We have a large enough sample size to assess all of the rotation players in the NBA this season, and we are approaching a point where we know the direction of most teams. That could be a precursor to trade season, but hold on: We are less than a month away from the mid-winter classic that is All-Star Weekend!
I know there are trades you all would like to see, but we can wait a week to discuss that. All-Star voting ended Monday, and for the first time, this Power Rankings host was given a ballot. The coming weeks will see a slow reveal of all the All-Star Weekend participants, with starters set to be announced Thursday night.
I could only select two guards and three frontcourt players in each conference. We have 30 teams we rank every week, so I will share my selections, but to be inclusive, I will propose a representative from every team for All-Star Weekend and open up representation to not only Sunday’s main event but also the Saturday night events (skills challenge, 3-point contest, slam dunk contest) and Rising Stars competition.
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.
Now presenting Week 13 of The Athletic’s NBA Power Rankings. Win/loss records and statistics are through Monday’s games.
Tier 1: Top Contenders
1. Oklahoma City Thunder (35-7)
Last ranking: 2
In the last week: W at PHI, W vs CLE, L at DAL, W vs BRK
Offensive rating: 116.0 (sixth place)
Defensive rating: 103.2 (first place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, starter
Yes, I know the Thunder still have only the second-best record in the NBA and lost in Ohio this month. But did you see what Gilgeous-Alexander did to the Cavaliers on Thursday night?! He put up 40 points through three quarters, and Oklahoma City avenged a relatively close loss by obliterating the Cleveland Cavaliers while playing Jaylin Williams and Branden Carlson at center. And then Gilgeous-Alexander was held out of the loss at Dallas for the MVP narrative.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers (36-6)
Last ranking: 1
In the last week: W at IND, L at OKC, W at MIN, W vs PHO
Offensive rating: 121.1 (first place)
Defensive rating: 111.0 (ninth place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Donovan Mitchell, starter
Mitchell started the All-Star Game two years ago when the game was in Utah, and he is certainly deserving of that honor again as the leading scorer of the most successful team in the league. The question for the Cavaliers will come down to how many All-Stars they get. Evan Mobley, Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen all have reasonable cases.
GO DEEPER
Why Darius Garland has an excellent — and difficult — All-Star case to be made
3. Boston Celtics (30-13)
Last ranking: 3
In the last week: L at TOR, W vs ORL, L vs ATL, W at GS
Offensive rating: 119.1 (third place)
Defensive rating: 109.3 (fifth place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Jayson Tatum, starter
Tatum has had higher scoring seasons, but the eighth-year forward is squarely in his prime and averaging career bests in other categories such as rebounds (9.3) and assists (5.4) while being relied on more than ever. For all the talk about how deep the Celtics are, only 12 players average more touches per game than Tatum’s 82.3, up from 75.8 last season. Tatum should be joined by Jaylen Brown, but Tatum is the clear focal point of what the Celtics do.
4. Houston Rockets (28-14)
Last ranking: 4
In the last week: W at DEN, L at SAC, W at POR, L vs DET
Offensive rating: 113.9 (10th place)
Defensive rating: 107.7 (fourth place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Alperen Şengün, reserve
The Rockets are too good not to have an All-Star, as they have a real shot at passing the Phil Jackson 40-before-20 contender theory. It will be up to the league’s head coaches to select the reserves. Jalen Green has more of an All-Star Game style of play, but I believe Şengün has the clearer pathway to earn a selection.
5. Memphis Grizzlies (28-15)
Last ranking: 5
In the last week: W at SA, W at SA, W vs MIN
Offensive rating: 117.1 (fifth place)
Defensive rating: 109.7 (sixth place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Jaren Jackson Jr., reserve
Similar to Houston, the Grizzlies have a big and a guard who are both worthy of All-Star consideration. I think Jackson has a clearer path toward selection. It helps Jackson that he has played in 41 of 43 games while being Memphis’ most dynamic defender and reaching career-best levels as a scorer. Ja Morant has been good this season, but he has also missed 18 of 43 games.
Tier 2: In a Good Place
6. New York Knicks (28-16)
Last ranking: 6
In the last week: W at PHI, L vs MIN,, W vs ATL
Offensive rating: 119.2 (second place)
Defensive rating: 113.2 (16th place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, All-Star starters
This wasn’t hard. Brunson is averaging a career high in assists, and no other guard on a winning team in the East scores more. Towns is averaging 25.1 points per game, a five-year high and the second-most by a center in the NBA behind Nikola Jokić. New York has the second-best offense in the league, and Brunson and Towns power the efficiency.
