NBA Power Rankings: Grizzlies rise, Rockets fall and a trade candidate for every team

The Athletic has live coverage of the 2025 NBA trade deadline. 

It’s Power Rankings time, and if this weekend showed anything, photoshop is unlimited!

For this week’s edition, we’re going to give each team a trade candidate who would be a dream fit for what they need either now or when they want to start playing serious basketball again (i.e., next season for some of these teams). Not every team is the Los Angeles Lakers, so I will have to keep these somewhat reasonable. I’m sure you’ll understand.

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 15 of The Athletic’s NBA Power Rankings. Win/loss records are through Monday’s games; statistics are through Monday.

Tier 1: Top Contenders

1. Oklahoma City Thunder (39-9)

Last ranking: 1
In the last week: L at GS, W vs. SAC, W vs. MIL
Offensive rating: 116.5 (sixth)
Defensive rating: 103.9 (first)

Trade Deadline Photoshop: SF Brandon Ingram

We know Ingram can’t beat the Thunder based on the last two postseasons. But if there was ever a world in which Oklahoma City could acquire the Slenderman, it would give the Thunder a shot creator and scorer with length. I don’t see Oklahoma City realistically making a big move given where the team is now and the draft picks it has for years to come. But if there is a weakness for the Thunder, it is the need for more non-Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on-ball juice, even with the emergence of Jalen Williams to All-Star status.

2. Cleveland Cavaliers (40-9)

Last ranking: 2
In the last week: W at MIA, W vs. ATL, W vs. DAL
Offensive rating: 121.9 (first)
Defensive rating: 111.4 (eighth)

Trade Deadline Photoshop: PF Bobby Portis

The only concern with the Cavaliers is if anything happens to All-Star power forward Evan Mobley or starting center Jarrett Allen. Cleveland always has a solid big man on the floor, and the Mobley-Allen duo gives teams fits on both ends, especially with Mobley encouraged to do even more damage under coach Kenny Atkinson. But Portis would give Cleveland some interior insurance while fitting in as a strong shooter on a team full of them.

3. Boston Celtics (35-15)

Last ranking: 4
In the last week: W vs. CHI, W at NO, W at PHI
Offensive rating: 118.6 (third)
Defensive rating: 109.7 (fifth)

Trade Deadline Photoshop: PG Bones Hyland

The Celtics had a solid week, winning a blowout, a game-winner and a significant comeback. They’re the defending champions and a team that doesn’t need much. I wonder if they would be interested in a player like Hyland, who has deep 3-point range and is capable of creating turnovers despite coaches being wary of his defense overall. Both Hyland and current Celtics guard Jaden Springer are 2021 first-round picks at the end of their contracts, and as much as I like Springer’s defense, he seems to be the bizarro-world version of Hyland in terms of Springer’s untrustworthy offense.

4. Memphis Grizzlies (34-16)

Last ranking: 6
In the last week: W vs. HOU, W at MIL, W vs. SA
Offensive rating: 117.8 (fifth)
Defensive rating: 110.6 (seventh)

Trade Deadline Photoshop: SF Jimmy Butler

Butler might not want this, but let’s discuss it. Memphis has done a solid job of getting through regular seasons, with the exception of last year’s disaster. The Grizzlies have a lot of cheap talent, and Butler could be a playoff riser for this team who is capable of defending smartly, something Memphis doesn’t always do. There’s a way for the Grizzlies to make this move without even trading a current starter.

5. New York Knicks (33-17)

Last ranking: 5
In the last week: W vs. DEN, L vs. LAL, W vs. HOU
Offensive rating: 119.6 (second)
Defensive rating: 113.1 (13th)

Trade Deadline Photoshop: SF Terance Mann

The Knicks have more than enough offense, but they could use another wing defender, especially with how comfortable opposing shooters are against them. Mann has East Coast ties and would also be solid insurance for Josh Hart. It is more likely that New York will be content to just get what it can from Mitchell Robinson, if he is ever cleared to return.

