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How does your NBA team look heading into the 2026-27 season? What about in 2029?
The NBA Future Power Rankings are ESPN's projection of the on-court success expected for each team over the next three seasons: 2026-27, 2027-28 and 2028-29.
To determine the rankings, we asked ESPN analysts Ben Golliver, Zach Kram, Bobby Marks and Dean Oliver to rate teams in five categories and rank them relative to the rest of the league. (An explanation of each category and a full view of all 30 teams' ratings is at the bottom of these rankings.)
Jump to a team:
ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE
DAL | DEN | DET | GS�| HOU | IND
LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN
NO�| NYK�| OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX
POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTAH�| WAS
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1. Oklahoma City ThunderThree-year outlook: The Thunder finished with the NBA's best record and point differential in each of the past two seasons, and there's no indication that the next few years will go much differently. Oklahoma City has a championship core that's still young, plus plenty of extra picks over the next few years and arguably the most respected lead decision-maker in the league in Sam Presti. The Thunder were a relatively easy choice to repeat as Future Power Rankings leaders. -- Kram
Roster question looming: The Thunder shrunk their payroll by over $300 million without touching their core players, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams, which helped Oklahoma drop below the second apron this season. With the first year of Gilgeous-Alexander's supermax extension beginning in 2027-28 and Cason Wallace rookie extension eligible, the Thunder are a second apron team if the roster returns next season. The positive, however, is that thirteen players on the current roster are under contract next season and Oklahoma City has two first-round picks. -- Marks
FPR nugget to know: At the start of the 2023-24 season, OKC was coming off a 40-42 season, but the writing was on the wall. The 2023 Future Power Rankings had them with the best draft assets, second in management, sixth in money and 10th in players, giving them the fourth-best ranking overall. That's quite consistent with them posting the best record since then. -- Oliver
Bold prediction for 2027-29:�Oklahoma City will shift from a big three to a big two because of second apron concerns. The Thunder preserved their star trio of Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Holmgren this summer by executing a series of cap-clearing trades, but more financial pain awaits next offseason. Gilgeous-Alexander's salary will spike in the 2027-28 season, forcing the Thunder to make sharp cuts to their supporting cast or consider moving Williams or Holmgren. Constructing a new-and-improved version of the 2012�James Harden�trade would help Oklahoma City maintain its depth and remain focused on its long-term sustainability.�-- Golliver
2. San Antonio SpursThree-year outlook: San Antonio boasts the best young trio in the NBA, led by the best young player in the NBA, Victor Wembanyama. There was a huge gap between the top two teams in these rankings -- the Thunder and Spurs -- and everyone else on the list, which reflects just how well positioned the reigning Western Conference finalists are for the foreseeable future. -- Kram
Roster question looming: The Spurs were potentially facing a financial crunch with extensions on the horizon for Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper. But Wembanyama electing not to include an All-NBA, MVP, Defensive Player of the Year escalator clause could save San Antonio nearly $10 million per season starting in 2027-28. As a result, San Antonio would have the financial runway to keep its core intact for the foreseeable future. -- Marks
FPR nugget to know: In the 2022 version of the Future Power Rankings, the Spurs ranked 28th. The following spring, they won the draft lottery when Wembanyama was the clear No. 1 pick. Their rankings since have been 18th, 10th, 10th and now second. That's how much one special player can change the future. -- Oliver
Bold prediction for 2027-29:�Wembanyama will win NBA Cup MVP, All-Star Game MVP, NBA MVP and Finals MVP in a single season. The Spurs' franchise player faltered in his first trip to the Finals, but he will enjoy an impossibly long runway to get his revenge given that he's only 22 years old and is surrounded by a stacked roster. Wembanyama led San Antonio to the 2025 NBA Cup championship game, and he helped set a competitive tone at the All-Star Game in Los Angeles back in February. What better way to prove he's the best player in the world than to sweep four MVP awards while winning his first championship? -- Golliver
Previous ranking: 10
3. Boston CelticsThree-year outlook: The Celtics fell in the Future Power Rankings last season because of an anticipated gap year following Jayson Tatum's Achilles tear. But Boston performed well above expectations, securing a 56-26 record before an admittedly contentious summer. The Celtics now have five consecutive seasons with 50-plus wins, and they place in the top half of our rankings in every subcategory, which explains why they're back up in third place overall. -- Kram
Roster question looming: The Celtics restocked their draft assets, picking up two valuable firsts from Philadelphia in the Jaylen Brown trade. As a result, Boston has four available firsts and Paul George's contract to use in trade discussions. The question, however, is whether Boston adds another max contract to pair with Tatum or adds multiple players to help balance the roster. -- Marks
FPR nugget to know: The Celtics are a picture of consistency across the years. In the past five seasons, their offensive efficiency has never been worse than sixth, their defense hasn't been worse than fourth and they have won 50-plus games. Their FPR was only 13th last season after three years in the top five. Despite the loss of Brown, we restore Boston's FPR to that lofty level this year. -- Oliver
Bold prediction for 2027-29:�Tatum will be the only member of the Celtics' 2024 championship team still on the roster entering the 2029-30 season. After trading Brown this summer, Boston is down to just six members of its title team: Tatum, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, Neemias Queta and Jordan Walsh. With Boston's new ownership making sharp cuts in the second apron era, the only constant has been change. -- Golliver
Previous ranking: 13
4. Houston RocketsThree-year outlook: Despite a fairly underwhelming 2025-26 campaign, Houston is still in strong position for this season and beyond. The Rockets have an enviable mix of high-upside youth and proven veterans -- including Fred VanVleet returning from injury -- and they've been one of the NBA's best front offices in terms of financial management, routinely saving money with firm negotiations on extensions. Add in an unprotected pick swap with the Nets next summer, and Houston could be back in business quite soon. -- Kram
