NBA POWER RANKINGS: Where all 30 teams stand going into training camp
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
2014 record: 53-29, 2nd in East
Key additions: Mo Williams, Richard Jefferson
Key losses: none
One thing to know: The Cavs also brought back their whole core from last season. Tristan Thompson will be back eventually, too, but his ongoing standoff with the Cavs is still a concern for the overall team atmosphere.
3. San Antonio Spurs
2014 record: 55-27, 6th in West
Key additions: LaMarcus Aldridge, David West, Ray McCallum Jr.
Key losses: Tiago Splitter, Cory Joseph, Aron Baynes
One thing to know: The Spurs nabbed the biggest free agent of the summer and built a juggernaut for what could be Tim Duncan's last hurrah. Age and durability are legitimate concerns for this group, however.
4. Los Angeles Clippers
2014 record: 56-26, 3rd in West
Key additions: Josh Smith, Paul Pierce, Lance Stephenson, Cole Aldrich
Key losses: Matt Barnes, Spencer Hawes
One thing to know: Despite the DeAndre Jordan free agency drama, the Clippers fixed their biggest weakness and added much needed depth and talent.
5. Houston Rockets
2014 record: 56-26, 2nd in West
Key additions: Ty Lawson, Marcus Thornton, Sam Dekker
Key losses: Josh Smith
One thing to know: The addition for Ty Lawson could take a ton of pressure off James Harden to run the show on offense.
6. Oklahoma City Thunder
2014 record: 45-37, 9th in West
Key additions: Billy Donovan (coach)
Key losses: none
One thing to know: The Thunder retained the same roster they built through trades last year, in hopes that with some health luck from Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and Serge Ibaka, they can contend in the West again.
7. Chicago Bulls
2014 record: 50-32, 3rd in East
Key additions: Fred Hoiberg (coach)
Key losses: none
One thing to know: The Bulls fired Tom Thibodeau and hired Fred Hoiberg. They're betting a coaching change and a little bit of luck is all that's needed to contend in the weak East.
8. Memphis Grizzlies
2014 record: 55-27, 5th in West
Key additions: Brandan Wright, Matt Barnes
Key losses: Kosta Koufos
One thing to know: In a stacked Western Conference, the Grizzlies still seem a notch below the top contenders.
9. Miami Heat
2014 record: 37-45, 10th in East
Key additions: Justise Winslow, Amar'e Stoudemire, Gerald Green
Key losses: Shabazz Napier
One thing to know: The Heat re-signed Goran Dragic and Dwyane Wade, stole Justise Winslow in the draft, added some much-needed depth, and will get Chris Bosh back this year. On paper, they have one of the most intriguing rosters in the league.
10. Atlanta Hawks
2014 record: 60-22
Key additions: Tiago Splitter, Tim Hardaway Jr.
Key losses: DeMarre Carroll
One thing to know: The Hawks were two different teams last year: defensive juggernauts with a pass-happy, Spurs-like offense, and then a slightly above-average team on both ends that got rocked by the Cavs in the Finals. After losing their best perimeter defender in Carroll, which team will we see this year?
11. Washington Wizards
2014 record: 46-36, 5th in East
Key additions: Jared Dudley, Alan Anderson, Gary Neal
Key losses: Paul Pierce
One thing to know: The Wizards gave into the small-ball movement in the playoffs and it worked. It looks like their offseason moves were geared toward continuing that strategy.
12. New Orleans Pelicans
2014 record: 45-37, 8th in West
Key additions: Alvin Gentry (coach)
Key losses: none
One thing to know: The Pelicans hired Alvin Gentry, the engineer behind the Warriors offense last year, to bring Anthony Davis and Co. to the next level.
13. Phoenix Suns
2014 record: 39-43, 10th in West
Key additions: Tyson Chandler, Mirza Teletovic, Devin Booker
Key losses: Marcus Morris, Gerald Green
One thing to know: The Suns got a talent boost this offseason, but face a current dilemma with Markieff Morris demanding out.
14. Toronto Raptors
2014 record: 49-33, 4th in East
Key additions: DeMarre Carroll, Cory Joseph, Bismack Biyombo, Luis Scola, Aron Baynes
Key losses: Lou Williams, Amir Johnson, Greivis Vasquez
One thing to know: After flaming out of the playoffs in four games, did the Raptors tinker enough with the edges to get that much better?
15. Milwaukee Bucks
2014 record: 41-41, 6th in East
Key additions: Greg Monroe, Grievis Vasquez, Chris Copeland
Key losses: Ersan Ilyasova
One thing to know: The Bucks added a big-name free agent in Greg Monroe, and are hoping for further internal development from the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Jabari Parker.
16. Utah Jazz
2014 record: 38-44, 11th in West
Key additions: Trey Lyles
Key losses: none
One thing to know: The Jazz were one of the best teams in the Western Conference after the All-Star break, ranking first in defensive efficiency over the final two months. Like the Bucks, they're hoping for more internal improvement from young, promising core.
17. Boston Celtics
2014 record: 40-42, 7th in East
Key additions: David Lee, Amir Johnson
Key losses: Brandon Bass
One thing to know: The Celtics have a roster busting with role players and trade assets, but Brad Stevens proved last year he can turn them into a competitive playoff team.