Tier 2: In a Good Place

6. Houston Rockets (32-17)

Last ranking: 3
In the last week: W at ATL, L at MEM, L vs. BRK, L at NY
Offensive rating: 114.2 (10th)
Defensive rating: 109.0 (fourth)

Trade Deadline Photoshop: SG Luke Kennard

I keep trying to tell you all that this is my show, humbly speaking. I had Cleveland fans telling me to bump the Rockets over them. Ye of little faith. I will make the executive decisions, and at least I’m not apologizing for not jinxing the Rockets after a rough week and getting Ime Udoka to call them soft again. But I will say the Rockets have needed shooting all season, and Kennard would be a steal.

7. Denver Nuggets (31-19)

Last ranking: 7
In the last week: L at NY, W at PHI, W at CHA, W vs. NO
Offensive rating: 118.4 (fourth)
Defensive rating: 114.1 (20th)

Trade Deadline Photoshop: SG Jaden Springer

The Nuggets don’t have much to offer to improve this team unless they part with either Michael Porter Jr. or Aaron Gordon, things that shouldn’t happen now. Springer would get a chance in Denver as a defense-first guard on a team that doesn’t do a great job of consistently pressuring the ball, especially when promoted starter Russell Westbrook is off the floor.

8. Indiana Pacers (28-20)

Last ranking: 9
In the last week: W vs. DET, W vs. ATL, W at UTA
Offensive rating: 114.7 (ninth)
Defensive rating: 113.9 (19th)

Trade Deadline Photoshop: SF Jae’Sean Tate

The Pacers continue to play solid basketball, winning 13 of their last 16 games. They more or less ran their Eastern Conference finals team back, and they have already made a trade this season, acquiring backup center Thomas Bryant after Achilles tendon tears to James Wiseman and Isaiah Jackson. Tate would simply offer another defender option for the bench.

Tier 3: The Bubble

9. Los Angeles Lakers (28-19)

Last ranking: 11
In the last week: L at PHI, W at WAS, W at NY
Offensive rating: 113.9 (12th)
Defensive rating: 114.1 (21st)

Trade Deadline Photoshop: C Nic Claxton

The Lakers already made one trade with the Brooklyn Nets, acquiring Dorian Finney-Smith back when Anthony Davis was still a part of their program. Now that Davis’ departure leaves a gaping hole in the middle, it behooves the Lakers to find a legitimate lob threat who can play 25-30 minutes and rebound. Claxton may be the best of those options. Los Angeles was already a poor rebounding team with Davis, so it’s going to need help there.

10. LA Clippers (28-21)

Last ranking: 10
In the last week: W at SA, W at CHA, L at TOR
Offensive rating: 111.2 (20th)
Defensive rating: 107.8 (second)

Trade Deadline Photoshop: PG Malcolm Brogdon

Should the Clippers be trying to trade for a $20 million player like Brogdon? Absolutely not. But the Clippers are buyout candidate players, and if Brogdon gets let go by the Washington Wizards one way or another, I’d expect LA to pounce. Brogdon offers positional size at either backcourt spot, has enough left at age 32 and was almost traded to the Clippers in the 2023 offseason before the Celtics booted them from the deal. Brogdon is also a former Sixth Man of the Year award winner, and we know the Clippers have an affinity for those players. LA’s ballhandling situation outside of James Harden has been a bit of a car wreck this season, and if Brogdon is healthy (look at Washington winning back-to-back games as soon as he came back), he would improve the second unit right away.

11. Sacramento Kings (25-24)

Last ranking: 13
In the last week: L at PHI, L at OKC, W at MIN
Offensive rating: 115.3 (seventh)
Defensive rating: 113.8 (18th)

Trade Deadline Photoshop: SG Lonzo Ball

Sacramento got DeMar DeRozan this offseason. The Kings just acquired Zach LaVine. These things come in threes — properly reunite the Fall 2021 Pac-12 Chicago Bulls! The only way Ball makes his way back West is if he is bought out. But Ball would give the Kings a 3-and-D connector at 6-foot-6. The Kings allow the most 3s in the league, and at the very least, they could use another defender to help out Keon Ellis and rookie Devin Carter.