Roster question looming: Amen Thompson just got his new deal, but what will happen with Kevin Durant if this Rockets team fails to advance past the first round again or struggles during the regular season? The soon-to-be 38-year-old has a $46 million player option next season, and Durant last season played his second-most games since 2013-14 and has not averaged fewer than 20 points since entering the NBA in 2007. -- Marks
FPR nugget to know: In January 2023, when I was a coach on the Wizards bench, I remember being down 19 points in the first half to a young Rockets team. I felt confident that we would come back and beat them because they were not just young, they were a chaotic group that didn't know how to play together.�Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr. and�Alperen Sengun�still had a lot to figure out. We did indeed come back to win. That anecdote illustrates why you should forgive ESPN for ranking the Rockets 26th in the Future Power Rankings after that season, when they ended up compiling the eighth-best record in the NBA over the following three seasons. By the eye test or numbers test, those Rockets had a long way to go. -- Oliver
Bold prediction for 2027-29:�Durant won't retire with the Rockets. The 16-time All-Star still has plenty of high-level basketball left in the tank, but it's debatable whether Houston makes sense as a long-term home. Durant's fit with Sengun�is clunky, and the 2014 MVP has drifted from team to team after two or three seasons throughout the second half of his career. Could his last dance unfold as an Oklahoma City homecoming or a storybook return to the Seattle SuperSonics if the NBA expands to 32 teams? And will Durant be the NBA's second-leading all-time scorer when he finally hangs it up? -- Golliver
5. New York KnicksThree-year outlook: New York should be very good once again in 2026-27, but the defending champs are a little less predictable three years out because of their older core and financial questions as those core players approach extension talks. Soft factors help, as the Knicks rank second in market score and fourth for management, but just as the Celtics and Thunder started disassembling their cores a year after winning the title, so too could the Knicks face some difficult questions next summer. -- Kram
Roster question looming: The Karl-Anthony Towns extension. The next contract for Towns could play a role in whether this roster stays intact for the future. Towns is eligible to sign a four-year, $272 million extension through June 30. If Towns extends or opts in to his $62.8 million player option for 2027-28, New York is $7.2 million below the second apron. The season to focus on, however, is 2028-29. That is the first season when Jalen Brunson's new contract would start. New York is $100 million below the second apron, but that's not including Towns and Josh Hart who is also eligible for an extension. -- Marks
FPR nugget to know:�The Knicks ranked third in FPR last season and won the title. In general, Finals winners have come from teams ranked in the top 10 for the season they won and the season before that. Teams that ranked in our top 10 this season and last: Oklahoma City, Houston, San Antonio, Cleveland and New York.�-- Oliver
Bold prediction for 2027-29: The Knicks will endure one of the most turbulent title defenses in recent memory. The 2020-21 Los Angeles Lakers and the 2022-23 Golden State Warriors are the only two teams in the past decade that fell short of 50 wins immediately after winning a championship. Like the Lakers and Warriors before them, last season's Knicks were one of the NBA's oldest teams when they captured the title. A championship hangover is always a concern, but it's especially difficult to keep an older team healthy and fully motivated throughout the regular-season grind. Brace for the nagging slumps that surfaced last season to reappear once the rest of the league aims at dethroning the Knicks. -- Golliver
6. Detroit PistonsThree-year outlook: The Pistons deserve considerable benefit of the doubt after landing the top seed in the East last season, and they still have plenty of draft capital to cash in if they want to chase another star. But the Pistons aren't the top Eastern Conference team on our rankings because of lingering questions about their core beyond All-NBA guard Cade Cunningham, and because they don't yet have multiple years of success like the Celtics or Knicks.�-- Kram
Roster question looming: The Jalen Duren contract negotiations are not the only pressing issue facing the Pistons. All-NBA defender Ausar Thompson is eligible to sign a rookie extension until the last day of the offseason. With Cunningham entering Year 2 of his rookie max extension, Detroit's payroll is likely to increase significantly. The positive is that Detroit has all of its first-round picks over the next seven seasons and has balanced its future salary cap. -- Marks
FPR nugget to know: In the 2022 version of FPR, ESPN's Andr� Snellings wrote, "This is likely the last time the Pistons will be as low as the 20s in the rankings, because their core of young talent looks particularly promising." He was wrong in the specifics because we kept ranking them in the 20s, even though the young players were clearly developing. It reminds us that young players can take more than three seasons to actually get good. -- Oliver
Bold prediction for 2027-29:�Cunningham will become just the sixth player in NBA history to average 25 points, five rebounds and 10 assists for a season, joining Oscar Robertson, Russell Westbrook, James Harden, LeBron James and Nikola Jokic. As the 24-year-old guard enters his prime years, the Pistons have been unable to acquire a high-level secondary playmaker to balance their offense. In other words, Cunningham's extremely heavy load won't be getting much lighter any time soon. -- Golliver
Previous ranking: 18
7. Charlotte HornetsThree-year outlook: The Hornets won 44 games last season for their best record in a decade, so they enjoyed a commensurate leap up these rankings. The offseason trades of LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges gave the Hornets one of the largest draft pick hoards in the league and showed off their front office's shrewdness. Charlotte's current player score doesn't reflect a top-10 ranking, but every other factor -- most notably incredible draft and financial flexibility -- reflects incredibly well on the Hornets. -- Kram
Roster question looming: Besides a possible extension for Brandon Miller, the big question comes down to whether Charlotte can continue preaching patience with building its roster internally or will look for help from the outside. Along with over $40 million in expiring contracts, Charlotte has eight tradeable firsts and twenty seconds in the next seven years. It acquired valuable 2033 unprotected firsts from Minnesota and Phoenix this summer.�-- Marks
FPR nugget to know: The Hornets went from No. 23 last year to No. 7 in the Future Power Rankings; their player rank went from 25 to 17 and their management rank went from 22 to 6. That combination of jumps has happened seven times in the past three seasons and 13 times in the past six seasons. And those teams have been pretty good the following season, averaging 47 wins. -- Oliver
