, and Gilgeous-Alexander extends the record with a 10-point fourth quarter capped with a three-point play through Anthony Edwards. Oklahoma City has won eight in a row, 11 of 12, is three games up on the Spurs in the loss column for the league’s best record and is the defending champion. The Thunder are still nursing Jalen Williams back to health. They’re back at the top of the rankings after a week like that. As for the rookies? Sorber tore his ACL in the offseason while making it back from a foot injury and is the latest Thunderbuddy to redshirt Year 1, just like Nikola Topić (ACL) last year and Chet Holmgren (Lisfranc) in 2022-23. Barnhizer is going to be as annoying as Luguentz Dort and Alex Caruso if he learns how to shoot. Sandfort just got on a two-way contract after being with the Blue all season.
2. San Antonio Spurs (49-18)
Last ranking: 1
In the last week: W vs BOS, L vs DEN, W vs CHA
Offensive rating: 117.7 (fourth place)
Defensive rating: 110.5 (third place)
2025 draft class: PG Dylan Harper (second pick), SG Carter Bryant (14th pick)
San Antonio went 5-1 on its homestand, with the loss coming in the game that Victor Wembanyama missed; the Spurs also blew a 20-point lead to the Nuggets, and their defense was horrible. If the intent was to help Wembanyama get a Defensive Player of the Year trophy, it did the job. Harper has a calf contusion, but he has been a helpful part of a San Antonio team that has arguably the most enviable guard depth in the league. Harper isn’t in a position to shine while sharing the ball with starters Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle, and Harper has to iron out his jumper. But he is an assignment-sound rookie, while Bryant is the 10th man in the rotation due to his strong defense.
3. Detroit Pistons (48-19)
Last ranking: 3
In the last week: W at BRK, W vs PHI, W vs MEM, L at TOR
Offensive rating: 116.8 (ninth place)
Defensive rating: 109.1 (second place)
2025 draft class: SG Chaz Lanier (37th pick)
The Pistons almost evened out their four-game losing streak from the previous week, but they were bulldozed in Canada by Scottie Barnes and Jakob Poeltl on Sunday. Lanier hasn’t played more than 15 minutes in a game since November.
4. New York Knicks (44-25)
Last ranking: 4
In the last week: L at LAC, W at UTA, W at IND, W vs GS
Offensive rating: 118.2 (third place)
Defensive rating: 111.9 (sixth place)
2025 draft class: PF Mohamed Diawara (51st pick)
The Knicks got needed wins, but it’s not the best look that they trailed Utah by 18 points and the Warriors by 21 to get two of them. Diawara is a 39 percent 3-point shooter, and he’s found a way to beat out both Guerschon Yabusele and Jeremy Sochan for backup power forward minutes.
5. Boston Celtics (44-23)
Last ranking: 5
In the last week: L at SA, L at OKC, W vs WAS
Offensive rating: 119.6 (second place)
Defensive rating: 111.7 (fifth place)
2025 draft class: SF Hugo Gonzalez (28th pick), C Amari Williams (46th pick), SG John Tonje (53rd pick), PG Max Shulga (57th pick)
An eventful week for the Celtics, but not necessarily because they were good against the best teams in basketball. Jaylen Brown got himself ejected in San Antonio, then the Celtics blew a 12-point lead in Oklahoma City. Gonzalez had a rough game against the Wizards, as Boston was outscored by 22 points in his nine minutes — a game the Celtics won by 11. But Gonzalez has been a helpful rotation defender. Williams and Shulga haven’t played much this season, but both got promoted from two-way contracts, while Tonje was traded from Utah so that the Celtics could salary dump Chris Boucher.
