NBA Power Rankings: Rockets keep ascending, and a new face in all 30 places

Here it’s December every day …

Teams spend the offseason remodeling rosters in a variety of ways. There is the draft at the end of June, free agency getting underway right as July begins, and the summer always threatens trade activity.

Even in training camp, teams sign players to compete for end-of-bench roles and then waive them, while every new guy has adjustments to make. That’s the case even for the star players on new teams, who also make it so that incumbent teammates have to adjust to them.

November provides something of a honeymoon period for new players in new cities, whether they are rookies or veterans. It’s a month that has very little transactional activity.

Now that November is over, we will get into the Power Rankings this week by taking a look at a new face on every team. Some of these players are main pieces, while others are hidden figures on established rosters.

A reminder: These Power Rankings won’t just rank every team. We will retain the tiers that teams will be promoted into and relegated out of. There will be five tiers every 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

Let’s dive into Week 6 of the Power Rankings. Win/loss records and statistics are through Monday’s games.

Tier 1: Top Contenders

1. Boston Celtics (17-4)

Last ranking: 1
In the last week: W at CHI, L at CLE, W vs. MIA
Offensive rating: 120.3 (third)
Defensive rating: 110.2 (eighth)

New face: Baylor Scheierman

I’m keeping the defending champs at the top for another week — the matchup between Boston and Cleveland is a bit of a wash for right now. This Celtics roster is an unusual one, as Boston retained nearly every standard contract player from the 2024 championship team. The only players who didn’t return were Svi Mykhailiuk and Oshae Brissett, and in their place is an open roster spot and Scheierman, the No. 30 pick from the 2024 NBA Draft who has only played 34 minutes all season. A defending champion hasn’t had continuity like this since the San Antonio Spurs 10 years ago.

2. Cleveland Cavaliers (18-3)

Last ranking: 2
In the last week: L vs. ATL, L at ATL, W vs. BOS
Offensive rating: 120.8 (second)
Defensive rating: 111.7 (11th)

New face: Jaylon Tyson

Continuity will be a theme for a few teams at the top, and the 11 players who have appeared in at least 100 minutes for the Cavaliers this season all ended last season in Cleveland. That list does not include Max Strus, last year’s starting small forward who has yet to debut this season while recovering from a sprained ankle. Tyson is a first-round pick out of California who has played in every game since the Cavaliers lost in Boston last month. He flashed an enticing floor game in New Orleans, scoring 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting and adding 11 rebounds, seven assists and two steals. If nothing else, Cleveland has a player worth keeping an eye on at the wing.

3. Houston Rockets (15-6)

Last ranking: 5
In the last week: W at MIN, W at PHI, W vs. OKC
Offensive rating: 112.5 (15th)
Defensive rating: 104.3 (second)

New face: Reed Sheppard

Out of 14 Rockets to play at least 30 minutes this season, Sheppard is the only one who did not finish last season in Houston. Sheppard, the third pick in the draft out of Kentucky, was the first American player and the first guard selected. He is getting a long leash to figure things out, but Sunday’s win against the Thunder was actually the first time in Sheppard’s 21-game NBA career that he attempted a free throw. I had been sitting on that one for a while — Sheppard’s first 20 NBA games resulted in a mustache and zero free-throw attempts! Yes, the Rockets are rapidly ascending. But they still have real room for improvement, and Sheppard figuring out how to score at the NBA level is part of it.

4. Oklahoma City Thunder (15-5)

Last ranking: 3
In the last week: W at GS, W at LAL, L at HOU
Offensive rating: 113.7 (10th)
Defensive rating: 103.6 (first)

New face: Isaiah Hartenstein

The Thunder finally lost with Hartenstein in the lineup Sunday in Houston after four straight wins with the free-agent acquisition. Hartenstein recovered from his fractured hand and debuted even better than advertised, securing double-doubles in points and rebounds in each game. Hartenstein never had more than two games in a row with a double-double last season with the Knicks.