Bold prediction for 2027-29: Kon Knueppel, the crown jewel of Charlotte's rebuild, will join Stephen Curry and Harden as the only NBA players to make at least 325 3-pointers in a season. Knueppel hit a rookie record 273 3s last season, and his usage is bound to increase substantially after Ball was traded to the Timberwolves. -- Golliver
Previous ranking: 23
8. Philadelphia 76ersThree-year outlook: LeBron James and an aging, injury-prone Joel Embiid might not help the 76ers for the entirety of the three-year span under consideration for these rankings, but they're key members for a title contender in 2026-27. And over the longer term, Tyrese Maxey and 2025 draftee�VJ Edgecombe�form one of the NBA's best young backcourts. Philadelphia doesn't have much flexibility after the Brown trade, but it now has one of the most talented rosters. -- Kram
Roster question looming: Besides Embiid's health, Philadelphia has the task of integrating seven new players, including James and Brown. While the 76ers on paper have the makings of a dynamic team offensively, there is little wiggle room now and in the future to improve if they struggle. The 76ers are $1.8 million below the first apron this season and are also pressed financially next offseason. They have one tradeable first in the next seven years but also 10 seconds. -- Marks
FPR nugget to know: The Sixers rank ... No. 6 in the player category despite having one of the most hyped starting fives in history. For comparison, Brooklyn's big three of Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden received the No. 1 such ranking in 2021. When Phoenix put Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal together in 2023, it earned the No. 4 ranking. Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton got No. 3 that year. Apparently, the FPR committee has gotten a bit skeptical of these star-packed lineups. -- Oliver
Bold prediction for 2027-29:�Maxey will show up on MVP ballots. Philadelphia's All-Star guard has been a model of continual improvement, raising his scoring average for six straight seasons and emerging as the heart and soul of the 76ers. The offseason additions of James and Brown could squeeze Maxey's role, but his reliability, durability and thrilling style of play will garner plenty of attention if Philadelphia leaps into the Eastern Conference's upper echelon. One comparison to consider as Maxey enters his age-26 season: Jalen Brunson, another guard who steadily developed from a backup into a star early in his NBA career, earned his first MVP vote in his age-26 season and finished in the top five in his age-27 campaign.�-- Golliver
Previous ranking: 19
9. Atlanta HawksThree-year outlook: After whiffing on Zaccharie Risacher with the No. 1 pick in 2024, the Hawks still need to find a top-10 player if they want to contend for a title -- or they need Jalen Johnson to make another leap to reach that rarefied air. But president of basketball operations Onsi Saleh (who notably wasn't in charge for the Risacher pick) has instilled confidence in his ability to improve his roster. Atlanta hasn't hit any home runs with recent trades, but it has patched together a strong streak of singles and doubles. -- Kram
Roster question looming: The Hawks have done a good job balancing their finances, with no player on the roster earning more than $30 million over the next three seasons. Will that change next summer when Atlanta could have significant cap space? Veterans CJ McCollum,�Luguentz Dort�and Jock Landale are on expiring contracts. -- Marks
FPR nugget to know:�The Hawks' projected starting lineup of Johnson, McCollum, Dyson Daniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Onyeka Okongwu was the second best across the league, outscoring opponents by about 19 points per 100 possessions. There is season-to-season consistency in that lineup and in the coaching staff, which can help this team be more than the sum of its parts.�-- Oliver
Bold prediction for 2027-29: The reimagined Hawks will win more games over the next three seasons than they did during the best stretch of Trae Young's Atlanta tenure. From 2020 to 2023, the Hawks went 125-111 -- an average of 43 wins across an 82-game schedule. After trading Young to the Wizards in January, Atlanta finished with a 28-15 record, which is equivalent to a 54-win pace. -- Golliver
Previous ranking: 12
10. Cleveland CavaliersThree-year outlook: The Cavaliers have gone all-in on the present, and their new starting lineup of James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Peyton Watson, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen is theoretically championship caliber. Acquiring Harden and Watson came at the cost of future flexibility, so Cleveland rates poorly by most of the subcategories in these rankings. But the most important category is current player quality, and that's the Cavaliers' best. -- Kram
Roster question looming: President of basketball operations Koby Altman has been creative in turning over the roster despite financial limitations and a lack of draft picks to trade. Now with Mitchell, Harden, Watson, Mobley and Allen under contract for at least the next three seasons, has Cleveland finally run out of options if this roster stalls? -- Marks
FPR nugget to know: The Cavs have the third-best record since the 2023 Future Power Rankings, which ranked them 11th. They already had Mitchell, Mobley and Allen for a player rank of seventh at the time. Their current core mainly differs in swapping�Darius Garland�for Harden, and their overall score is about the same. We'll see whether the FPR got it right this time. -- Oliver
Bold prediction for 2027-29: This summer's spending spree will age like cheap wine. Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert displayed his full commitment to championship contention by writing huge checks to Mitchell, Harden and Watson. While Cleveland should factor into the 2027 and 2028 title conversations, a painful reckoning lurks in the distance once Mitchell's salary skyrockets and Harden's 40th birthday approaches. -- Golliver
11. Toronto RaptorsThree-year outlook: Three factors have pushed Toronto from 20th last year to 11th in these rankings. First, Scottie Barnes enjoyed the best all-around season of his career. Second, Collin Murray-Boyles looked like a standout role player as a rookie. And third, the Raptors reacquired�Kawhi Leonard from the Clippers, giving them championship upside with their former Finals MVP back on the roster. -- Kram
Roster question looming:�Toronto faces financial hurdles for the next two offseasons. The Leonard trade will put them $2.3 million below the first apron with two roster spots to fill. Factoring in a likely extension, Toronto will have four players earning more than $27 million: Leonard, Barnes, Immanuel Quickley and Jakob Poeltl. RJ Barrett is an unrestricted free agent next summer. -- Marks
FPR nugget to know:�When Leonard went the opposite way (from Toronto to the Clippers) in 2019, the Clippers got a much bigger boost in their FPR, going from No. 21 to first, including No. 3 in management, which might have been a bad scoreboard in light of the league's recent punishment of LA. -- Oliver