GO DEEPER
Knicks’ Josh Hart could do something no NBA player at his height has ever done
7. Denver Nuggets (26-16)
Last ranking: 7
In the last week: W at DAL, L vs HOU, W at MIA, W at ORL
Offensive rating: 117.6 (fourth place)
Defensive rating: 113.0 (15th place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Nikola Jokić, starter
The MVP race is going to be a photo finish. Jokić is averaging a career best in points and assists, clearing 30 points per game for the first time in his career and threatening to average a triple-double for the first time. It helps that his team is good, too. The Nuggets haven’t had consecutive losses all month.
8. Milwaukee Bucks (24-17)
Last ranking: 10
In the last week: W vs SAC, W vs ORL, W vs TOR, W vs PHI
Offensive rating: 113.6 (12th place)
Defensive rating: 110.9 (eighth place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Giannis Antetokounmpo, starter
The Bucks are starting to string wins together again, and they continue to ascend defensively. On the other end of the floor, Antetokounmpo is averaging a career high in points at 30 years old while clearing 60 percent from the field. Antetokounmpo seems like an afterthought in the MVP race, but he is challenging Gilgeous-Alexander for the scoring title while averaging 12.0 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game.
At 30, Giannis Antetokounmpo is having one of his best seasons. (Julio Aguilar / Getty Images)
9. LA Clippers (24-18)
Last ranking: 13
In the last week: W vs BRK, W at POR, W vs LAL, L vs CHI
Offensive rating: 110.6 (22nd place)
Defensive rating: 107.5 (second place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Norman Powell, 3-point contest
The Clippers have had a bottom-10 offense all season, and they’re not going to win any popularity contests, so it’s up to the coaches to select an All-Star. James Harden, Ivica Zubac and Norman Powell are all worthy, but they might cancel out one another. Harden’s efficiency and turnovers hurt his case, but he undoubtedly has made his teammates better. Zubac is anchoring LA’s defense and has been indispensable on both ends of the floor. Powell leads LA in scoring while being one of the very best shooters in the league. At the very least, Powell should be shooting on Saturday night if he’s not playing on Sunday.
GO DEEPER
Out of Lakers’ arena, Clippers finally host crosstown rivals: ‘Felt like home’
10. Indiana Pacers (24-19)
Last ranking: 11
In the last week: L vs CLE, W at DET, W vs PHI
Offensive rating: 114.0 (ninth place)
Defensive rating: 113.6 (20th place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Pascal Siakam, reserve
The Pacers have won nine of their last 11 games, with their only loss in January coming against a Cavaliers team they held to 93 points in Cleveland two nights earlier. Tyrese Haliburton would be the incumbent selection here, but I wonder if the coaches go with Siakam, who is leading Indiana in scoring with sparkling efficiency.
Tier 3: The Bubble
11. Sacramento Kings (22-20)
Last ranking: 17
In the last week: L at MIL, W vs HOU, W vs WAS
Offensive rating: 115.5 (seventh place)
Defensive rating: 112.3 (13th place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Domantas Sabonis, skills challenge
All right, I have no idea who looks forward to the skills challenge, but I can see Sabonis getting snubbed from the All-Star roster despite putting together a remarkable season as the NBA’s leading rebounder. Only Jokić averages more assists as a center, and Sabonis is shooting 48.4 percent from 3 and 60.5 percent from the field. He’s objectively one of the most skilled players in the league, and the Kings are 9-2 under Doug Christie.
12. Los Angeles Lakers (22-18)
Last ranking: 16
In the last week: W vs MIA, W vs BRK, L at LAC
Offensive rating: 112.8 (13th place)
Defensive rating: 115.7 (24th place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Anthony Davis, starter
The Lakers play uninspiring basketball, as evidenced by head coach JJ Redick and LeBron James commenting on their miniscule margin for error. They have won 55 percent of their games but have a bottom-10 point differential despite James and Anthony Davis missing only three games each and playing nearly 35 minutes per game. I selected Davis over James as a starter. Individually, Davis is having the better season as the Lakers’ leading scorer, rebounder and defensive playmaker. The Lakers only get outscored by an average of 1.1 points per game with Davis on the floor, while they get outscored by 3.9 points per game with James on the floor.