5. Memphis Grizzlies (14-7)

Last ranking: 6
In the last week: W vs. DET, W vs. NO, W vs. IND
Offensive rating: 116.7 (fifth)
Defensive rating: 108.7 (sixth)

New face: Jaylen Wells

The marquee 2024 draft selection by the Memphis Grizzlies was top-10 pick Zach Edey, but he has missed more than two weeks with a sprained ankle. The 7-foot-4 center will be back this month, but in the meantime, there’s another Grizzlies draft pick racking up starts and minutes. Wells was the 39th pick out of Washington State, and he has been sniping as the starting small forward in Memphis. What Wells does at a high level is find 3s on the fast break; only Dalton Knecht has made more 3s among rookies this season than Wells (42 of 106, 39.6 percent).

Tier 2: In a Good Place

6. Orlando Magic (15-7)

Last ranking: 7
In the last week: W vs. CHI, W at BRK, W at BRK
Offensive rating: 110.7 (22nd)
Defensive rating: 104.5 (third)

New face: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

Caldwell-Pope signed a three-year contract to leave the Denver Nuggets for Orange County, Fla. And while he has struggled to bring the shooting that the Magic desperately need (41.1 percent field goals, 31 percent 3s), they continue to win with him getting 30 minutes per game. This past week saw Caldwell-Pope possibly breaking out of his slow start to the season, as he made 14 of 24 3s while shooting 65.6 percent from the field overall in the last three games.

7. Dallas Mavericks (13-8)

Last ranking: 9
In the last week: W vs. NY, W at UTA, W at POR
Offensive rating: 116.7 (fourth)
Defensive rating: 110.5 (ninth)

New face: Klay Thompson

Thompson is playing on an isolation-heavy team for the first time since he was being coached by Mark Jackson in Golden State more than a decade ago. Of course, that just means that Thompson touches the ball even less than he did last season with the Warriors. Thompson is averaging the fewest points (13.2) and field-goal attempts (12.3) since his rookie season, and the fewest assists (1.8) and free-throw attempts (0.9) of his career. His field goal (36.8) and 3-point (36.8) percentages are also career lows.

8. Golden State Warriors (12-7)

Last ranking: 4
In the last week: L vs. OKC, L at PHO
Offensive rating: 114.0 (eighth)
Defensive rating: 107.7 (fifth)

New face: Buddy Hield

So many players, so little time. Steve Kerr’s expanded rotation was looking like an asset when Golden State started 12-3. But the Warriors are starting to falter, with Stephen Curry dealing with knee issues, De’Anthony Melton undergoing season-ending ACL surgery and too many players not making enough of an impact. There’s a reason most coaches stick with 8-to-10-man rotations. Now, Draymond Green is dealing with a calf issue and could miss games for the first time all season.

Of the 13 players Kerr has used for 20 minutes in a game, only Curry, Green and Andrew Wiggins have played more than Klay Thompson’s shooting replacement, Hield. There have been six games in which Hield has scored 20 or more points, and the Warriors are undefeated in those games. But there have also been five games in which Hield has failed to reach double figures, and Golden State lost all of those games except for the night Chet Holmgren was injured in Oklahoma City.

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9. New York Knicks (12-8)

Last ranking: 8
In the last week: L at DAL, W at CHA, W vs. NO
Offensive rating: 121.1 (first)
Defensive rating: 114.6 (22nd)

New face: Mikal Bridges

I realize that Karl-Anthony Towns was the one who was traded for fellow All-Star Julius Randle just before training camp, but let’s check in here on Bridges, who was traded months earlier for control of seven draft picks. Bridges had his first 30-point game with the Knicks in a blowout win against the Pelicans on Sunday, which also was Bridges’ first game of the season in which he made more than four 3s. Even in that game, Bridges failed to attempt a free throw; he has only made 8 of 13 at the stripe to go with a career-low 33.1 percent from 3. New York rarely takes Bridges off the floor, and it’s not like he has been a bystander out there. But everyone will be watching to see how Bridges progresses with his shot and aggression as a Knick.