Bold prediction for 2027-29:�Barnes will win a Defensive Player of the Year award. Wembanyama will be the award's heavy favorite for the next decade, but the Spurs star has averaged just 60 games per season during his three-year career. With San Antonio needing to pace itself for deep playoff runs and the NBA's 65-game rule potentially impacting Wembanyama's eligibility, Barnes should get the opportunity for some individual recognition. The 6-foot-8 forward boasts an excellent motor and Draymond Green-like versatility on the defensive end, and he led Toronto to a top-five defense last season. -- Golliver
Previous ranking: 20
12. Indiana PacersThree-year outlook: The Pacers' worst season in franchise history (with a 19-63 record) is over, and now they should be ready to return to the playoffs, with Tyrese Haliburton back from the Achilles tear he suffered in Game 7 of the 2025 Finals. There's reason for uncertainty about Haliburton, given the severity of his injury, so this ranking reflects some tempered expectations. But the Pacers' core players are just about all in their primes, so this next three-year window is the perfect time for them to contend. -- Kram
Roster question looming: The return of Haliburton and offensive fit of Ivica Zubac are the two big questions for the Pacers now and in the future. The Pacers filled a void at center with the addition of Zubac but at the cost of two first-round picks. Indiana enters the season as a projected luxury tax team for the first time since 2005-06. -- Marks
FPR nugget to know:�Among the top 20 players in total net points since his NBA debut, Haliburton has the lowest possession usage (24%) and the second-lowest plus-minus. As good as Haliburton is, he heavily relies on his teammates.�-- Oliver
Bold prediction for 2027-29:�Haliburton will top his own Pacers franchise record for assists. After missing last season, the four-time All-Star can count on his excellent feel and vision to help him get back up to speed. Haliburton dished a league-leading 752 assists in 2023-24, a Pacers record. With Zubac joining a well-oiled rotation that reached the 2025 Finals, Haliburton will have plenty of targets at his disposal in 2026-27 and beyond.�-- Golliver
Previous ranking: 15
13. Los Angeles LakersThree-year outlook: The Lakers rank 29th in the draft subcategory after dealing two unprotected first-round picks and two first-round swaps in the Walker Kessler sign-and-trade. But the current players are still good -- led, of course, by MVP candidate Luka Doncic -- and the Lakers win the market subcategory because of the attractive glitz and glamor of Los Angeles. Those factors keep the Lakers firmly in contention after the franchise's first back-to-back 50-win seasons since 2009-10 and 2010-11. -- Kram
Roster question looming: With nine new players and LeBron James no longer on the roster, can this team led by Doncic compete for a championship? The Lakers have no cap flexibility for the foreseeable and saw their draft assets stripped in the Kessler sign-and-trade. Los Angeles has no future firsts available to trade and only three seconds. -- Marks
FPR nugget to know: "Defense wins championships" is the phrase that former Dallas GM Nico Harrison used to justify trading away Doncic. The phrase is not true in an obvious way -- most championship teams are good at both -- but it might be true in this way: Teams that can ramp up defensively in the playoffs against good offenses do increase their chances at a title. Notably, Brunson won a title in 2026 without being a generally good defender in the regular season, but he was measurably better in the playoffs. Frankly, Doncic was also a better defender in the playoffs when he took the Mavs to the 2024 Finals. -- Oliver
Bold prediction for 2027-29: Even without James, Doncic will lead the most efficient offense in Lakers history. That might sound hyperbolic given the heights reached during the Showtime era and the Kobe Bryant/Pau Gasol years, but scoring has soared in recent years. The Lakers actually posted a franchise-best 118.2 offensive rating last season -- even though James, Doncic and Austin Reaves combined to miss 71 games. James' departure for the 76ers will leave a hole, but Doncic, Reaves and ultra-efficient center Kessler should serve as the new-look foundation for a devastating scoring machine.�-- Golliver
14. Miami HeatThree-year outlook: The Heat will rank near the top of the market and management subcategories for as long as they play in Miami and are led by the Pat Riley/Erik Spoelstra brain trust. They also added two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo this summer. So why are the Heat in the same spot in these overall rankings as they were last year? It's because other teams improved around them and the Heat gave up so much in the Antetokounmpo trade -- both in terms of picks and young players -- that it's unclear whether they'll enter the top tier of championship contenders before the 31-year-old Antetokounmpo exits his prime. -- Kram
Roster question looming: Similar to when Miami assembled its big three in 2010, expect a continuous process in how this roster is built over the next three seasons. While Miami does not have the draft assets to swing for another All-Star, it does have more than $70 million in tradeable contracts (Andrew Wiggins, Nikola Jovic, Bobby Portis, Davion Mitchell) available if needed this season. The Heat are over the cap next offseason but are well below the luxury tax and apron. -- Marks
FPR nugget to know: Over the past seven FPR's, Miami's management score has been the best and most consistent in the league. And ESPN's Brian Windhorst is a believer. -- Oliver
Bold prediction for 2027-29:�Antetokounmpo will unseat Dwyane Wade for the Heat's single-season scoring record. Wade averaged a franchise-record 30.2 points per game in 2008-09 before later forming a superteam with James and Chris Bosh that displayed better scoring balance. Antetokounmpo, meanwhile, topped Wade's best effort three times in his past four seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks, and he arrives in South Beach fully motivated to prove he is still one of the NBA's best players after an injury-plagued 2025-26 campaign. Don't be surprised if Antetokounmpo eclipses his own career-high of 31.1 points per game in his first season in Miami. -- Golliver
Previous ranking: 14
15. Utah JazzThree-year outlook: The Jazz already had one of the NBA's largest collections of draft picks, and it got even bigger with the Walker Kessler sign-and-trade (though they also dipped into that pile to acquire Jaren Jackson Jr.). Utah has a smart front office and decent flexibility in the years ahead. Now it's a matter of turning its potential, after years of building for the future, into actual wins. -- Kram
Roster question looming: How does this Utah team react when it's in position to play meaningful games after the All-Star break? The Jazz have four players who have appeared in the postseason: Jackson, Jusuf Nurkic, Jaxson Hayes and Josh Okogie. The Jazz also have to decide whether to extend Keyonte George before the start of the regular season or wait until next summer when he is a restricted free agent. -- Marks