Tier 2: In a Good Place6. Houston Rockets (41-25)
Last ranking: 8
In the last week: W vs TOR, L at DEN, W vs NO
Offensive rating: 116.4 (10th place)
Defensive rating: 112.2 (eighth place)
2025 draft class: 📭 None
The Rockets had no draft picks in 2025, and they don’t even have pretend rookies on their team. Even the two-way contracts (JD Davison, Tristen Newton, Isaiah Crawford) all have at least one year of NBA experience with other franchises. The Rockets were demolished to end a stretch of five games in seven nights, but otherwise, they did what they’ve been doing all season in terms of limiting losing streaks and winning games in blowout fashion. The win over the Pelicans was the first time the Rockets won a one-score game in more than two months.
7. Orlando Magic (38-28)
Last ranking: 10
In the last week: W vs CLE, W vs WAS, W at MIA
Offensive rating: 114.4 (14th place)
Defensive rating: 112.9 (10th place)
2025 draft class: PG Jase Richardson (25th pick), PF Noah Penda (32nd pick)
It’s quite a clash lining up Monday night in Atlanta, with the Magic bringing a seven-game win streak into their matchup with the Hawks. Desmond Bane has hit some huge shots, and his clutch-time 3 against the Cavaliers was the latest in what has been a great season. Bane has 12 30-point games this season, a career high. Orlando is a good team, so there hasn’t been a lot of time for the rookies. Richardson had an unfortunate dunk contest while being brought along slowly; he’s been buried behind Jevon Carter lately after Tyus Jones was getting backup small guard minutes to begin the season. Penda may be needed more due to injuries thinning out the Magic frontcourt options.
8. Cleveland Cavaliers (41-27)
Last ranking: 6
In the last week: W vs PHI, L at ORL, W at DAL, L vs DAL
Offensive rating: 117.7 (fifth place)
Defensive rating: 113.4 (14th place)
2025 draft class: SG Tyrese Proctor (49th pick)
The “move the needle” game between the former James Harden employer and the current employer lost a lot of steam because of the injuries facing the Sixers, though Joel Embiid made a point to greet Harden anyway. Other than that, it wasn’t exactly a standout week for the Cavaliers, as they lost in Orlando and slipped up against the Mavericks after they won in Dallas. Max Strus (Jones fracture) finally made his season debut, so that’s helpful. Proctor is buried on the depth chart in Cleveland behind Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Sam Merrill, Keon Ellis, Dennis Schröder and Craig Porter Jr.
9. Los Angeles Lakers (42-25)
Last ranking: 11
In the last week: W vs MIN, W vs CHI, W vs DEN
Offensive rating: 116.9 (eighth place)
Defensive rating: 115.9 (20th place)
2025 draft class: SF Adou Thiero (36th pick), SG Chris Manon (undrafted)
This was arguably Dončić’s best week as a Laker. He re-established his powerful bond with Austin Reaves with LeBron James not playing. Then he scored his first 50-point game with the franchise upon James’ return, something Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson never did. Then Dončić made his first game-winning field goal with the Lakers, in what was the first overtime game of the season for Los Angeles. Vibes are about as high as they’ve been in about three months. That doesn’t leave much time for rookies, so Thiero has only played in 19 games while Mañon has only appeared in six. Those two have spent much of the season developing with South Bay.
Nikola Jokiċ and the Nuggets had two tough clutch-time losses in the last week. (William Liang / Imagn Images)
10. Denver Nuggets (41-27)
Last ranking: 9
In the last week: L at OKC, W vs HOU, W at SA, L at LAL
Offensive rating: 120.3 (first place)
Defensive rating: 116.2 (21st place)
2025 draft class: SG Curtis Jones (undrafted)
The Nuggets haven’t really been about using rookies much since the 2023 championship, and this season has been more of the same. Jones has only played 31 minutes this season with Denver; he has spent more of his time dominating touches with Grand Rapids. The Nuggets beat a weary Rockets team at home before completing a 20-point comeback in San Antonio. But the losses seemed more significant, as the Nuggets were unable to win clutch-time games in Oklahoma City or Los Angeles. It’s nice that Aaron Gordon is back, but Denver could really use Peyton Watson’s return as well, particularly with Jonas Valančiūnas’ usefulness declining sharply.