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10. LA Clippers (13-9)

Last ranking: 10
In the last week: W at WAS, L at MIN, W vs. DEN
Offensive rating: 110.6 (23rd)
Defensive rating: 107.7 (fourth)

New face: Derrick Jones Jr.

This is low-hanging fruit, but Jones has as many 20-point games this season (one) as the player he replaced in the Clippers’ lineup, All-Star Paul George. Of course, Jones wasn’t brought to LA for his offense, though he is averaging career-bests in points (10.0) and 3s (1.2 makes, 41.9 percent) so far this season. Jones is the top forward defender for a Clippers team still missing Kawhi Leonard, and he has combined with fellow newcomer Kris Dunn to change the attitude of LA’s defense to begin the season.

11. Denver Nuggets (10-8)

Last ranking: 11
In the last week: W at UTA, L at LAC
Offensive rating: 115.7 (sixth)
Defensive rating: 114.2 (19th)

New face: Russell Westbrook

Only eight Nuggets have averaged more than 15 minutes per game this season, and Westbrook is the only one who did not play in Denver last season. The Nuggets have outscored foes by 23 points this season in the 214 minutes he has shared the floor with reigning MVP Nikola Jokić and have outscored opponents by 12 points in the 168 minutes Westbrook has shared the floor with fellow point guard Jamal Murray. But all Westbrook lineups that don’t have either Jokić or Murray on the floor have been outscored by 111 points. Denver has a very difficult time scoring if Jokić or Murray are not on the floor, and Westbrook hasn’t helped that issue.

12. Milwaukee Bucks (10-9)

Last ranking: 17
In the last week: W at MIA, W vs. WAS
Offensive rating: 113.4 (12th)
Defensive rating: 112.7 (14th)

New face: Taurean Prince

Prince and new/old assistant coach Darvin Ham were the butt of frequent jokes last year with the Los Angeles Lakers. With small forward Khris Middleton still recovering from ankle surgeries, Prince has been a starter. He is quite one-dimensional, as he’s only on the floor to shoot 3s, but that one dimension has seen Prince lead the league in 3-point percentage (54.2, while making 2.1 per game).

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13. San Antonio Spurs (11-9)

Last ranking: 12
In the last week: W at UTA, L vs. LAL, W at SAC
Offensive rating: 112.2 (18th)
Defensive rating: 112.2 (13th)

New face: Chris Paul

After starting only 18 games with the Golden State Warriors, future Hall of Fame point guard Paul signed with the Spurs, and he is doing it yet again. Paul went to the playoffs in his first season as a Clippers, Rockets, Thunder and Suns point guard. This season, a Spurs team that won 22 games last season has reached the halfway mark of that win total through only 20 games, all of them started by the Point God. Paul doesn’t score a lot these days, and he needs to be hidden defensively, but he’s doing everything else. Of the nine players who average at least 8.0 assists per game this season, none averages fewer turnovers than Paul (8.3 assists, 1.8 turnovers).

Tier 3: The Bubble

14. Phoenix Suns (11-8)

Last ranking: 14
In the last week: W vs. LAL, L vs. BRK, W vs. GS
Offensive rating: 113.4 (13th)
Defensive rating: 114.3 (20th)

New face: Tyus Jones

Phoenix decided to punt on traditional point guards last season, and it ranked 24th in assist-turnover ratio. This offseason saw assist-turnover ratio merchant Jones fall into Phoenix’s lap after the small guard was greeted by a frigid market in unrestricted free agency. Now, Phoenix ranks 10th in assist-turnover ratio this season with Jones as a starter. Sometimes the Suns need to get Jones off the floor so that they can defend, but Jones has been as advertised, averaging 7.2 assists and only 1.1 turnovers per game.