12. Minnesota Timberwolves (27-23)

Last ranking: 12
In the last week: W at PHO, W at UTA, L vs. WAS, L vs. SAC
Offensive rating: 113.3 (14th)
Defensive rating: 110.2 (sixth)

Trade Deadline Photoshop: PG Vasilije Micić

The Timberwolves have a severely restrictive cap situation. Someone like Ben Simmons could help the Timberwolves in a Kyle Anderson-type of role, but Minnesota would not be able to execute a transaction that would land him in the buyout market. Micić would not be an exciting addition, but Minnesota needs to add another capable ballhandler, especially if Chris Finch won’t commit to Rob Dillingham in his rookie season.

13. Milwaukee Bucks (26-22)

Last ranking: 8
In the last week: L at POR, L at SA, L vs. MEM, L at OKC
Offensive rating: 113.7 (13th)
Defensive rating: 112.3 (11th)

Trade Deadline Photoshop: C Robert Williams III

The Bucks badly need not just another playable big man, but one who can defend and rebound. The Bucks punt the offensive glass, but Williams could help Milwaukee’s second unit on both ends. Milwaukee needs to make some kind of move as it struggles through a stretch where the only team it beat in the last 12 days was the Utah Jazz.

14. Miami Heat (24-23)

Last ranking: 14
In the last week: L vs. CLE, W at SA
Offensive rating: 111.8 (18th)
Defensive rating: 111.8 (10th)

Trade Deadline Photoshop: PF John Collins

It is almost impossible to think that Pat Riley would make a move with Danny Ainge, but bear with me. The Heat are starting rookie Kel’el Ware next to Bam Adebayo now, and Kevin Love is more likely to show up on Instagram than in the second quarter. Collins would be a welcome addition to Miami’s second unit, with enough of a skill set to complement any of Miami’s big men.

15. Phoenix Suns (25-24)

Last ranking: 16
In the last week: L vs. MIN, W at GS, L at POR, L at POR
Offensive rating: 114.0 (11th)
Defensive rating: 114.9 (23rd)

Trade Deadline Photoshop: PG Dante Exum

Now that Exum is fully recovered from wrist surgery, perhaps he would be an option for Phoenix, a team that currently has two of the same kind of point guard in starter Tyus Jones and little-used reserve Monte Morris. Phoenix is significantly stuck: Devin Booker is its all-time leading scorer, Kevin Durant is an All-Star starter and Bradley Beal has a no-trade clause. The Suns have already made a move to bring in Nick Richards as a starting center to ignore the fact that former starter Jusuf Nurkić  has another year left on his deal despite falling out of favor.

16. Golden State Warriors (25-24)

Last ranking: 19
In the last week: W vs. UTA, W vs. OKC, L vs. PHO, W vs. ORL
Offensive rating: 111.6 (19th)
Defensive rating: 111.8 (9th)

Trade Deadline Photoshop: SG Bradley Beal

Golden State has been trying to get star-level help for months. Beal would actually be a decent fit with the Warriors, as he is better in motion and with offense created for him than he is at creating out of ball screens and isolations. If Beal would waive his no-trade clause for San Francisco, then perhaps it would give him a chance to revitalize his career after being benched by the Suns and taunted by Phoenix fans.

17. Detroit Pistons (25-25)

Last ranking: 18
In the last week: L at IND, W vs. DAL, W vs. CHI, L vs. ATL
Offensive rating: 112.2 (15th)
Defensive rating: 113.1 (14th)

Trade Deadline Photoshop: SG Collin Sexton

Sexton would fit several objectives for Detroit. The Pistons could use another ballhandler to relieve All-Star Cade Cunningham. Sexton is shooting a career-best 41 percent from 3. Jaden Ivey is out indefinitely with a broken leg. And Sexton had Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff earlier in his career.

18. Dallas Mavericks (26-24)

Last ranking: 15
In the last week: W at NO, L at DET, L at CLE
Offensive rating: 114.8 (eighth)
Defensive rating: 112.9 (12th)

Trade Deadline Photoshop: SG Bruce Brown

The Mavericks have already caused enough of a ruckus here, obviously. But Brown could help them as another defender capable of making plays on both ends of the floor.