FPR nugget to know: Given the Jazz were fined last season for the egregiousness of their tanking, I'd guess that at least half of their league-worst defense over the past three years was due to lack of effort. The effort should be there this year, but how should we capture it in these rankings? It seems embedded in Utah's players score, as it is the franchise's primary category that rose. -- Oliver
Bold prediction for 2027-29:�Will Hardy will win Coach of the Year by 2030. The 38-year-old Hardy is well positioned for voters who regularly reward candidates whose teams make big jumps up the standings such as New York's Tom Thibodeau in 2021, Sacramento's Mike Brown in 2023 and Oklahoma City's Mark Daigneault in 2024. The Jazz, who went 22-60 last season, have loaded up their roster with Jackson and 2026 No. 2 pick Darryn Peterson. Suddenly, Utah has a shot at climbing back into the playoffs and potentially reaching 50 wins in the next few years. -- Golliver
Previous ranking: 24
16. Minnesota TimberwolvesThree-year outlook: Minnesota ranks last in the draft category because of a number of trades -- most notably the Rudy Gobert and Ball deals -- that swapped future flexibility for win-now upside. Those gambles might pay off, if the backcourt partnership of Ball and Anthony Edwards can help Minnesota surpass the Thunder and Spurs in the West. But it's also possible that the Timberwolves still won't be good enough to reach the Finals, at which point they won't have any more ways to improve.�-- Kram
Roster question looming:�The level of success the Timberwolves have this season will certainly play a role in a new contract for Edwards. After failing to reach the supermax criteria last season, Edwards could be eligible to sign a four-year, $301 million supermax extension in the 2027 offseason if he is named All-NBA, MVP or Defensive Player of the Year. The long-term contract would put him in a Timberwolves uniform through the 2032-33 season. -- Marks
FPR nugget to know: Three years ago, three teams ranked No. 25 or lower in both the draft and money categories. Two were Milwaukee and Phoenix, teams that are now in the bottom five in this year's FPR. The other was Minnesota, which won the most of the three in that period, but is now sitting in that precipitous position again, tempting fate. -- Oliver
Bold prediction for 2027-29:�Joan Beringer�will win a Most Improved Player award by 2030. Yes, this is pretty bold: The French teenager averaged a paltry 3.9 points and 2.3 rebounds in spot minutes as a rookie. However, starting center Rudy Gobert is 34, and the Timberwolves traded forwards Julius Randle and Naz Reid in the summer.�That should give the 6-foot-11 Beringer more opportunities to learn on the job, and his athletic tools suggest he can become a difference-making presence on both ends. Fast forward a few years, and Minnesota would be delighted if Beringer, the 17th pick in the 2025 draft, develops into a frontcourt lynchpin. -- Golliver
Previous ranking: 11
17. Dallas MavericksThree-year outlook: The Mavericks rank near the middle of the pack in almost every subcategory, so they're a proper fit for the middle of the pack. On the plus side is the presence of 19-year-old Cooper Flagg, the reigning Rookie of the Year and one of the NBA's most promising prospects. On the negative side is uncertainty around Dallas' competitive window, as it's unclear when Flagg and friends will actually start pushing toward the playoffs. -- Kram
Roster question looming: What happens with Kyrie Irving? The nine-time All-Star has not played an NBA game since tearing an ACL in March 2025 and has two years remaining on his contract. With a new front office in place, is Irving on the roster next summer or is he a trade candidate in February? Irving was on pace to average at least 20 points for a ninth straight season before the knee injury. -- Marks
FPR nugget to know: In general, adding the No. 1 pick has corresponded with an uptick in a team's FPR. That wasn't true with Flagg and Dallas; with the loss of Doncic and the acquisition of Flagg, the Mavs dropped from No. 5 to 16 in the 2025 rankings. For comparison, the Spurs went from 28 to 18 when drafting Victor Wembanyama in 2023 (and their record lived up to it). -- Oliver
Bold prediction for 2027-29:�Flagg will be the first American-born MVP since Harden in 2018. Can the Mavericks forward reach the summit by 2030? That's a tough ask given that Wembanyama, Jokic, Gilgeous-Alexander and Doncic will be drawing votes for years to come. But Flagg was incredibly productive as an 18-year-old rookie, and his two-way game should quickly transform Dallas into a winner. LeBron James captured his first MVP during his age-24 season; don't be surprised if Flagg gets there at a younger age. -- Golliver
Previous ranking: 16
18. Denver NuggetsThree-year outlook: The Nuggets took one of the largest tumbles in these rankings after a disappointing first-round loss last spring. Denver still boasts one of the league's best rosters but now ranks last in the money category because it's the only team currently in the second apron, with plenty of large long-term contracts already on the books even before Nikola Jokic presumably signs a new contract next summer. -- Kram
Roster question looming: The future of Jokic will certainly hang over the franchise, especially if the Nuggets struggle this season. And if the Nuggets do not advance past the first round for a consecutive year, are there options to improve next summer? Denver picked up an unprotected 2031 first from Cleveland in the Watson trade but has three players (Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun) combining to earn more than $100 million in the next two seasons. -- Marks
FPR nugget to know:�Averaged across the past three versions of the FPR, the Nuggets have ranked No. 1 in the players category. That is the power of Jokic. At the same time, they have ranked No. 28 in money. Some of that is routine give-and-take: If you want good players, you sacrifice money. But this year, we're seeing a bit of give-and-give, with their player rank dropping to No. 7 and their money to No. 30.�-- Oliver
Bold prediction for 2027-29: The Nuggets will decide they have no choice but to split up Jokic and Murray. Denver's dynamic duo has been together since 2016, but another poor offseason has left the Nuggets at risk of backsliding further from the heights of their 2023 title. During Antetokounmpo's final years in Milwaukee, the Bucks parted with Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton and Damian Lillard as they frantically attempted to get back to their winning ways. Murray could easily become a casualty of the same desperation. -- Golliver
19. Golden State WarriorsThree-year outlook: The Warriors won just 37 games in an injury-riddled 2025-26 campaign, and now their veterans are another year older -- plus Jimmy Butler III will miss more time after tearing an ACL in January. Golden State still has roster flexibility but hasn't yet added another star to help make the most of Curry's productive post-prime period. -- Kram