15. Los Angeles Lakers (12-9)

Last ranking: 13
In the last week: L at PHO, W at SA, L vs. OKC, W at UTA, L at MIN
Offensive rating: 113.8 (ninth)
Defensive rating: 116.7 (24th)

New face: Dalton Knecht

Knecht replaced Taurean Prince on the roster, and he has been a bright spot, making 2.3 3s per game at 41 percent. The 17th pick in the draft, Knecht has been significantly more helpful as a starter than as a reserve, which was not the case with Prince last season. Los Angeles did not do anything else to change the roster, outside of replacing Spencer Dinwiddie with second-round pick Bronny James, but it hit with Knecht.

16. Atlanta Hawks (11-11)

Last ranking: 23
In the last week: W at CLE, W vs. CLE, W at CHA, W vs. NO
Offensive rating: 111.4 (21st)
Defensive rating: 114.0 (18th)

New face: Zaccharie Risacher

This is the team that kept the Cleveland Cavaliers out of the top spot of the rankings this week, but I don’t mean for that to be a slight with the way the Hawks are playing lately. Risacher, the top pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, is part of a revamped wing tandem in Atlanta that also includes shooting guard Dyson Daniels. While Daniels has had a far greater impact as The Great Barrier Thief, Risacher is having one of the quietest seasons from a No. 1 pick in recent memory.

According to Second Spectrum, Risacher is averaging only 31.1 touches per game, the lowest since 2013 top pick Anthony Bennett averaged only 21.7 touches per game as a rookie. Every other top pick over the previous 11 drafts averaged no fewer than 43.6 touches per game (the mark set by Markelle Fultz in 2017-18). Risacher needs to improve his 3-point shooting. He is making 43.2 percent from the corner, which is good. But among 107 players to attempt at least 60 3s above the break, Risacher is the only shooter under 20 percent (13 of 66, 19.7 percent).

17. Minnesota Timberwolves (10-10)

Last ranking: 16
In the last week: L vs. HOU, L vs. SAC, W vs. LAC, W vs. LAL
Offensive rating: 112.3 (17th)
Defensive rating: 110.0 (seventh)

New face: Julius Randle

Randle’s fit with the Timberwolves after being traded for Karl-Anthony Towns is one of the most scrutinized in the league, and not just because of what the two players do on the floor. Randle’s numbers are fine, especially offensively, averaging 21.0 points, 4.1 assists and 1.6 3s per game. But last year’s Timberwolves got out to a 16-4 start, with the league’s top defense. This year’s group resembles Chris Finch’s other two training camp teams, each of which split their first 20 games. On one hand, it is easy to look at Randle as the primary disruptor of last year’s team. But on the other hand, perhaps these are the Timberwolves everyone should be used to.

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18. Miami Heat (9-10)

Last ranking: 15
In the last week: L vs. MIL, W at CHA, W vs. TOR, L at TOR, L at BOS
Offensive rating: 111.7 (20th)
Defensive rating: 111.7 (10th)

New face: Pelle Larsson

The Heat are another one of those teams that retained most of their roster from the end of last season. And they also are another one of those teams that are getting more out of their second-round pick than their first-rounder. While 15th selection Kel’el Ware has only played 69 minutes this season, 44th pick Larsson has started to play consistent minutes. Larsson has kept his makes to a minimum on both ends of the floor while shooting 55.2 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from 3.

Tier 4: Not the Tier to Fear

19. Sacramento Kings (9-12)

Last ranking: 18
In the last week: W at MIN, L at POR, L vs. SA
Offensive rating: 114.2 (seventh)
Defensive rating: 113.6 (17th)

New face: DeMar DeRozan

DeRozan has come in to do what he does, and that’s get buckets, especially in the midrange. For the 12th season in a row, DeRozan is averaging more than 20 points per game, and he is doing it while making 50.7 percent from the field. DeRozan can create for himself and others, and he is averaging a career-best 1.6 steals to begin this season as well. Depth has been a real challenge for Sacramento, even at DeRozan’s position, and it has no trustworthy young prospects with which to address that weakness. That is why Doug McDermott was signed in the preseason and Jae Crowder was added last week.