GO DEEPER
Lakers need to pick a direction. Are they serious about another championship run or not?
13. Miami Heat (21-20)
Last ranking: 15
In the last week: L at LAL, L vs DEN, W vs SA
Offensive rating: 112.4 (14th place)
Defensive rating: 111.4 (10th place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Tyler Herro, 3-point contest
Jimmy Butler has missed 17 games already while Bam Adebayo’s scoring and shooting have nosedived, so the usual Heat All-Star candidates have little chance of making this year’s event. Herro has a great case while averaging a team-high 24.0 points, 5.0 assists and 3.9 3s. Miami’s record may make things tough, but Herro should be taking his 40.7 percent 3-point accuracy to Saturday night.
14. Dallas Mavericks (23-20)
Last ranking: 8
In the last week: L vs DEN, L at NO, W vs OKC, L at CHA
Offensive rating: 114.7 (eighth place)
Defensive rating: 111.5 (12th place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Kyrie Irving, reserve
Luka Dončić’s injury makes things tricky for Dallas. If the Mavs only get one All-Star, does the spot go to a player in Dončić who is close to missing more games than he has played? Or does it go to Irving, who has missed 10 games himself but putting together a strong season as a shooter? The Mavericks have looked powerful with both guards on the floor, but Irving is starting to wear down a bit, and Dallas has lost 10 of its last 14 games to slide to the middle of the pack in the West.
15. Detroit Pistons (22-21)
Last ranking: 14
In the last week: L vs IND, L vs PHO, W at HOU
Offensive rating: 112.0 (17th place)
Defensive rating: 112.9 (14th place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Cade Cunningham, reserve
Detroit’s last All-Star was Blake Griffin in 2019, but Cunningham has led the Pistons to enough wins to break that streak this season. Only Trae Young and Jokić average more assists than Cunningham, and it may come down to Young and Cunningham for a spot to be determined by the coaches. Cunningham has been the better scorer while the Pistons have won 13 of their last 19 games. Wednesday’s game in Atlanta should be a fun showdown.
16. Minnesota Timberwolves (22-21)
Last ranking: 12
In the last week: L vs GS, W at NY, L vs CLE, L at MEM
Offensive rating: 112.2 (16th place)
Defensive rating: 110.4 (seventh place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Anthony Edwards, starter
The seesaw that is Minnesota’s season continues, as Donte DiVincenzo’s toe injury sounds like one that will cost him several weeks. Mike Conley is back in the starting lineup after Minnesota basically acknowledged that Conley is better suited for a reserve role at this stage. There’s a lot on Edwards’ plate, but he is the league’s premier shooting guard, averaging 26.3 points per game and making 4.2 3s per game at 42.8 percent. Edwards also doesn’t miss games, so he’s my All-Star starter out of the West guards opposite Gilgeous-Alexander.
Anthony Edwards has a lot on his shoulders as he tries to get Minnesota back near the top of the West. (Jordan Johnson / NBAE via Getty Images)
17. Orlando Magic (23-21)
Last ranking: 9
In the last week: L at MIL, L at BOS, L vs DEN
Offensive rating: 107.7 (29th place)
Defensive rating: 107.7 (third place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Tristan da Silva, Rising Stars
Orlando’s offense has gone into the gutter, even with Paolo Banchero’s return from injury. Franz Wagner is missed, and he is at least in the reconditioning phase of his recovery from a torn oblique, but the Magic now have the NBA’s worst non-Washington Wizards offense and have lost nine of their last 13 games. Seven of those losses have come with the Magic being held under 100 points. An All-Star selection is unlikely, but Tristan da Silva has been a solid addition to the defense, if not a spectacular one. He should be rewarded with a spot in the Friday night showcase.
18. Atlanta Hawks (22-20)
Last ranking: 20
In the last week: W vs PHO, W at CHI, W at BOS, L at NY
Offensive rating: 111.7 (18th place)
Defensive rating: 113.6 (19th place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Zaccharie Risacher, Rising Stars
Young is leading the NBA in assists, but it will be interesting to see if the coaches reward him with an All-Star selection; he is usually right on the edge of the table when it comes to his status there. In any case, Risacher should be at All-Star Weekend as the top pick in the 2024 draft. He is currently dealing with an irritated adductor, but the Hawks have made Risacher a starter as he goes through his teenage rookie season.