11. Minnesota Timberwolves (41-27)
Last ranking: 7
In the last week: L at LAL, L at LAC, W at GS, L at OKC
Offensive rating: 116.1 (12th place)
Defensive rating: 113.1 (11th place)
2025 draft class: C Joan Beringer (17th pick), C Rocco Zikarsky (44th pick)
Like Denver, rookies don’t really see the light of day under Chris Finch. Beringer has played at least 15 minutes in only four games this season, and two-way contract Zikarsky has 14 minutes all season in Minnesota. Let’s instead talk about how the Timberwolves had two days off following a bad home loss to the Magic before this four-game road trip. It was a discouraging time away from home, to say the least. The Timberwolves were outscored by 60 points in the second half this week, 17 points worse than any other team. Maybe they’re just waiting for the playoffs. But they don’t look good against any of the teams they might face in the first round. They’re 0-3 against the Lakers, 0-1 against the Rockets and 1-3 against the Nuggets. And they’re getting chased by a Suns team that they’ve already lost the head-to-head tiebreaker against as well.
Tier 3: The Bubble12. Toronto Raptors (38-29)
Last ranking: 12
In the last week: L at HOU, L at NO, W vs PHO, W vs DET
Offensive rating: 113.9 (19th place)
Defensive rating: 112.1 (seventh place)
2025 draft class: C Collin Murray-Boyles (ninth pick), SG Alijah Martin (39th pick), PG Chucky Hepburn (undrafted)
Before we get to this year’s rookies, we have to discuss last year’s Toronto rookie, Jamal Shead. Getting daggered by Dejounte Murray was a terrible look, but maybe that lit a fire under these docile dinosaurs, because they went home and got two impressive wins. Murray-Boyles is a rotational big who has been effective but injury-prone; his shooting hand thumb in particular has given him problems. Martin has only played 16 games this season on a two-way contract, while Hepburn has only appeared in two.
13. Miami Heat (38-30)
Last ranking: 13
In the last week: W vs WAS, W vs MIL, L vs ORL
Offensive rating: 114.8 (13th place)
Defensive rating: 111.3 (fourth place)
2025 draft class: PG Kasparas Jakucionis (20th pick), C Vladislav Goldin (undrafted)
Bam Adebayo had three 20-point games in college; he never scored more than 25. He didn’t have his first 20-point game until his second season, and it was the only 20-point game he had through two NBA seasons. He had one career 40-point game entering Tuesday night against the Wizards. This season, Adebayo had only three 30-point games. Adebayo has only averaged 20 points per game once in his previous eight NBA seasons. And then he has an Out Of Bamonte experience. I’ll remember it forever! The only other 30-minute player in that game for the Heat besides Adebayo was Jakucionis, who had a slow start to the season but has earned more and more time while shooting the 3 very well. Goldin is on a two-way contract and has played only four games.
14. Atlanta Hawks (36-31)
Last ranking: 16
In the last week: W vs DAL, W vs BRK, W vs MIL
Offensive rating: 114.2 (15th place)
Defensive rating: 113.2 (12th place)
2025 draft class: PF Asa Newell (23rd pick), SG Keshon Gilbert (undrafted)
“Magic City Monday” was canceled, but the detractors get an A for achievement, the NBA gets an A for awareness, and the Hawks get an A for effort. And you know what? The basketball team hasn’t lost since the announcement! Nine straight wins headed into what was going to be an eventful night against the Magic, a team the Hawks are chasing in the standings! The contributions of Newell haven’t been needed since the All-Star break, as he has played only once since the break and hasn’t played more than 15 minutes in a game since Feb. 9. Gilbert had a 10-day contract with the Wizards last month.