Tier 4: Not the Tier to Fear

19. San Antonio Spurs (21-26)

Last ranking: 20
In the last week: L vs. LAC, W vs. MIL, L vs. MIA, L at MEM
Offensive rating: 111.9 (16th)
Defensive rating: 113.8 (17th)

Trade Deadline Photoshop: C Jonas Valančiūnas

The Spurs made their big move, securing point guard De’Aaron Fox without having to give up any of their eight 24-minute players. That’s a boon. They could use a backup center, though, if they are willing to part with one of those players. Valančiūnas already backs up a young French big man in Washington, and he’d settle in nicely if he were to make it back to the Southwest Division.

20. Atlanta Hawks (23-27)

Last ranking: 21
In the last week: L vs. HOU, L at CLE, L at IND, W at DET
Offensive rating: 110.6 (23rd)
Defensive rating: 113.6 (16th)

Trade Deadline Photoshop: SF Isaac Okoro

If there is one thing Okoro has improved on in his career, it is his 3-point shooting ability, as he has seen his percentage go up every season since Cleveland made him the fifth pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. Okoro is a Georgia native, and the Hawks are a bottom-10 3-point accuracy team. Getting Okoro would be a homecoming as well as a player who fits Atlanta’s timeline.

21. Portland Trail Blazers (21-29)

Last ranking: 25
In the last week: W vs. MIL, W vs. ORL, W vs. PHO, W vs. PHO
Offensive rating: 110.1 (25th)
Defensive rating: 115.5 (26th)

Trade Deadline Photoshop: PF Zion Williamson

This would be a ridiculous deal, but the Trail Blazers have won eight of nine games. Would they decide they could actually be buyers? Williamson would certainly be a different power forward option than Jerami Grant and would give the Trail Blazers the top picks of both the 2018 and 2019 drafts, pairing Williamson with Deandre Ayton.

22. Orlando Magic (24-27)

Last ranking: 17
In the last week: L at POR, L at UTA, L at GS
Offensive rating: 106.8 (29th)
Defensive rating: 108.6 (third)

Trade Deadline Photoshop: PG Anfernee Simons

The Magic need shooting help in the absolute worst way. Lead forwards Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner have been back together for a couple of weeks now, and they have shown that they can’t improve the rancid shooting on this team. The only game they won in the last three weeks was also the only game Jalen Suggs played, and with all due respect, Suggs shouldn’t be this indispensable. Simons has his flaws, but he can shoot the basketball, and Orlando should be able to hide him on the other end of the floor.

23. Philadelphia 76ers (19-29)

Last ranking: 22
In the last week: W vs. LAL, W vs. SAC, L vs. DEN, L vs. BOS
Offensive rating: 111.2 (21st)
Defensive rating: 114.9 (22nd)

Trade Deadline Photoshop: C Day’Ron Sharpe

It is pitiful that, of all the teams in the league, the Philadelphia 76ers allow the highest field goal percentage. The unavailability of center Joel Embiid has led to the basket being open season for the Sixers defense. Sharpe is a 2025 restricted free agent, but he’s worth a (Philadelphia) flier as a better rim-protection option than what has passed for center play in Embiid’s stead.

24. Chicago Bulls (21-29)

Last ranking: 23
In the last week: L at BOS, W at TOR, L at DET
Offensive rating: 111.8 (17th)
Defensive rating: 115.3 (24th)

Trade Deadline Photoshop: SG Marcus Smart

The Bulls are the worst team in the league at forcing turnovers. If nothing else, Smart would help the Bulls there … if the Bulls are trying to be in the Play-In Tournament this season after trading Zach LaVine. If not, then Smart has the tank combination of poor offense (37.3 percent shooting from the field) and an injury that has kept him off the floor since late December. Smart also is under contract through 2026, so the Bulls can play this game again next year if they so choose.