Roster question looming: How does a new contract for Curry impact roster building? There is no doubt Curry will either extend or sign a new contract with Golden State. But the size of the deal will play a big role in how the Warriors shape their roster next summer. Golden State could have over $100 million in cap space next summer. That number likely shrinks to half once Curry inks a new deal. -- Marks
FPR nugget to know:�The Warriors are projected to be the NBA's oldest team this season, which is not the best formula for the Future Power Rankings. Even their first round pick,�Yaxel Lendeborg�-- he'll turn 24 this month -- is one of the oldest lottery picks in league history. Between Curry (38),�Draymond Green�(36), Butler (24) and now Lendeborg, the hope is that their age brings wisdom.�-- Oliver
Bold prediction for 2027-29:�Curry will join LeBron James as the only age-40 players to average at least 20 points. James launched that exclusive scoring club by averaging 24.4 points during the 2024-25 season, and Curry is poised to pull up a seat next to his longtime rival in 2028-29. Golden State's superstar has topped 20 points per game in each of the past 14 seasons, and his deadeye outside shooting should help him age more gracefully than smaller guards from past generations. Plus, the Warriors have struck out in their quests to land a superstar capable of taking the reins from Curry. -- Golliver
20. Portland Trail BlazersThree-year outlook: The Trail Blazers are in excellent position in future drafts, as they hold the rights to the rebuilding Bucks' first-round picks in 2028, 2029 and 2030. But some of the soft factors go against Portland in these rankings because of the actions and posturing of new owner Tom Dundon. New head coach Micah Nori, for instance, signed a contract with just one guaranteed year. -- Kram
Roster question looming:�Nori is tasked with managing playing time of a veteran backcourt: Holiday, Ja Morant and Lillard. Morant played 20 games last season, and Lillard did not play a game.�-- Marks
FPR nugget to know: It's a bit shocking that Portland had the second-worst average FPR across the past three years, just ahead of the Wizards. The Trail Blazers didn't draft particularly well in that time, but they did acquire All-Star�Deni Avdija�on a fairly inexpensive contract. (Maybe because they got him from the Wizards, the FPR didn't give a lot of credit for that.) -- Oliver
Bold prediction for 2027-29: Scoot Henderson will find success elsewhere. The 2023 No. 2 pick has had a trying time in Portland: He struggled badly as a rookie, missed most of last season because of a hamstring injury and is set to play for his third coach in four years. To make matters worse, Portland's backcourt will be even more crowded next season with Lillard and Morant. While the 22-year-old guard might never blossom into a star, he has the size and physical tools to enjoy a long career if he can land in a more stable environment. -- Golliver
Previous ranking: 22
21. Orlando MagicThree-year outlook: After another season in which the Magic's theoretically talented roster never fully meshed, it's much harder to trust that the team will ever put it all together with this core. And now the Magic are out a bunch of future picks because of the Desmond Bane trade, and staring down one of the toughest cap sheets in the league. With new head coach Sean Sweeney aboard, it's vital that Orlando contends this season. -- Kram
Roster question looming: Will future finances play a role in extension talks with Anthony Black? The Magic have been aggressive in recent years in rookie extension negotiations, signing Cole Anthony, Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero to long-term deals. But with five players earning more than $20 million next season, including three (Wagner, Banchero, Bane) getting paid north of $40 million, can Orlando afford going into the luxury tax for a second consecutive season?�-- Marks
FPR nugget to know: Three years ago, the FPR ranked Orlando No. 23. The Magic already had most of their current core in place: Banchero, Wagner, Suggs and�Wendell Carter Jr.�But the Magic had the 10th-best record in the subsequent three years to exceed expectations. Three years later and their ranks are all very similar. Are we underestimating their players and management again? -- Oliver
Bold prediction for 2027-29:�Banchero and Wagner will split up. In four seasons together, the two forwards have never led an offense that ranked higher than 18th. One obvious problem: Both are career 32% 3-point shooters. If Sweeney can't find a quick fix to unlock the offense in his first season as the Magic's coach, Orlando will struggle to avoid a fourth straight first-round playoff exit. The Magic have committed major money to Banchero, Wagner, Bane and Suggs, so maneuvering out of those tight salary cap quarters probably will require dissolving the frontcourt tandem. -- Golliver
22. Memphis GrizzliesThree-year outlook: Memphis has fully moved on from its short-lived era as one of the West's best regular-season teams, having now traded Demond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ja Morant in the past 15 months. The result is a reset roster with a lot less present-day talent, but among the most draft and cap flexibility in the entire league. But it's unclear whether that flexibility will help Memphis contend within this three-year window, or whether it will take more time for a new young group led by Cameron Boozer to coalesce. -- Kram
Roster question looming: After trading stars, Memphis ranks in the top two in draft assets and money to build its roster. But the health of Zach Edey will play a significant role in the turnaround. Since being drafted, Edey has sat out 87 games. He played only 11 last season before being sidelined by an ankle injury. -- Marks
FPR nugget to know: The Grizzlies have no rotation players remaining from three years ago when they were young and good. They have the lowest roster stability over the past three years of any team in the league. It is the main reason they fell from No. 3 in FPR in 2023 to No. 22 this season. They're at least still young, projected as the fourth-youngest roster this season. -- Oliver
Bold prediction for 2027-29:�Boozer will challenge Pau Gasol as the most productive rookie in Grizzlies history. In 2001-02, Gasol won Rookie of the Year honors by averaging 17.6 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks for a 23-win Memphis team. Boozer is replacing Morant -- another Rookie of the Year winner -- as the rebuilding Grizzlies' franchise player, so he should enjoy a large role from day one. What's more, the 19-year-old forward has the size and physicality to make an immediate impact. While Gasol's 7.6 win shares as a rookie will be hard to top, Boozer led the NCAA in that metric as a Duke freshman. -- Golliver
Previous ranking: 17
23. Washington WizardsThree-year outlook: The Wizards could have jumped up higher in these rankings, after adding Trae Young, Anthony Davis and AJ Dybantsa since last year's edition. But the Wizards still don't project as a playoff team in the East this season, and then Davis could reach free agency, so caution is still warranted when anticipating just how much Washington might improve after its infusion of star power. -- Kram