15. Phoenix Suns (39-28)
Last ranking: 14
In the last week: W at MIL, W at IND, L at TOR
Offensive rating: 114.0 (18th place)
Defensive rating: 112.8 (ninth place)
2025 draft class: C Khaman Maluach (10th pick), PF Rasheer Fleming (31st pick), SG Koby Brea (41st pick), PF CJ Huntley (undrafted)
The Suns haven’t made excuses this season. They have continued to stay in the hunt for a top-six seed by, you know, winning games. Phoenix is 7-4 since Dillon Brooks injured his hand, including the game in which he was hurt. Mark Williams has been out, which opened the door for Maluach to get some minutes. But Maluach’s playing time decreased all week. He’s very much a project. Fleming has started to take Ryan Dunn’s minutes as a backup power forward, and he has made 53.3 percent of his 3s over the last 10 games. Brea is on a two-way contract and has played 23 minutes all season. Huntley was waived from a two-way contract in November, but he is back on a two-way contract to finish the season.
16. LA Clippers (34-33)
Last ranking: 18
In the last week: W vs NY, W vs MIN, W vs CHI, L vs SAC
Offensive rating: 116.2 (11th place)
Defensive rating: 115.3 (19th place)
2025 draft class: C Yanic Konan Niederhäuser (30th pick), SF Kobe Sanders (50th pick), PF Norchad Omier (undrafted), PG Sean Pedulla (undrafted)
Things were looking great for the Clippers headed into the weekend, but Saturday was disastrous. Not only did they lose to a division opponent in the Kings, but Kawhi Leonard injured his left ankle again and is doubtful to play Monday against the Spurs. It doesn’t take much to reinforce the slim margin of error for the Clippers, especially when it comes to Leonard, the franchise’s new sole record-holder for most consecutive 20-point games. Konan Niederhäuser was blossoming into a strong rim protector and vertical threat, but now he’s out for at least the rest of the season because of a Lisfranc injury to his right foot and might not be ready to begin next season. Sanders earned a promotion from a two-way contract last month and has been one of the best shooting rookies in the league (40.1 percent 3s, 81.1 percent free throws). Omier (Cleveland) and Pedulla (Rip City) got two-way contracts after the Clippers promoted Sanders and Jordan Miller; both were performing well outside of the organization.
17. Charlotte Hornets (34-34)
Last ranking: 15
In the last week: W at POR, W at SAC, L at SA
Offensive rating: 117.4 (sixth place)
Defensive rating: 114.2 (15th place)
2025 draft class: SF Kon Knueppel (fourth pick), SF Liam McNeeley (29th pick), SG Sion James (33rd pick), C Ryan Kalkbrenner (34th pick)
I remember when the Hornets signed their four rookies to contracts and how all of the veterans were there. Charlotte still has work to do, as it is in 10th place in the Eastern Conference and right at .500. The teams above the Hornets all have multiple games of cushion, and the Florida teams are playing very well. But the Hornets wouldn’t be in this position without their rookie class, led by Rookie of the Year challenger Knueppel, who is having one of the best shooting seasons of any player ever. Knueppel has a league-leading and all-time rookie record 236 3s while making 43.6 percent of them; he has one of 23 player seasons with at least 200 3s and 43 percent shooting from 3 in league history. McNeeley is a good shooter, but he hasn’t played 15 minutes in a game in more than two months. James has played in every game and has been a reliable bench defender. Kalkbrenner lost the starting job to Moussa Diabate but has still settled in as a decent backup center.
Sixers rookie VJ Edgecombe, here driving against Portland’s Jrue Holiday, has been logging a ton of minutes for Philly. (Eric Hartline / Imagn Images)
18. Philadelphia 76ers (37-31)
Last ranking: 17
In the last week: L at CLE, W vs MEM, L at DET, W vs BRK, W vs POR
Offensive rating: 114.1 (17th place)
Defensive rating: 114.6 (17th place)
2025 draft class: SG VJ Edgecombe (third pick), C Johni Broome (35th pick)
This was a week that featured the brutal five-games-in-seven-days stretch for the Sixers, and they should get credit for at least finishing it off with a win against the Trail Blazers while down starters All-Star Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, Paul George and Kelly Oubre Jr. The last man standing is Edgecombe, who is also clocking 35 minutes per game. There are only 10 players in the entire league playing at least that many minutes, and now Edgecombe is seeing attention from defenses he has never seen before for a team still trying to stay out of the Play-In Tournament. Broome only played in 11 games this season and is recovering from a torn right knee meniscus.
