Week 17 NBA power rankings: 10 best and 10 worst teams heading into the 2025 NBA All-Star Game

There are always bottom-feeders in every major league and the NBA is no different. Several bad teams from last season are still among the worst squads in 2024-25. However, as we near the All-Star break, there have been some unexpected additions to the 10 worst NBA teams right now — ranked from bad to worse.

The Portland Trail Blazers have a roster that should be able to contend for a play-in spot this season. However, the first few months of the season were rough for Chauncey Billups and his team. They had no player that even sniffed an All-Star game invite or talents other teams are kicking down the door to trade for.

Nevertheless, they have played better heading into February. Winning six straight recently, including victories over the Bucks and Pacers. If their recent play is real, they may have an outside chance at the last play-in spot this season.

The Philadelphia 76ers have been one of the biggest disappointments in the NBA over the first half as injuries and in-fighting have severely hindered this group’s potential. Despite having a trio of All-Star-level scorers, the 76ers offense has been mediocre at best this year (109.5 PPG). While their defense has been good this season, it has not been enough to get them back to relevancy. If the season ended today they would miss the playoffs. Plus, recent news that Joel Embiid’s knees might need more surgery in the offseason is the cherry on top of what has been an awful season in Philly.

Related: Daryl Morey doubles down on Joel Embiid as Philadelphia 76ers’ future despite injury-plagued career

The San Antonio Spurs have been much better than they were last season. With the help of NBA league legend Chris Paul, the team was above .500 for much of the season. However, they started to struggle in January, and the absence of head coach Gregg Popovich has surely had an effect. But now things are looking up for the rest of the season.

Just days before the trade deadline the Spurs completed a deal that landed them one-time All-Star De’Aaron Fox. It finally brings the team another legitimate star and takes a lot of pressure off Wembanyama. Which should only make him better and the team more formidable in the second half.

Related: 2025 NBA Draft order – Latest NBA Draft lottery odds, NBA draft picks by team

Over the first couple of months, the Toronto Raptors were a solid group on the offensive side of the ball. However, in December and for much of January they slipped into mediocrity even with talented scorer Immanuel Quickley back from injury. But things could be looking up in the weeks ahead.

Before the trade deadline, they made a big deal to land talented scorer Brandon Ingram from the Pelicans. It is up to head coach Darko Rajaković to make it all work but on paper, the Raptors have a team that could go on a run and get a playoff spot this season.

Also Read: 10 shortest NBA players ever, including the shortest basketball player in the league today

This was always expected to be a heavy rebuild year for the Brooklyn Nets. After some competitive play to begin the year, an extended slump was all the organization needed to go into full-on sell mode and trade off a couple of their better veteran players. While they actually still have an outside shot of landing a play-in spot this season, the teams in front of them are deeper and more talented.

The Bulls have been a Jekyll and Hyde team. On offense, they were one of the league’s best and a headache for opponents. But on defense, only the Wizards have been worse. One can only imagine where they might have been if they were just a middle-of-the-road team on defense. But, it doesn’t matter now because the front office threw up the white flag on the season when they traded Zach LaVine before the trade deadline.

The big question is will this team look to over-achieve and try for a play-in spot the rest of the way or mirror the energy of team executives in the second half?

While LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller have put up some pretty good numbers this season, it has not made the Charlotte Hornets a competitive team. Despite the strong play from their backcourt, the Hornets have one of the worst records in the NBA. While they are a solid defensive team (giving up 112.0 opponent’s PPG), they are near the bottom of the league in points per game (106.6) despite having a pair of 20-plus-point scorers.

LaMelo Ball earning a spot in the All-Star game would have been a highlight of Charlotte’s first half. However, he was snubbed this year, adding to Hornets fans’ suffering this season.

Also Read: NBA Rookie of the Year 2024-25 – Zach Edey and Reed Sheppard lead crowded pack

It has been a rough season for New Orleans Pelicans fans. They were ravaged by injuries to many of their best players over the first couple of months. And they are now just starting to get close to full health heading into February. With Zion Williamson finally back, they are showing signs of life and a potential turnaround.

However, the day before the trade deadline they finally were able to pull off a long-rumored Brandon Ingram trade. In return, they landed role players Bruce Brown Jr., Kelly Olynyk, and draft picks. With Ingram gone and Dejounte Murray suffering a season-ending injury, the Pelicans may not be able to dig out of the massive hole they created for themselves.

In year three as head coach, Will Hardy and his team have taken another step back. And despite getting a massive contract extension in the summer, top star Lauri Markkanen has seemingly regressed further in his third season in Salt Lake City. The Jazz had the assets to make some impact trades before this year’s deadline. However, they once again stood pat and seem fine tanking their way to a chance at Cooper Flagg this spring.