Roster question looming: Until an extension is signed, the future of Davis is the big question hanging over the organization. Eligible to sign up to a four-year, $275 million extension since Aug. 6, Davis and Washington have elected to table talks until the regular season. On the court, there were questions on building winning habits despite the addition of Young, Davis and Dybantsa. Last season, the Wizards won consecutive games only four times with no win streaks of three or more games. -- Marks
FPR nugget to know:�Over their past three seasons of failure, the Wizards have ranked either 29th or 30th in FPR's player ratings. At the same time, their overall FPR ranking was in the bottom five, so the other factors weren't making up ground. The personnel grade rose to No. 23 this year, largely due to lottery luck and finally sacrificed some of their cash advantage (second across the past three years in money) to acquire Davis and Young. -- Oliver
Bold prediction for 2027-29:�Young will surpass the Wizards' franchise record of 11.7 assists per game set by Russell Westbrook in 2020-21. After signing a $212 million contract extension this summer, Young said he looked forward to sharing the scoring load with Davis and a growing cast of recent first-round picks that includes Dybantsa, Alex Sarr and Kyshawn George. For the Wizards to accomplish their developmental goals, Young must shift into a pass-first mode and tighten up his shot selection. Picture James Harden during his stint with the Philadelphia 76ers. -- Golliver
Previous ranking: 26
24. Brooklyn NetsThree-year outlook: Like the Grizzlies, the Nets rank near the top of both the draft and money categories. But beyond the frontcourt pairing of Michael Porter Jr. and new Net Julius Randle, this is still a roster devoid of win-now talent, as Brooklyn is still primarily focused on the development of a half-dozen recent first-round picks. That timeline means it's hard to expect too many wins from this team in the near term. -- Kram
Roster question looming: Besides the internal development of a league-high eight players on first-round rookie contracts, there are questions on the future of Porter. After averaging a career high 24.2 points per game last season, Porter is in the final year of his contract and eligible to sign a four-year extension. The decision will play a significant role in the Nets' flexibility next summer. -- Marks
FPR nugget to know: The Nets are top five in both money and draft for the third straight season but bottom five in players. Usually, teams in that situation are two years away from being about average or better. But given Brooklyn's low win predictions for this season, the franchise might have actually been two years away from being two years away back in 2024 (to paraphrase Fran Fraschilla). -- Oliver
Bold prediction for 2027-29: The NBA's lottery reform will expose Brooklyn's lack of top-end talent and cripple its hopes of building primarily through the draft. In turn, the Nets will get bored of rebuilding and make an all-in play for a superstar during one of the next two summers. This is just the natural life cycle for Brooklyn, which sold the farm for Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce in 2013 and landed Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in 2019. -- Golliver
Previous ranking: 27
25. Phoenix SunsThree-year outlook: Phoenix is out of the Future Power Rankings basement after a surprising playoff berth. But the Suns' broader future doesn't look all that different now, featuring financial issues -- especially if they extend Miles Bridges -- and a barren draft cupboard, after they traded yet another unprotected first-rounder for Bridges this summer. -- Kram
Roster question looming: Since buying the team in 2023, Mat Ishbia has paid $270 million in tax penalties the past four seasons. After taking a hiatus in 2025-26, the Suns are projected to pay over $40 million this season. A possible extension for Bridges will only increase the Suns' tax burden in the future. Not including Bridges, Phoenix is $13 million below the threshold next season. -- Marks
FPR nugget to know: The Suns have ranked in the bottom six in the draft category for four straight years. That coincides quite well with their acquisitions of Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal for a collection of draft picks and swaps. Those deals compromised these assets across the next three years. -- Oliver
Bold prediction for 2027-29: Khaman Maluach is Phoenix's best hope of escaping the treadmill of mediocrity. After giving up on the Devin Booker and Durant pairing, the Suns have constructed a low-ceiling roster with veterans such as Dillon Brooks and Bridges. How does Booker, who turns 30 in October, ever get back to making noise in the playoffs? Phoenix doesn't have much in the way of young talent besides the 19-year-old Maluach, a 2025 lottery pick who played sparingly as a rookie. Still, the South Sudanese center has a massive 7-foot-1 frame and flashed 3-point range at the Las Vegas Summer League. Phoenix really needs Maluach to hit or it risks squandering the rest of Booker's prime. -- Golliver
Previous ranking: 30
26. New Orleans PelicansThree-year outlook: New Orleans was already bad last season, with a 26-56 record, and the team's current brain trust hasn't inspired much confidence with its moves (or lack thereof) since coming to power. Add in the worst market situation in the league, and New Orleans might be stuck near the bottom of these rankings for a while yet. -- Kram
Roster question looming: Unlike last season, New Orleans controls its first-round pick in 2027. The unknown is how the same returning roster that won 26 games, responds to a new head coach in Jamahl Mosley. President of basketball operations Joe Dumars and Mosley have to evaluate the upside of the roster when healthy, or whether time has run out and change is needed. Fourteen players are under contract for 2027-28, including Zion Williamson, Dejounte Murray,�Herbert Jones�and Trey Murphy III. -- Marks
FPR nugget to know: The Pelicans are tied for the worst rating in management. When looking at the bottom-five scores, the average three-year win percentage of those teams has been 38%, the equivalent of a 31-win season. (There were a handful of teams that actually got above 50%, but not many.)�-- Oliver
Bold prediction for 2027-29: The Zion era will end with little fanfare. More than seven years have passed since the Pelicans won the 2019 lottery and selected Williamson with the top pick. New Orleans has little to show for its good fortune: Williamson has played fewer than 40 games per season while dealing with multiple injuries, and he has yet to make his playoff debut. Williamson's contract is set to expire after the 2027-28 season, and New Orleans has already started accumulating its next wave of young prospects to carry the franchise into the future. Whether New Orleans trades Williamson or he eventually departs in free agency, his exit will unfortunately be a blip on the national radar. -- Golliver
Previous ranking: 29