25. Toronto Raptors (16-33)

Last ranking: 24
In the last week: W at WAS, L vs. CHI, W vs. LAC
Offensive rating: 110.3 (24th)
Defensive rating: 115.3 (25th)

Trade Deadline Photoshop: SF Kenyon Martin Jr.

The Raptors started the season 8-31. Since then, they are 8-2, and their defense has validated their lineups. Martin would fit into how the Raptors want to play and how they have been defending over the last few weeks, if he is healthy. And if the Raptors need to go the other way, then Martin is an expiring contract who has been out since Christmas.

Tier 5: Basement Floor

26. Brooklyn Nets (16-33)

Last ranking: 28
In the last week: W at CHA, W at HOU
Offensive rating: 108.8 (27th)
Defensive rating: 115.6 (27th)

Trade Deadline Photoshop: SG Jordan Clarkson

Who knows what the state of Brooklyn’s point guard situation will be after this trade deadline? Between D’Angelo Russell and Ben Simmons, the Nets may decide to part ways with or keep both given that their contracts are expiring. An intriguing player for them to acquire isn’t a true point guard but certainly a ballhandler. Brooklyn is a direct-handoff offense, and Clarkson would be very comfortable in that system. Clarkson could pair with Cam Thomas (who has played only two games since Thanksgiving) to prop up the Nets on that end of the floor to get them through the season.

27. Utah Jazz (11-37)

Last ranking: 27
In the last week: L at GS, L vs. MIN, W vs. ORL, L vs. IND
Offensive rating: 110.8 (22nd)
Defensive rating: 118.0 (28th)

Trade Deadline Photoshop: PG D’Angelo Russell

The Jazz are in the running for one of the worst turnover margins ever. Russell has an expiring deal, and even with the Jazz attempting to develop young non-lottery point guards Keyonte George and Isaiah Collier, there could be room for Russell to contribute depending on what Utah does with Sexton and Clarkson.

28. Charlotte Hornets (12-35)

Last ranking: 26
In the last week: L vs. BRK, L vs. LAC, L vs. DEN, L vs. WAS
Offensive rating: 108.1 (28th)
Defensive rating: 113.2 (15th)

Trade Deadline Photoshop: PF Sandro Mamukelashvili

The Hornets are dead last in field goal percentage, but a lot of that is because of the lack of availability of the centers as well as their high 3-point rate. Charlotte doesn’t have a lot of players capable of understanding what a good shot is, being able to make that shot or having respectable range. Mamukelashvili is a big man under the radar who has 3-point range as well as the ability to finish inside. He is buried on the San Antonio depth chart, so perhaps the Hornets buy low and see what he can do with extended run.

29. New Orleans Pelicans (12-38)

Last ranking: 29
In the last week: L vs. DAL, L vs. BOS, L at DEN
Offensive rating: 109.7 (26th)
Defensive rating: 118.1 (29th)

Trade Deadline Photoshop: PF Santi Aldama

Going back to the Jimmy Butler conundrum: If Memphis can’t get Butler, I wonder if it would be interested in Brandon Ingram. I can see the Grizzlies not being interested because Ingram is midrange-heavy, while Memphis abhors non-paint 2s. But if the Pelicans can persuade Memphis to take on Ingram, then I would imagine Aldama would need to be a part of the return, and that would be helpful to the Pelicans. Aldama is a sharp player who makes the right play, has 3-point range and rebounds at a high level — something New Orleans is terrible at.

30. Washington Wizards (8-41)

Last ranking: 30
In the last week: L vs. TOR, L vs. LAL, W at MIN, W at CHA
Offensive rating: 104.5 (30th)
Defensive rating: 118.3 (30th)

Trade Deadline Photoshop: PG Dalano Banton

Banton is on a minimum contract, but he is the type of player the Wizards seek to collect: long, skilled and versatile. The Wizards have issues with shooting and creating plays defensively. Banton has improved enough to offer both, and he could be an interesting part of the rebuild in Washington going forward. Obviously, Washington’s priority should be to get off as many veteran contracts as possible.

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(Top photo of Memphis’ Jaren Jackson Jr.:  Justin Ford / Getty Images)