19. Golden State Warriors (32-35)
Last ranking: 19
In the last week: L at UTA, L vs CHI, L vs MIN, L at NY
Offensive rating: 114.2 (16th place)
Defensive rating: 113.4 (13th place)
2025 draft class: SG Will Richard (56th pick), SG LJ Cryer (undrafted)
Steve Kerr usually finds a place for rookies, especially ones who don’t need to be featured in any way whatsoever. Richard is a role-player wing who provides average shooting, runs the floor and collects steals at a high rate while competing defensively. He’s been a very nice fit for a Warriors team that has a severe lack of available talent under the age of 30. Cryer, who lost to Richard’s Florida Gators in the 2025 national championship game, has made 41.7 percent of his 3s with Golden State while on a two-way contract. Stephen Curry hasn’t been ruled out for the season, but time is running out on the Warriors, who are plummeting down the standings amid a five-game losing streak. And the losses haven’t discriminated, as the Warriors lost in Utah and against the Bulls on back-to-back nights.
Tier 4: Not the Tier to Fear20. Portland Trail Blazers (32-36)
Last ranking: 20
In the last week: L vs CHA, W vs UTA, L at PHI
Offensive rating: 112.4 (24th place)
Defensive rating: 114.9 (18th place)
2025 draft class: C Yang Hansen (16th pick), SG Caleb Love (undrafted), SG Chris Youngblood (undrafted), SF Jayson Kent (undrafted)
Portland hasn’t had a game worth discussing in a long, long time. The last time the Blazers beat a team with a winning record was three weeks ago in Phoenix against a Suns team playing on zero days’ rest without Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks or Grayson Allen following a double-overtime win. But they own the head-to-head tiebreaker against a Warriors team that is getting chopped down to Portland’s own size. Portland also has two more games left against the Clippers. You can’t just ignore it yet. Yang has an intriguing skill set, but he is very turnover-prone and not ready to score or defend at the NBA level. Love has played a lot while leading all undrafted rookies in minutes and points, but Portland has also been terrible with him on the floor. Youngblood was with the Thunder on a two-way contract before being waived last month and being scooped up by Portland earlier this month. Kent is a defensive-minded wing who is on a two-way contract like Love and Youngblood.
21. Chicago Bulls (27-40)
Last ranking: 21
In the last week: W at GS, L at LAL, L at LAC
Offensive rating: 112.3 (25th place)
Defensive rating: 116.9 (23rd place)
2025 draft class: PF Noa Essengue (12th pick), C Lachlan Olbrich (55th pick)
The Bulls aren’t good, but they’re fast. And teams have to play well to beat them. But because they are not good, those performances from opponents can be loud (see: Luka Dončić treating Matas Buzelis like a piñata). It’s a shame that Essengue’s season ended three months ago due to shoulder surgery, because he would be getting necessary playing time right now. Olbrich has played 24 games while on a two-way contract.
22. Milwaukee Bucks (28-39)
Last ranking: 22
In the last week: L vs PHO, L at MIA, L at ATL, W vs IND
Offensive rating: 112.5 (23rd place)
Defensive rating: 117.3 (25th place)
2025 draft class: 📭 Bogoljub Markovic (47th pick)
The Bucks stashed the 20-year-old Serbian so that he can get more buckets with Mega Superbet. In the meantime, the Bucks continue to look sad with no true rookies on the roster, and whether Giannis Antetokounmpo plays or not. Milwaukee is now 17-19 when Antetokounmpo plays this season.