27. Chicago BullsThree-year outlook: The Bulls' long-awaited rebuild is finally underway, so even though they're not expected to win many games over the next few seasons, at least those losses will come as part of a plan. Chicago hopes that its clean cap and appealing market can aid a turnaround once the time is right to try contending again. -- Kram
Roster question looming: Fair or unfair, the development of rookie�Caleb Wilson could play a role not only with the results on the court but whether Chicago becomes a desirable location for trade candidates and free agents. For a team rebuilding, Chicago ranks in the top 10 in three categories: market, money and draft. -- Marks
FPR nugget to know: The Bulls have been the most consistent team in the Future Power Rankings the past four seasons, including this one. Unfortunately, that consistency has been in the bottom range of the rankings. -- Oliver
Bold prediction for 2027-29:�Wilson will rank in the NBA's top 10 jersey sales by 2030. Despite a classic red uniform and lasting global popularity that dates to Michael Jordan's heyday, the Bulls haven't had a merchandise powerhouse since Derrick Rose. Wilson's high-flying game and boundless confidence will change that. -- Golliver
Previous ranking: 28
28. Milwaukee BucksThree-year outlook: After trading Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee is embarking on its first rebuild in more than a decade. But unfortunately for the Bucks, they don't control any of their first-round picks in 2027, 2028, 2029 or 2030, so they'll have to hope for internal development from players already on the roster to eventually push back up the standings. -- Kram
Roster question looming: The Bucks added multiple first-round picks in the Antetokounmpo trade, but those assets do not come to fruition until 2031 and 2033. And though the deal has brought clarity to the future, there are still questions with the roster. Tyler Herro, who is entering the final year of his contract, is extension-eligible. And could Myles Turner or Kyle Kuzma be the next veteran to be traded this season? -- Marks
FPR nugget to know: The market score is the smallest component of the overall rankings and it changes the least from year to year. That being said, the Bucks' score fell this year to its lowest level, No. 27, since peaking in 2019. The decline is a reflection of Antetokounmpo not wanting to stay there, perhaps mixed with snow that you see on the sidewalks in February. -- Oliver
Bold prediction for 2027-29: None of the Bucks' opening night starters in 2026 will still be their opening night starters in 2029. Moving on from Antetokounmpo will be a multiyear proposition, and Milwaukee will spend what figures to be a challenging 2026-27 season sifting through its roster to identify potential keepers. Outside of Ryan Rollins and 2026 lottery picks Brayden Burries and Nate Ament, Milwaukee is largely lacking in intriguing young talent. -- Golliver
Previous ranking: 21
29. LA ClippersThree-year outlook: Here's a behind-the-scenes detail of how these rankings came together: The Clippers ranked a half-dozen spots higher before the NBA handed down a draconian punishment for cap circumvention. Now they're second to last, despite a more talented roster than many of the other teams around them, because the Clippers' management, draft and market scores took such a big hit. -- Kram
Roster question looming: Who is in charge? The NBA suspended owner Steve Ballmer for one season and head of basketball operations Lawrence Frank six months. The suspension for Frank carries past the February trade deadline. With no picks at their disposal to trade, the Clippers could be in a holding position until next summer. -- Marks
FPR nugget to know: The Nets of 2018 had money, a good market and draft picks. They chose to use their picks and money to acquire Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in a push to get good fast. Until the Kawhi Leonard verdict came down, the Clippers were in a very similar situation, with money, market and picks. That Brooklyn team at least had a couple of good-not-great years before going all-in on a rebuild, but most teams didn't improve quickly. And now the Clippers have a lot fewer picks. -- Oliver
Bold prediction for 2027-29: The Clippers' run of 15 consecutive winning seasons -- the NBA's longest active streak -- will give way to a multiyear run of losing seasons due to the harsh punishments that resulted from the Leonard investigation. Though the Clippers haven't been able to capture a championship, Ballmer had flipped the script from the Clippers' dismal past in which they had a winning record only once between 1992 and 2011. Los Angeles rallied from a terrible start to squeeze out 42 wins last season, but replacing Leonard and James Harden with Brandon Ingram and Darius Garland is bound to cause some regression. The Clippers' longer-term outlook became more complicated when the NBA suspended Ballmer for a year and seized five first-round picks. -- Golliver
30. Sacramento KingsThree-year outlook: Sacramento lost 60 games in 2025-26 -- the second most in franchise history -- and now has only one playoff appearance in the past two decades, with a roster that is simultaneously noncompetitive and expensive in the short term. The franchise doesn't appear poised to return to the postseason anytime soon. -- Kram
Roster question looming: Can coach Doug Christie formulate a plan that focuses on player development at the expense of the veterans? The Kings have two distinct timelines: The first is veterans Domantas Sabonis, Malik Monk, Zach LaVine and De'Andre Hunter. The second is a group of former high draft picks headlined by Darius Acuff Jr. The good news is Sacramento ranks in the top 12 in draft assets and financial flexibility. -- Marks
FPR nugget to know: The gap between Sacramento's total score of 27 and the second-worst team at 34 is the biggest difference we've seen since at least the 2017 version of Future Power Rankings. -- Oliver
Bold prediction for 2027-29: The Kings will have the NBA's worst defense this season (and maybe again in 2027-28). Here's a depressing note: Sacramento hasn't had an above-average defense since 2005-06. During those 20 years, the Kings bottomed out on multiple occasions. They appear headed for another demoralizing campaign after ranking 28th last year. Acuff is bound to be targeted by opposing offenses and Sabonis isn't exactly a stopper. Utah and Washington were the only teams with worse defenses than Sacramento last season, and they both added notable frontcourt upgrades. -- Golliver
Previous ranking: 25
We determined that the most important category is a team's current roster and the future potential of those players. That category accounts for 60% of each NBA team's overall future power rating, the 0-100 score each team receives to determine its overall ranking.
At the same time, we looked at each team's front office and coaching staff (management; 11.67%), future draft assets (draft; 11.67), a team's spending habits and cap situation (money; 11.67%) and the reputation of the city and franchise (market; 5%)
The full ratings and rankings for every category are below.