Related: Winners, Losers from NBA Trade Deadline 2025: Lakers, Spurs, Mavericks shape historic week

Even with new head coach Brian Keefe, the Washington Wizards remain one of the league’s worst teams. They have an atrocious defense and have also struggled for much of the season to put points on the board. Trade rumors swirled around the team for much of the season and the chatter became reality just days before the deadline.

In a pair of deals, the Wiz shipped out both Jonas Valanciunas and Kyle Kuzma to teams with playoff aspirations. The most notable return in the deal is Bucks veteran Khris Middleton. Washington guaranteed they’ll have the worst record in the NBA this season before the deadline.

Also Read: Who is the oldest NBA player? (All-time and active)

Now for the 10 best teams in the NBA right now. This group features several teams fans would expect. However, some new brands have returned to prominence after difficult seasons last year. Including the Memphis Grizzlies and Houston Rockets.

Also Read: NBA playoffs predictions for the 2024-25 season, including who will win it all next spring

Los Angeles Clippers head coach Ty Lue continues to show why he is one of the best in his field. Despite being without top star Kawhi Leonard for much of the first half due to injury, the team played far better than anyone expected. With the multi-time champion back on the court, LA has a massive upside in the weeks ahead, especially with a top-three defense. On the buyout market, they added Ben Simmons to bolster their bench and defense for the stretch run.

Related: Los Angeles Clippers sign 3x All-Star on NBA buyout market

The Indiana Pacers had their fanbase very concerned over the first couple of months of the season. While they were never expected to be a defensive juggernaut, the regression of their offense and the poor play of top star Tyrese Haliburton confused many. However, things have turned around in a major way over the last month and the team looks like the team we expected all along.

Their offense is playing like a top 10 unit again as it has helped them rise back into a top-four spot in the East.

Also Read: NBA standings – Get a look at the latest win-loss record for all 30 NBA teams

The Houston Rockets have been one of the best stories in the NBA this season. After showing some very nice growth under Ime Udoka last season, they have continued that momentum and evolved into an elite team in the West. Aleperen Sengun’s breakout 2023-24 season was no fluke as he has earned All-Star honors this year. Along with talented teammate Jalen Green and a very good defense, the Rockets are legit and a problem out West.

The expectations for the Los Angeles Lakers this season were not high. That’s what comes with having a new head coach without experience at any level. However, they have gotten better as the season has gone along. Yet just days before the trade deadline, they completed one of the most surprising trades in NBA history when they shipped out Anthony Davis in a multi-team deal that will get them Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic.

The MVP candidate from last season joins a team that has been red-hot going into the All-Star break. It will be interesting to see how quickly Doncic and James can gel their styles and remain a top-four team in the West.

Also Read: Los Angeles Lakers game today – Get time and channel for the next Lakers game

When you have the best player on the planet, Nikola Jokic, the Denver Nuggets will always be a very competitive squad. Yet, over the first couple of months, the team struggled, and it led to rumors about key members of their championship team being moved. However, over the last month, has played very well and is closing in on the two seed in the West.

Never doubt a team led by the “Dad Bod God” Nikola Jokic.

The Memphis Grizzles were expected to be far better this season with superstar Ja Morant back. So far, the results have been very good. With their superstar back they are the best-scoring team in the league (123.5 PPG) and own one of the best records in not just the West but the whole NBA. While they were linked to a potential trade before the deadline, Memphis kept the status quo with the roster they have.

The New York Knicks have been a surprisingly dominant offensive force this season. Their starting five, which includes Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Mikal Bridges, have gelled faster on the offensive side than many NBA pundits expected. However, they still have a ways to go on defense. And that weakness showed in a rough start to January.

However, as they reach the All-Star break they have again caught fire and scored big wins over the Kings, Grizzlies, and Rockets recently.

Also Read: New York Knicks game today – Get time and channel for the next Knicks game

The defending champion Boston Celtics don’t have the best record in the NBA. However, the regular season feels like a dress rehearsal for the spring. The team has played very well and is again one of the best teams in the game. But it feels like head coach Joe Mazzula is doing everything he can to make sure his team stays healthy and peaks as we get closer to the postseason later this year.

Also Read: Boston Celtics game today – Get details on the next Celtics game

The Cleveland Cavaliers have been outstanding this season under new head coach Kenny Atkinson. While they are still rock solid on defense, he has helped elevate their offense to new heights and they are among the best in the NBA right now (122.5 PPG). They are deep and play with a lot of effort. There is no reason to believe they won’t be a top-five team in the league for the rest of the season.

Before the trade deadline, Cleveland added to their impressive depth with a surprise trade for Hawks forward De’Andre Hunter. Giving Atkinson another nice weapon on offense.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have twice been hit by huge injuries this season. However, they have endured and remained one of the best squads in the NBA. Their defense is the best in the game (104.8 points against per game) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams have felt like a new-age Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. Now, they are fully healthy and the team with the league’s best record can really show just how scary they can be this season.

Related: Highest paid NBA players right now – Running down the 20 best paid in 2024-25