23. Dallas Mavericks (23-45)
Last ranking: 25
In the last week: L at ATL, W at MEM, L vs CLE, W at CLE
Offensive rating: 109.8 (27th place)
Defensive rating: 114.5 (16th place)
2025 draft class: PF Cooper Flagg (first pick), PG Ryan Nembhard (undrafted), C Moussa Cissé (undrafted), SG John Poulakidas (undrafted)
The Mavericks split the week, and the win in Cleveland was particularly notable considering what happened the last time the Mavericks were in Ohio. That’s when Nico Harrison and Jason Kidd discussed trading Luka Dončić the night before getting walloped by 43 points on a Sunday afternoon. It helps to have Flagg, a great prospect who has not had an ideal or consistent roster around him. Flagg is 19 years old and averaging 20.2 points per game while not equipped with a consistent 3-point shot. Flagg’s best point guard has been Nembhard, who leads Dallas in assists (4.7 per game) despite being on the same team this season as D’Angelo Russell, Brandon Williams and Tyus Jones. Nembhard was promoted from a two-way contract last month. Two-way contract Cissé is unlikely to ever be strong offensively, but he has value as a pick-and-roll defender who can rack up blocks. Poulakidas earned a two-way contract last month after shooting in the high 40s from 3 with the San Diego Clippers.
24. New Orleans Pelicans (22-46)
Last ranking: 24
In the last week: W vs TOR, L at HOU
Offensive rating: 113.2 (21st place)
Defensive rating: 117.5 (26th place)
2025 draft class: PG Jeremiah Fears (seventh pick), PF Derik Queen (13th pick), SF Micah Peavy (40th pick), C Hunter Dickinson (undrafted)
Dejounte Murray’s loud return to action is interesting for one more reason: Two of New Orleans’ best players play the same position as the team’s 2025 lottery picks, both of whom need the ball in their hands while struggling to defend. Fears has 11 20-point games this season; only Kon Knueppel, Cooper Flagg and VJ Edgecombe have more. Queen has nine 20-point games, but he is averaging 10 fewer minutes per game in March than he was in December, and Fears is playing fewer minutes per game in March than he has all season. All of this for a team that has more than twice as many losses as wins. Peavy has played 30 total minutes since January ended, though Peavy had a forgettable January offensively (69 points on 85 shots). Dickinson played just under five minutes in the season opener and hasn’t seen the court for New Orleans since; he’s spent most of his time with Birmingham on a two-way contract.
25. Memphis Grizzlies (23-43)
Last ranking: 23
In the last week: L at BRK, L at PHI, L vs DAL, L at DET
Offensive rating: 113.7 (20th place)
Defensive rating: 116.5 (22nd place)
2025 draft class: SG Cedric Coward (11th pick), PG Walter Clayton Jr. (18th pick), PG Javon Small (48th pick), SG Jahmai Mashack (59th pick)
The Grizzlies are on a seven-game losing streak, and they have allowed at least 120 points in the last six of those games. That’s about all the basketball there is to speak of for this particular tank. Coward has had a solid rookie season, though it’s been two months since he’s had 20 points in a game. Clayton was included in the Jaren Jackson Jr. trade and has helped make up for the absence of Ja Morant, but Clayton has had a hard time scoring (39.8 percent field goals in Utah, 34.4 percent in Memphis). Small and Mashack are on two-way contracts; Small has been quite good in his minutes (42.4 percent 3s, better than 3:1 assist-turnover ratio) while Mashack averages 1.2 steals per game.
Tier 5: Basement Floor26. Sacramento Kings (18-51)
Last ranking: 28
In the last week: W vs IND, L vs CHA, W at LAC, W vs UTA
Offensive rating: 109.9 (26th place)
Defensive rating: 119.4 (28th place)
2025 draft class: SF Nique Clifford (24th pick), C Maxime Raynaud (42nd pick), C Dylan Cardwell (undrafted)
The Kings have won four of their last five games. They had lost 20 of their previous 22 games. The win that stands out is the one in LA, where Russell Westbrook antagonized Kris Dunn and Kawhi Leonard injured himself while defending DeMar DeRozan. It’s actually been a strong year for Sacramento’s draft class. Clifford hasn’t mastered anything, but he has shown flashes of being a multi-tool player. Raynaud has seven 20-point games as a second-round center; he’s this year’s Kyle Filipowski. If the Kings could just keep Raynaud on offense and Cardwell on defense, they’d have a top player.
