NBA Power Rankings 1.0: Celtics steady, Karl-Anthony Towns trade propels Knicks

24. Detroit Pistons

Perhaps this is a bit too high for the Detroit Pistons, but Tobias Harris and Malik Beasley are legitimately good additions, and JB Bickerstaff has proven to be a quality head coach.

If Cade Cunningham can take a leap this year, this Pistons squad has a real chance to sniff the Play-In Tournament. They have talented pieces. They just have to put it all together.

23. Atlanta Hawks

With Dejounte Murray gone, there’s a chance that Trae Young could thrive again as the lead guard, but this Atlanta Hawks team is as bad as it’s been in years.

Jalen Johnson could turn into a budding star, and Zaccharie Risacher will be fun to watch, but the Hawks probably won’t be a playoff team. It feels like a Young trade could come in the next calendar year.

22. Toronto Raptors

Jakob Poeltl said it himself: The Toronto Raptors aren’t chasing a championship this season. The core of Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley looks decent, but it’s not bringing home any banners anytime soon.

It’s still baffling that Toronto traded a first-rounder for Poeltl less than two years ago. It came back to bite them, and now, they’re looking at a full-time rebuild. (Or at least they should be.)

21. San Antonio Spurs

By the time the season is a month old, the San Antonio Spurs may have skyrocketed up these rankings. But for now, last year’s brutal season needs to be accounted for.

Victor Wembanyama is already a Top 20 player in the NBA, and Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes should help the Spurs win games, but for now, they can’t be above some potential playoff teams.