19. Golden State Warriors (21-21)
Last ranking: 21
In the last week: W at MIN, W vs WAS, L vs BOS
Offensive rating: 111.1 (20th place)
Defensive rating: 111.5 (11th place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Stephen Curry, reserve
Curry did not start in last year’s All-Star Game, and while he has a chance to secure enough votes to start this year, I went in another direction due to Edwards shooting it better for a slightly better team. Curry actually added another great moment against the Timberwolves this week, but Golden State just got beaten by 40 points on its home floor by a Boston team they had a statement win against in November. That 12-3 start continues to look like a mirage.
20. Phoenix Suns (21-21)
Last ranking: 19
In the last week: L at ATL, W at WAS, W at DET, L at CLE
Offensive rating: 113.7 (11th place)
Defensive rating: 115.5 (23rd place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Kevin Durant, All-Star Starter
The Suns are scuffling around .500, but Durant is out here leading all West forwards in scoring in his 18th NBA season, and he’s doing it while shooting 52.2 percent from the field and leading the Suns with 1.4 blocks per game. When Durant doesn’t play, the Suns have a 1-9 record. Phoenix is in trouble if Durant or Devin Booker miss any more extended stretches, but the Suns are relevant in the playoff race if Durant continues to produce like this.
GO DEEPER
Suns at a crossroads: Stalled hopes, Jimmy Butler interest and Bradley Beal’s no-trade clause
Tier 4: Not the Tier to Fear
21. San Antonio Spurs (19-22)
Last ranking: 18
In the last week: L vs MEM, L vs MEM, L at MIA
Offensive rating: 111.6 (19th place)
Defensive rating: 113.3 (18th place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Victor Wembanyama, reserve
San Antonio has lost six of its last seven games, and the Spurs have a thin week as Victor Wembanyama gets to play a miniseries against the Pacers in France. Perhaps the homecoming inspires the Spurs. Wembanyama is a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year, and though there is a lot of competition for bigs in the West, Wembanyama’s extraordinary output should allow him to play in the first of what will be infinite All-Star Games.
22. Chicago Bulls (19-25)
Last ranking: 22
In the last week: L vs NO, L vs ATL, L vs CHA, L at POR, W at LAC
Offensive rating: 112.3 (15th place)
Defensive rating: 115.1 (22nd place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Zach LaVine, 3-point contest
The Bulls just ended a stretch of five games in seven nights with a road win against the Clippers, the only time the Bulls were able to emerge victorious during a stretch that included losses to the Pelicans, Hornets and Trail Blazers. Their win was fueled by a torrid stretch of offense from LaVine, who basically outscored the Clippers by himself in the third quarter before taking a seat. LaVine is shooting career-bests from the field (51.4 percent) and from 3 (45 percent), and while that may not be enough to play at the All-Star Game, he should definitely be invited to shoot 3s in San Francisco as one of the very best volume shooters in the league.
23. Philadelphia 76ers (15-26)
Last ranking: 23
In the last week: L vs OKC, L vs NY, L at IND, L at MIL
Offensive rating: 109.6 (24th place)
Defensive rating: 113.9 (21st place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Ricky Council IV, slam dunk contest
We’re really reaching here, and it should have never gotten to this point. The Sixers were the only NBA team that added a 2024 All-Star to the roster without relinquishing one, signing Paul George away from the Clippers. But George has missed 14 games while seeing his scoring drop under 20 points per game for the first time in a decade. Tyrese Maxey is still scoring at volume, but his efficiency has struggled for a team hurdling toward 50 losses. And Joel Embiid has only played 13 games, which is the root of Philadelphia’s downfall. Even the wins have been losses, as Jared McCain won’t return this season after flashing in his opportunity as a rookie. We’re left with Council hopefully getting a chance to show off his explosiveness.
24. Charlotte Hornets (11-28)
Last ranking: 27
In the last week: W at UTA, W at CHI, W vs DAL
Offensive rating: 108.0 (28th place)
Defensive rating: 113.3 (17th place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Brandon Miller, Rising Stars
After losing 10 straight games, the Hornets have won four of their last five. Could that be enough to slide LaMelo Ball into the All-Star Game? Ball is averaging nearly 30 points per game while ranking in the top 10 in assists, and no one attempts more 3s. The fans are trying to get him in, but it would be a hard sell to the coaches if it’s up to them, especially with the logjam of guards in the East. A surer bet is Miller getting to represent the Hornets in the Rising Stars competition as a sophomore. Miller is second in the NBA in 3-point attempts per game behind Ball, although both could stand to be more efficient inside the arc; Miller makes only 40.3 percent from the field.
