The NBA power rankings may have shifted after a busy weekend in which the rich got richer in the Eastern Conference.
The Milwaukee Bucks, who won 58 games last season, just traded for Damian Lillard, adding another superstar for the Detroit Pistons to contend with in the Central Division.
The Celtics were just behind them with 57 wins and walked away from the Lillard fallout with an All-Star guard of their own in Jrue Holiday. This is probably the worst-case scenario for the Bucks, who momentarily pulled away from Boston in the arms race, but then had to watch their guy go to their biggest competition in the East.
The Western Conference has been the better conference for decades, with the West winning 17 of the last 25 titles and being the more balanced side overall.
But has that shifted with the recent deals? I’ve broken the league into three categories and teams are listed in no particular order.
New NBA power rankings: Is the East better than the West?
No chance to win the East
- Washington Wizards
- Orlando Magic
- Charlotte Hornets
- Detroit Pistons
No chance to win the West
- Utah Jazz
- Portland Trail Blazers
- Houston Rockets
- San Antonio Spurs
Let’s start with the bottom, which unfortunately includes the Detroit Pistons in the East. Both conferences have four teams with no realistic chance of winning their respective conferences next season.
The bottom of the West looks a little stronger, though the Pistons could be the wildcard here, as they are set to defy expectations with the return of Cade Cunningham.
The Spurs are set to make a leap with Wembanyama on board, and the Rockets should be better with a new coach and the additions of Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks. You could argue which of these four teams is the best or worst, but I’d give a slight edge to the West.
Edge: Western Conference
New NBA power rankings: Is the East better than the West?
If everything goes right, they could win the East
- Brooklyn Nets
- Atlanta Hawks
- Toronto Raptors
- Chicago Bulls
- Indiana Pacers
If everything goes right, they could win the West
- Sacramento Kings
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- New Orleans Pelicans
- OKC Thunder
- Dallas Mavericks
It’s hard to look at any of these teams as serious contenders next season, but they all have talent, and if absolutely everything went right, who knows, they could compete for their conference.
But these Eastern teams are mediocre at best, while there are teams in this Western group that could realistically make some noise.
The Kings were the 3rd seed last season and will be running it back with more confidence. The Pelicans were leading the West last season before being decimated by injuries. It’s a huge “IF”, but if Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram are healthy all season, they could win the West.
The Mavs have perennial MVP candidate Luka Doncic with a full season of Kyrie Irving, so who knows how that will turn out.
The West is clearly deeper with teams that could actually win their conference, as the Eastern teams listed here have no realistic chance.
Edge: Western Conference
New NBA power rankings: Is the East better than the West?
Could win the East and an NBA title
- Milwaukee Bucks
- Boston Celtics
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- New York Knicks
- Miami Heat
Could win the West and an NBA title
- Denver Nuggets
- Memphis Grizzlies
- Phoenix Suns
- Golden State Warriors
- LA Clippers
- LA Lakers
The East may be more top-heavy after the Lillard and Holiday trades. Oddsmakers agree, and now have the Bucks and Celtics as the most likely teams to make the NBA Finals next season.
But there is a big drop-off after that, as the 76ers are a bit of a mess with the Harden situation and the Cavs, Knicks and Heat haven’t really improved their rosters this season, and in the case of Miami, you could say they’ve gotten worse after losing two rotation players and missing out on Lillard.
There is less of a drop off in the West, as the Grizzlies, Suns, Warriors, Lakers, and to a lesser extent, Clippers, believe they can win it all and have an argument. The Nuggets did lose some key role players and the Grizzlies have the Ja Morant situation to deal with, but the Suns, Warriors and Lakers have all gotten better this offseason.
The East may be as good or better at the very top, but the West still seems like the better top-to-bottom conference. It’s definitely gotten closer, but unless some of the middling teams in the East make moves, the West still has more title contenders.
Edge: Western Conference