18. Dallas Mavericks
2014 record: 50-32, 7th in West
Key additions: Wesley Matthews, Deron Williams, Zaza Pachulia
Key losses: Tyson Chandler, Rajon Rondo, Amar'e Stoudemire, Richard Jefferson
One thing to know: The Mavs lost the DeAndre Jordan sweepstakes, overpaid Wes Matthews coming off a torn Achilles, and put together a ramshackle center rotation. Dirk Nowitzki and Rick Carlisle can keep the offense going, but the defense will be rough.
19. Charlotte Hornets
2014 record: 33-49, 11th in East
Key additions: Nicolas Batum, Jeremy Lin, Frank Kaminsky, Spencer Hawes
Key losses: Lance Stephenson, Bismack Biyombo
One thing to know: The Hornets geared their offseason to adding shooting and playmakers to help a sturdy defense. If it all comes together, they'll fight for a playoff spot.
20. New York Knicks
2014 record: 17-65, 15th in East
Key additions: Robin Lopez, Arron Afflalo, Derrick Williams, Kyle O'Quinn, Kristaps Porzingis, Jerian Grant
Key losses: Tim Hardaway Jr., Andrea Bargnani, Shane Larkin, Cole Aldrich, Jason Smith
One thing to know: The Knicks re-tooled in a smart, albeit modest, way this offseason. If Carmelo Anthony is healthy and intriguing rookie Kristaps Porzingis can contribute right away, they could fight for a playoff spot.
21. Indiana Pacers
2014 record: 38-44, 9th in East
Key additions: Monta Ellis, Jordan Hill, Chase Budinger, Myles Turner
Key losses: Roy Hibbert, David West
One thing to know: Even if Paul George isn't thrilled about it, the Pacers are going small, which might be enough to make up for a very shallow front-court.
22. Brooklyn Nets
2014 record: 38-44, 8th in East
Key additions: Andre Bargnani, Shane Larkin, Wayne Ellington
Key losses: Deron Williams, Mason Plumlee
One thing to know: The Nets had a quiet offseason, but still have two All-Stars in Brook Lopez and Joe Johnson, the latter of which is reportedly happy that Deron Williams is gone.
23. Detroit Pistons
2014 record: 32-50, 12th in East
Key additions: Ersan Ilyasova, Marcus Morris, Stanley Johnson
Key losses: Greg Monroe
One thing to know: The Pistons got rid of a front-court jam with Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond, and are building a spread offense that looks like the Orlando Magic did with Stan Van Gundy and Dwight Howard.
24. Orlando Magic
2014 record: 25-57, 13th in East
Key additions: Jason Smith, Shabazz Napier, Mario Hezonja
Key losses: Kyle O'Quinn, Maurice Harkless
One thing to know: The Magic may have an intriguing young core, and are expecting them to compete for a playoff spot this year, but unless someone makes a big leap, they still look like a lottery team.
25. Sacramento Kings
2014 record: 29-53, 13th in West
Key additions: Rajon Rondo, Kosta Koufos, Marco Belinelli, Willie Cauley-Stein
Key losses: Jason Thompson, Nik Stauskas
One thing to know: The Kings aimed high in free agency and came away with some useful scrap-heap players. They look decent on paper, but given the organizational dysfunction, lack of shooting, and brutal Western Conference, they still have a ton of question marks.
26. Los Angeles Lakers
2014 record: 21-61, 14th in West
Key additions: Lou Williams, Roy Hibbert, Brandon Bass, D'Angelo Russell, Metta World Peace!
Key losses: Jeremy Lin, Jordan Hill, Ed Davis
One thing to know: The Lakers added some pieces that should at least make them more competitive this year. Once again, they feel reliant on Kobe Bryant's health and willingness to get others involved.
27. Minnesota Timberwolves
2014 record: 16-66, 15th in West
Key additions: Tayshaun Prince, Andre Miller, Karl Towns, Tyus Jones
Key losses: Chase Budinger
One thing to know: The Wolves have one of the most exciting young cores in the NBA, and combined with some useful veterans, will probably be much better than last year's record.
28. Denver Nuggets
2014 record: 30-52, 12th in West
Key additions: Emmanuel Mudiay, Mike Malone (coach)
Key losses: Ty Lawson
One thing to know: The Nuggets outlook is hazy. Emmanuel Mudiay impressed at Summer League, and Mike Malone is a great players' coach. They also have a roster in transition with no clear path toward getting younger or better.
29. Portland Trail Blazers
2014 record: 51-31
Key additions: Al-Farouq Aminu, Ed Davis, Mason Plumlee, Maurice Harkless, Gerald Handerson, Noah Vonleh
Key losses: LaMarcus Aldridge, Wesley Matthews, Nicolas Batum, Robin Lopez
One thing to know: The Blazers rebounded well after losing 80% of their starting lineup by grabbing young, long, intriguing players, but it might be years before they're competitive again.
30. Philadelphia 76ers
2014 record: 18-64
Key additions: Carl Landry, Nik Stauskas, Kendall Marshall, Jahlil Okafor
Key losses: none
One thing to know: The Sixers surprised people by taking Jahlil Okafor in the draft — essentially as a replacement for Joel Embiid, who's out another year. They're still squarely in rebuilding mode.
Check out how one of the NBA's greatest spends his earnings...
Get your weekly dose of essential news delivered right to you, plus explore a world of insights with our diverse newsletter subscription options.
- Weekly newsletter
- Uncover the latest in Tech, Finance, Business, and more
- Handpicked web stories, in-depth articles, and expert analyses
Advertisement