Brandon Miller and LaMelo Ball have no issue getting up long-range shots in Charlotte. (Mark J. Rebilas / Imagn Images)
25. New Orleans Pelicans (12-32)
Last ranking: 29
In the last week: W at CHI, W vs DAL, W vs UTA, W vs UTA
Offensive rating: 109.3 (26th place)
Defensive rating: 117.2 (27th place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Yves Missi, Rising Stars
The Pelicans didn’t have an All-Star selection last season despite being a winning team, so they have no shot at getting a player there this year amid an injury-riddled campaign. They do have a bright spot in rookie center Missi, who is fifth in the league in offensive rebounds per game (3.6) while blocking 1.4 shots per game. At the very least, Missi is a building block while the Pelicans figure out what direction they want to take with a veteran roster that has all of a sudden won five of their last six games.
Tier 5: Basement Floor
26. Brooklyn Nets (14-29)
Last ranking: 24
In the last week: W at POR, L at LAC, L at LAL, L at OKC
Offensive rating: 109.5 (25th place)
Defensive rating: 116.7 (25th place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Keon Johnson, slam dunk contest
The Nets have no All-Stars and no rookies, the classic sign of a team in the early stages of a rebuild. They just lost a game by 59 points, a low point in a franchise history that has had some rough moments. Who knows who will be on this team by the middle of February? I’m going to propose that Johnson get a dunk contest invite, though. He set a draft combine record in 2021 by leaping 48 inches, earning him a first-round selection. It’s taken a few years, but Johnson is playing regular minutes now, albeit for a team that is not prioritizing winning in the short term.
27. Portland Trail Blazers (14-28)
Last ranking: 25
In the last week: L vs BRK, L vs LAC, L vs HOU, W vs CHI
Offensive rating: 108.6 (27th place)
Defensive rating: 117.1 (26th place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Scoot Henderson, Rising Stars
Henderson is enjoying the best stretch of his career, scoring a career-best 39 points against the Nets while notching back-to-back 20-point games for only the third time. While Henderson has thrived over the past week, Anfernee Simons has struggled through a major slump. That should be a hint to the Trail Blazers as to what may need to happen if Henderson is going to have the room he needs to be the future of the franchise.
28. Toronto Raptors (10-32)
Last ranking: 28
In the last week: W vs BOS, L at MIL
Offensive rating: 110.1 (23rd place)
Defensive rating: 117.5 (28th place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Gradey Dick, Rising Stars
It hasn’t been a good season in Toronto, and that will likely cancel Scottie Barnes’ chances of getting back to the All-Star Game despite averaging very similar numbers to last season. Dick’s efficiency leaves a lot to be desired, but he has been one of the more improved sophomores in the league this season while holding down a starting job. At the very least, that should be recognized.
GO DEEPER
Grading every Toronto Raptors player at midseason: How do you rank the unrankable?
29. Utah Jazz (10-31)
Last ranking: 26
In the last week: L vs CHA, L at NO, L at NO
Offensive rating: 111.0 (21st place)
Defensive rating: 117.8 (29th place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Keyonte George, Rising Stars
The Jazz have Will Hardy-proofed this team, as they have some of the youngest point guards in the league while Lauri Markkanen, Jordan Clarkson and John Collins rack up DNPs for various reasons. George might be better suited as a shooting guard or a reserve, but he’s the only Utah player besides Markkanen who averages more than 30 minutes per game.
30. Washington Wizards (6-35)
Last ranking: 30
In the last week: L vs PHO, L at GS, L at SAC
Offensive rating: 105.3 (30th place)
Defensive rating: 118.8 (30th place)
All-Star Weekend rep: Alexandre Sarr, Rising Stars
It’s another 10-game losing streak for the Wizards, who are halfway toward 70 losses. They are playing three rookies more than 25 minutes per game: Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington and Kyshawn George. Sophomore Bilal Coulibaly leads the team with 33.4 minutes per game. All four of those players are under 42 percent from the field. That’s how you tank. We could see all four in the Rising Stars event, though.
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(Top photo of Kyrie Irving: Ron Jenkins / Getty Images)
