With the regular season over, 14 teams find themselves out of the playoffs and lefts
Previous Rankings: 3/31
The regular season is over, and 14 teams have little to look forward to until the draft lottery on May 17th.
Since this is the final edition of the Powerless Rankings this season, these final rankings will be based upon the 14 teams in the NBA that finished below the playoff line.
1. | Minnesota Timberwolves | (16-66) Previous Ranking: 2 (-1)
The Timberwolves finish with the league’s worst record, and will have the best odds of winning the lottery. It would quite the outcome if they were to land the #1 pick a year after trading for last season’s #1 pick Andrew Wiggins.
2. | New York Knicks | (17-65) Previous Ranking: 1 (+1)
Late season heroics saw them avoid the worst record of the league while slashing their odds at the top pick. Sounds like the most appropriate way for the Knicks’ season to end.
3. | Philadelphia 76ers | (18-64) Previous Ranking: 3 (-)
No one has been more public about their rebuilding strategy, but the 76ers competed well for a team devoid of legitimate NBA talent. Even if Embiid is healthy enough to play, and Dario Saric comes over from Europe, expect this team to be finishing in the lottery again next season, barring some extreme circumstance.
4. | Los Angeles Lakers | (21-61) Previous Ranking: 5 (-1)
The Lakers aren’t very good, but the emergence of Jordan Clarkson was a bright spot. They expect to attract at least one max player this offseason, and could a top five draft pick. They’ll certainly be better if they land both, but the playoffs will likely still be out of reach in the West.
5. | Orlando Magic | (25-57) Previous Ranking: 4 (+1)
Orlando was supposed to take a step forward this season, but instead, regressed, forcing the team to fire head coach Jacque Vaughn midseason. It’s important they get this year’s draft pick right.
6. | Sacramento Kings | (29-53) Previous Ranking: 6 (-)
The Kings sadly did not reach 30 wins, therefore #30WinsForSacTown is dead, and I am now dead inside.
7. | Denver Nuggets | (30-52) Previous Ranking: 8 (-1)
This team needs a new direction, even if it means tearing it all down. A good first step is the coaching names linked with Denver, which for the most part, looks very promising.
8. | Detroit Pistons | (32-50) Previous Ranking: 7 (+1)
Stan Van Gundy wasn’t able to turn it around, even after trading Josh Smith. With the offseason looming, what will come of Greg Monroe? Also, what will the team do with logjam at point guard, with Brandon Jennings and Reggie Jackson both vying for the starting spot. Lots of questions for the Pistons to answer this summer.
9. | Charlotte Hornets | (33-49) Previous Ranking: 9 (-)
In what could be remembered as the most disappointing season in franchise history, the Hornets took a step back after last season’s playoff berth. A good offseason could change their fortunes again, but they’ll need to improve their perimeter scoring, and their best players (Al Jefferson, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist) will need to stay healthy.
10. | Miami Heat | (37-45) Previous Ranking: NR
Losing Lebron James was bad enough — losing Chris Bosh due to blood clots was even worse. Playing the what-if game is a hole I don’t want to fall down, but Bosh would have made a significant difference if he remained healthy. The good news is, Goran Dragic appears set on returning. With a healthy Bosh (and overall roster) the Heat should be better next season.
11. | Utah Jazz | (38-44) Previous Ranking: 11 (-)
The Jazz were one of the best team’s after the All-Star Break, and ride a ton of momentum into next season as a team on the rise.
12. | Indiana Pacers | (38-44) Previous Ranking: 10 (+2)
It came down to one game, but Paul George’s leg injury against the Memphis Grizzles Wednesday night capped off the Pacers season very accurately.
13. | Phoenix Suns | (39-43) Previous Ranking: NR
Phoenix found themselves in a no win situation being forced to trade Dragic, and they struggled after he left. Hopefully, the Suns momentum from last season hasn’t left them.
14. | Oklahoma City Thunder | (45-37) Previous Ranking: NR
They didn’t play well enough down the stretch, and find themselves out of the playoffs. If Durant comes back and healthy next season, the Thunder won’t be in this position again.
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