27. Utah Jazz (20-48)
Last ranking: 27
In the last week: W vs GS, L vs NY, L at POR, L at SAC
Offensive rating: 113.2 (22nd place)
Defensive rating: 120.6 (30th place)
2025 draft class: SF Ace Bailey (fifth pick), SF Andersson Garcia (undrafted), PG Bez Mbeng (undrafted)
The Jazz keep rolling out skeleton crews, and they showed that they can win despite the circumstances. Unfortunately, Bailey is in concussion protocol. He hasn’t shown that he’s a difference-maker yet while sharing touches with Keyonte George, Lauri Markkanen and Brice Sensabaugh. Garcia and Mbeng are on 10-day contracts and getting more than 30 minutes a game each.
28. Brooklyn Nets (17-50)
Last ranking: 26
In the last week: W vs MEM, L vs DET, L at ATL, L at PHI
Offensive rating: 109.4 (29th place)
Defensive rating: 118.2 (27th place)
2025 draft class: PG Egor Demin (eighth pick), PG Nolan Traore (19th pick), SG Drake Powell (22nd pick), PG Ben Saraf (26th pick), PF Danny Wolf (27th pick), SF Chaney Johnson (undrafted)
The highlight of the week for the Nets was when Day’Ron Sharpe came off the bench to score a team-high 19 points against the Grizzlies. And that’s the last of Sharpe that you’ll see this season, as he underwent left thumb surgery. Sharpe is not the only one out for the season, as Demin’s left foot plantar fasciitis issues have cut his season short after 52 games played. Demin’s shooting was encouraging, but he has a long way to go on the ball. Traore is going to get all the run he can handle, along with Saraf, who has spent most of the season with Long Island. Powell is an off-ball player who has to improve his sub-30-percent 3-point shooting. Wolf has to figure out how to score (40.8 percent field goals). Johnson earned a two-way contract as a 3-and-D wing.
29. Washington Wizards (16-50)
Last ranking: 29
In the last week: L at MIA, L at ORL, L at BOS
Offensive rating: 109.5 (28th place)
Defensive rating: 120.4 (29th place)
2025 draft class: SG Tre Johnson (sixth pick), SF Will Riley (21st pick), SF Jamir Watkins (43rd pick), C Juju Reese (undrafted)
In an effort to show a little bit more tact, the Wizards ate up Orlando’s 19-point lead before losing in overtime. A more humane, ethical way to lose, but part of an 11-game losing streak all the same. It’s been a rough stretch for Johnson lately, who has missed 20 of his last 24 shots entering Monday and is down to only 33.3 percent from the field in March after making only 23.1 percent from 3 in February. Johnson is still shooting 37.1 percent from 3, which is what he was drafted to do, so he’s still on track to be a future difference-maker. Someone has to play and take shots for this team, and Riley has seen a significant increase in minutes and usage since the All-Star break. Watkins was promoted off his two-way contract while being asked to defend land, sea and air. Reese is on a two-way contract and also gets MeBounds.
30. Indiana Pacers (15-53)
Last ranking: 30
In the last week: L at SAC, L vs PHO, L vs NY, L at MIL
Offensive rating: 108.8 (30th place)
Defensive rating: 117.3 (24th place)
2025 draft class: PG Kam Jones (38th pick), SG Taelon Peter (54th pick)
Ivica Zubac finally made his Pacers debut! The losses have continued, though, with the Pacers on their second 13-game losing streak of the season. The rookies are not here to help. Jones has a strong assist-turnover ratio (2.8 assists, 0.9 turnovers per game) but hasn’t figured out how to score yet. Peter is on a two-way contract and has not shot well in his limited NBA minutes.