20. Detroit Pistons (9-13)

Last ranking: 21
In the last week: L at MEM, W at IND, L vs. PHI
Offensive rating: 110.5 (24th)
Defensive rating: 112.2 (12th)

New face: Tobias Harris

Harris is the veteran tasked with complementing the neophyte Pistons backcourt of Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey. While Harris has been a consistent presence in Detroit’s lineup, the 14-year veteran is shooting a career-low 44 percent from the field while averaging his fewest points per game (13.4) in a dozen seasons.

21. Indiana Pacers (9-12)

Last ranking: 20
In the last week: W vs. POR, L vs. DET, L at MEM
Offensive rating: 112.4 (16th)
Defensive rating: 116.9 (25th)

New face: Johnny Furphy

We are really reaching with this one, as the Pacers brought back everyone from the end of last season’s rotation except for backup center Jalen Smith. Unfortunately, James Wiseman was brought in to replace Smith and suffered a season-ending Achilles’ tendon tear in the regular-season opener. Furphy was the 35th pick in the draft, and the 6-foot-8 Australian wing is the only new Pacer to play more than 100 minutes this season. He’s averaged 2.7 points in his 12 games.

22. Chicago Bulls (9-13)

Last ranking: 22
In the last week: W at WAS, L at ORL, L vs. BOS, W vs. BRK
Offensive rating: 113.4 (11th)
Defensive rating: 117.6 (27th)

New face: Josh Giddey

Giddey was traded from Oklahoma City for Alex Caruso, but he essentially replaced DeMar DeRozan and his presence has shrunk Coby White’s ballhandling workload significantly. Giddey can rebound and pass, but his struggles as a scorer, shooter and defender make him an odd fit at times. On the other hand, Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic are off to some of the most efficient shooting starts of their careers.

23. Brooklyn Nets (9-13)

Last ranking: 19
In the last week: W at PHO, L vs. ORL, L vs. ORL, L at CHI
Offensive rating: 113.1 (14th)
Defensive rating: 117.1 (26th)

New face: Ziaire Williams

Williams was the 10th pick in the 2021 NBA Draft and is set to be a free agent in 2025 after beginning his career in Memphis. He is the only one of Brooklyn’s 12 players averaging more than 16 minutes per game who wasn’t with the Nets last season. That’s particularly notable given that the Nets didn’t select a player in the 2024 draft and haven’t gotten anything from the best player coming back from the Bridges trade, as Bojan Bogdanović has been injured all season. Williams’ activity defensively has earned him a role, though his offense is still too unreliable (40.3 percent field goals this season after 42.6 percent with the Grizzlies).

24. Toronto Raptors (6-15)

Last ranking: 26
In the last week: W at NO, L at MIA, W vs. MIA
Offensive rating: 111.9 (19th)
Defensive rating: 115.6 (23rd)

New face: Davion Mitchell

Injuries have been a real issue for Toronto this season, so the only Raptors who have played more than former Kings lottery pick Mitchell are center Jakob Poeltl, forward Ochai Agbaji and forward RJ Barrett. Mitchell is averaging a career-best 5.3 assists per game, but he is a traditional point guard in the worst sense; that is, he is a small guard who can’t score (career-low 39.9 percent field goals) or shoot (career-low 27.9 percent 3s). Defensively, Mitchell has continued to be a difference-maker, if not necessarily a playmaker.

25. Portland Trail Blazers (8-13)

Last ranking: 25
In the last week: L at IND, W vs. SAC, L vs. DAL
Offensive rating: 106.9 (27th)
Defensive rating: 114.3 (21st)

New face: Deni Avdija

Portland traded Malcolm Brogdon, the lottery pick that was used on Bub Carrington, a 2029 first-round pick and two second-round picks to acquire the last four years of Avdija’s de-escalating contract. It hasn’t gone great. Avdija went from a career-best 50.7 percent from the field last season with the Wizards to a career-low 40.6 percent to begin his first season with the Trail Blazers. Simply put, Avdija has gone from a superb finisher to a poor one, with the 3-point shooting regressing to where it was in his first three NBA seasons. While Avdija lost his starting job, he is starting to play better off the bench.

