Note: This is a new, updated version of the ESPN's Future Power Rankings of NBA teams. The original edition launched on November 10.
The Future Power Rankings are ESPN Insider's projection of the on-court success expected for each team during the 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons.
Consider this a convenient way to see in what direction your favorite team is headed.
Each of the NBA's 30 teams received an overall Future Power Rating of 0 to 1,000, based on how well we expected each team to perform in the three seasons following this season.
To determine the Future Power Rating, we rated each team in five categories (see table at right).
As you can see, we determined that the most important category was a team's current players and the future potential of those players -- that category accounted for 40 percent of each team's overall Future Power Rating.
At the same time, we looked at many other factors, such as management, ownership, coaching, a team's spending habits, its cap situation, the reputation of the city and the franchise, and what kind of draft picks we expected the team to have in the future.
To reach our ratings in each category, we talked to teams to get a handle on their future strategies, we looked at their contractual commitments and we carefully broke down each roster to figure out which players would improve, which would decline and which would likely depart.
We expect these rankings to evolve as the season moves along, trades are made, injuries occur, strategies shift, and so on. Return from time to time as we update the rankings.
Here are our current rankings, from 1 to 30:
Future Power Rankings:
"http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=FuturePowerRankings-1-091215">1-5 |
"http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=FuturePowerRankings-2-091215">6-10 |
"http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=FuturePowerRankings-3-091215">11-15 |
"http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=FuturePowerRankings-4-091215">16-20 |
"http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=FuturePowerRankings-5-091215">21-25 |
"http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=FuturePowerRankings-6-091215">26-30
1. Orlando Magic | Future Power Rating: 695
The Magic are the new No. 1 thanks to a strong start to 2009-10 and the struggles for former No. 1 Portland. With a 17-5 start despite numerous injuries and a 10-game suspension for Rashard Lewis, one has to conclude the Magic's formidable depth makes them title contenders regardless of what's thrown their way. Ryan Anderson's strong start improved the score for their players and the other ratings stayed the same.
The scary part is Orlando could still improve considerably. Big men Marcin Gortat and Brandon Bass hardly play, but each is a desirable trade chip that the Magic could move for more help at midseason.
(Previous rank: 2)
2. Los Angeles Lakers | Future Power Rating: 675
The Lakers moved from third to second after Portland's early-season struggles, but the strong return of Andrew Bynum also helped boost the score for their players by 18 points. The fact Ron Artest has been a solid citizen thus far also helps their score, although the Lakers have to be concerned about sluggish starts by Lamar Odom and Derek Fisher. In fact, their aging core is their biggest risk going forward.
The other big question is the status of Phil Jackson -- we'd give the Lakers an upgrade in management if we knew the Zen Master would be sticking around a while longer. What isn't in question is that Byrant, Bynum and Pau Gasol make up the league's top triumvirate, and as long as that remains the case, the Lakers' prospects seem as bright as the Southern California sun.
(Previous rank: 3)
3. Oklahoma City Thunder | Future Power Rating: 661
The Thunder's strong start propelled them to third in the rankings, as the good play of rookie James Harden and the continued progress of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook caused us to move the Thunder's roster from sixth to third in our rankings.
At this point the Thunder look like a playoff team, although that may actually hurt their score going forward. They possess both their own first-round draft pick and an unprotected one from Phoenix in June's draft; while we haven't downgraded them much yet, their draft rating is going to take a hit if both teams continue playing this well.
(Previous rank: 4)
4. Miami Heat | Future Power Rating: 631
Miami moved up a spot when we downgraded Portland, but in terms of their score nothing really changed for the Heat in this update. They continue to be a one-man team poised to add to their talent base in the 2010 free-agent market. Michael Beasley's inconsistency is a negative; as one potential way for Miami to move further up the list would be for him to break out. Instead, he may be a trade asset that allows Miami to pair a third star with Dwyane Wade and a max-level free agent.
(Previous rank: 5)
5. Utah Jazz | Future Power Rating: 610
The Jazz consistently play the role of one of the most underrated teams in the league, and likewise our rankings here expose just how surprisingly dangerous they should be going forward.
Despite being engaged in a middling season, the Jazz's future looks bright. Deron Williams (25) is a star point guard (even if he's never made the All-Star team). Paul Millsap (24) is a tenacious rebounder, and rookie Eric Maynor (22) has had some bright moments in the early going for the Jazz.
However, the big news continues to be that Utah holds New York's first-round draft pick -- a pick that looks likely to be a top-5 pick in what's shaping up to be a very strong draft. Adding another core player should put the Jazz in very good stead for the next four or five seasons.
(Previous rank: 6)
Future Power Rankings:
"http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=FuturePowerRankings-1-091215">1-5 |
"http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=FuturePowerRankings-2-091215">6-10 |
"http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=FuturePowerRankings-3-091215">11-15 |
"http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=FuturePowerRankings-4-091215">16-20 |
"http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=FuturePowerRankings-5-091215">21-25 |
"http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=FuturePowerRankings-6-091215">26-30
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