Tier 5: Basement Floor

26. Philadelphia 76ers (4-14)

Last ranking: 28
In the last week: L vs. HOU, W at DET
Offensive rating: 105.8 (28th)
Defensive rating: 112.9 (15th)

New face: Paul George

George has alternated playing and not playing, appearing in only half of Philadelphia’s games so far and reaching 30 minutes in only five games. To say that George’s season has been a mess is an understatement, as he is only shooting 37.8 percent from the field and 28.6 percent from 3. The 76ers are using him in a variety of ways, and George’s playmaking has been helpful, as he has averaged 4.8 assists per game. The question is just whether George can put multiple weeks of games together while showing that his efficiency as a scorer isn’t cooked.

27. Charlotte Hornets (6-14)

Last ranking: 24
In the last week: L vs. MIA, L vs. NY, L vs. ATL
Offensive rating: 108.8 (25th)
Defensive rating: 113.5 (16th)

New face: Josh Green

Green has held down a starting role at small forward next to Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges. On one hand, Green’s 3-point shooting has been even better than it usually is, with the career 37.5 percent 3-point shooter making 49.2 percent of his 3.3 attempts per game to begin this season. On the other hand, Green hasn’t made much of an impact at all for Charlotte, struggling to finish in the paint on his limited attempts inside while averaging more fouls (2.8) than rebounds (2.4).

28. Utah Jazz (4-16)

Last ranking: 27
In the last week: L vs. SA, L vs. DEN, L vs. DAL, L vs. LAL
Offensive rating: 108.7 (26th)
Defensive rating: 118.1 (29th)

New face: Cody Williams

Williams was the highest pick of Utah’s three selections in the 2024 draft, but the rookie wing is off to a tough start. After starting seven of the first 10 games, Williams played six games off of the bench, averaging only 1.8 points per game on 28.6 percent shooting from the field in those games. Over the last week, he has been in the G League. Williams is the lottery pick, but Utah’s other picks haven’t gotten off to the best starts either. Late first-round point guard Isaiah Collier is shooting 31.4 percent from the field, while second-rounder Kyle Filipowski has missed five straight games with a leg injury.

29. New Orleans Pelicans (4-18)

Last ranking: 29
In the last week: L vs. TOR, L at MEM, L at NY, L at ATL
Offensive rating: 105.0 (29th)
Defensive rating: 118.0 (28th)

New face: Dejounte Murray

An absolute catastrophe. The run of bad luck in Louisiana did not begin or end with Murray fracturing his hand, but his return has done nothing to suggest that the Pelicans are going to turn things around anytime soon. New Orleans has lost 15 of 16 games, and Murray’s return has resulted in four straight losses by double digits. The most damning was Monday night in Atlanta, when Murray missed 13 of 15 shots in his reunion game. None of the last four games have come with Brandon Ingram playing, but CJ McCollum is back as well, and his presence still didn’t improve Murray’s 27.2 percent mark from the field. Willie Green once took the Pelicans from an 18-32 start to the final playoff spot, but this team has been much worse than that 2021-22 team ever was.

30. Washington Wizards (2-16)

Last ranking: 30
In the last week: L vs. CHI, L vs. LAC, L at MIL
Offensive rating: 104.8 (30th)
Defensive rating: 118.9 (30th)

New face: Alex Sarr

Sarr, the second pick in the 2024 draft and the first big selected, has been the only Wizard to start every game so far. Fifteen of Sarr’s starts have been at center, with three starts next to veteran free-agent acquisition Jonas Valančiūnas. Sarr has flashed some of the tools that made him a highly coveted prospect, and only seven players have blocked more total shots than Sarr (33). But outside of shooting a jumper, Sarr has few ways to consistently win right now, especially on offense, where he is making only 37.6 percent of his shots from the field. Out of 74 top-three picks drafted in the lottery era (since 1985) to attempt at least 10 shots per game and play 25 minutes per game, only Lonzo Ball (36 percent) had a lower field-goal percentage as a rookie.

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(Top photo of Taurean Prince: Stacy Revere / Getty Images)

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